Boston goes for the series sweep today at Philadelphia and they have been batting the ball around with 16 runs and 24 hits the opening two games. The Red Sox also drew 11 walks in last nights 11-6 rout, and Boston has won six straight road games for their longest road winning streak in four years. Boston is up to a –130 road favorite and with Beckett’s dominating pitching performances recently the Red Sox are also a strong favorite on the 5-inning line today.
Here is my Sportsmemo Newsletter best bet provided a week ago in advance on the Red Sox…below. Philadelphia does have the second best day record in the NL this year, but are hitting just .253 during the day. Phillies starter A.J. Happ took a no-decision last Tuesday in Philadelphia’s loss at NY against the Mets, but he does have the lowest opponents batting average (.195) among National League (NL) rookies. If they can manage some base runners against Beckett, perhaps they can manufacture some runs as Philadelphia has the highest stolen base percentage (82%) in the NL while ranking fourth in steals. They led the majors in stolen base percentage the last two years. Also, Philadelphia is the best in the field, as they lead all major league teams with a .990 fielding percentage while committing the fewest errors (22).
Boston’s Josh Beckett has now allowed just one (1) run over his last 33+ innings pitched following last Tuesday’s six shutout inning performance at home against the Yankees in a 7-0 win. Beckett allowed just one hit and struck out eight against the Yanks. Beckett ranks third in the AL with an average of 109 pitches per game and he’s supported by the majors top bullpen (2.85 ERA). Remember that Boston manager Terry Francona was the Phillies manager ten season’s ago (1997-2000) and was 285-363 in 3+ seasons.
Two of the Majors top teams and lineups battle early Sunday at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia, and we’ll back the Boston bats and pitcher Josh Beckett. Both teams and lineups rank in the top-5 in OPS with some feared sluggers and bats, but Philadelphia dominates and does more damage against southpaws. Today they will face one of the top right handers in Josh Beckett, who has been brilliant his last three starts while tossing a total of 22 innings and allowing just one earned run, ten hits with 22 K’s against some quality hitters and lineups of the Mets, Twins and Tigers. Boston’s bullpen is also the best in the majors with an ERA under 2.75. Surprisingly, the World Champion and 1st place Phillies have a sub .500 record at home, and Sunday’s starter J.A. Happ (4-0) may well have suffered his first loss having faced Johan Santana and the Mets on Tuesday. Happ makes just his firth start of the season and 10th of his career, and the left hander owns an ERA under 2.50. However, two of his three starts were at Petco Park against the Padres league worst lineup and against the National’s at home. Much tougher task here against the Boston bats and we’ll ride the Red Sox and Beckett in Sunday’s series finale.
