Boston at Philadelphia MLB Picks – May 21, 2010: The Philadelphia Phillies who own the best record in the National League at (25-15) enter into Interleague Play this weekend by hosting the Boston Red Sox, a team that has tormented the Phillies in the past. Since Charlie Manuel became the Philadelphia manager in 2005, they are 3-12 against the Red Sox. For Friday's game, Red Sox right-hander John Lackey (4-2, 4.86 ERA) faces Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.29 ERA) in what should be a good matchup in the series opener at 7:10 p.m. ET.
MLB oddsmakers list the Phillies as -140 odds favorites on the BetUS.com moneyline with a 9-run total. Red Sox backers are getting +120 odds as a road underdog. BetUS also lists the Phillies as -220 odds favorites to win the three game series at Citizens Bank Park.
Hamels was one strike away from throwing six scoreless innings Sunday against the Brewers, but he allowed back-to-back solo homers to Casey McGehee and Gregg Zaun to spoil his night. Hamels still finished with a nice line — he allowed six hits, two runs and three walks and struck out three in 6 2/3 innings — but he knew it could have been better. Still, Hamels has a 3.20 ERA in three starts in May, a sign that he could be putting things together.
Lackey is coming off a mediocre start at Detroit, where he gave up nine hits and five runs over seven innings in a loss. Lackey's last two starts have been below expectations. He earned a win against the Blue Jays on May 10, but didn't pitch particularly well, giving up eight hits and six runs over six innings. Opponents are hitting .284 against him. Lackey has made three road starts this season, going 1-1 with a 3.91 ERA. This will be his first career start at Philadelphia. He won his only career start against the Phillies, giving up five hits and one run over 5 1/3 innings.
Interleague play has not been kind to the Phillies, going 309-51 since its inception. Philadelphia entered Wednesday with a 4.32 ERA since the end of the 2004 season. The club has a 5.38 ERA against the AL. The Phils have hit .265 with a .343 on-base percentage, a .443 slugging percentage and averaged 5.16 runs per game since 2004. But against the AL, they have hit .249 with a .324 OBP, .413 SLG and averaged 4.42 runs per game.
Still, this is one of the strongest Phillies teams ever and even bad streaks eventually come to an end. The Phillies are the best pick against a Boston team that has struggled in the early going in 2010.
Bet on sports at online sportsbook BetUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
