The American League East front runners Boston Red Sox need a win tonight at Fenway Park to take the three game series from the Baltimore Orioles and post a 7-2 homestand. After getting a quality start and winning decision from Bartolo Colon on Wednesday, the Sox look to lefty Jon Lester (4-3, 3.50 ERA) for another quality start in this game. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (3-6, 3.40 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Orioles. MLB Picks oddsmakers at online sportsbook SportsBetting.com currently have the Red Sox listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game's total is sitting at 9½.
In a game that will be remembered for Coco Crisp charging Rays starter James Shields, Jacoby Ellsbury injuring his wrist and Manny Ramirez driving in five runs before leaving the game in the eighth nursing his right hamstring, Jon Lester quietly shut down the Tampa Bay lineup. Lester scattered eight hits over 6 1/3 innings, giving up just one run and striking out five. It was his first win in three starts since his May 19 no-hitter against Kansas City, and the young lefty turned in a strong performance in the 7-1 stomping of the Rays.
Guthrie completed seven innings for the sixth time this season in his most recent start. The right-hander also had his first four-run lead of the year and made it stand up. Guthrie has given up two earned runs or less eight times in his first 15 starts of the year.
Jason Varitek belted a three-run homer to lead the Red Sox to a 6-3 win over the Orioles on Wednesday, as -155 favorites. The game's nine runs slipped UNDER the posted total (10).
Bartolo Colon allowed one run and whiffed seven batters over six innings for the win.
Kevin Millar and Luke Scott drove in the runs for the Orioles, who were +145 underdogs. Garrett Olson was rocked for six runs over 5 1-3 innings in the loss.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Picks: Red Sox -145 ML
