The Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox will square off at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati Sunday in the rubber game of a three game inter league series. The Red Sox will start their ace RHP Josh Beckett (6-4, 4.22 ERA) while RHP Homer Bailey (0-2, 6.30 ERA) will counter for the Reds. MLB Betting oddsmakers at online sportsbook SportsBetting.com have installed the Red Sox as 147-moneyline favorites with a 9-run total.
Bailey was roughed up for five runs on eight hits over just 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday. He also walked three, struck out two and gave up two home runs. Bailey threw 76 pitches while on the mound, with 42 of them going for strikes. He has never faced the Red Sox.
Josh Beckett still isn't a pitcher that batters look forward to facing, as evidenced by the fact he is holding opponents to a .244 average. Beckett is also striking out 9.46 batters per nine innings. Because the Red Sox will be playing in a National League park, Beckett will be able to break out his bat again. He went 2-for-11 last year with a double. Two years ago, Beckett hit a home run — the second of his career — against the Phillies. Beckett has pitched just twice against the Reds in his career, going 0-2 with a 14.14 ERA.
Kevin Youkilis and Coco Crisp homered in the 10th inning to help the Red Sox defeat the Reds 6-4 on Saturday, as +140 underdogs. The 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Youkilis finished 3-for-5 at the plate for the Red Sox. Jonathan Papelbon got the win in relief, while Craig Hansen collected the save.
Brandon Philips went 2-for-5 at the plate with a solo home run for the Reds, who were favored at -155 by oddsmakers. Mike Lincoln gave up two home runs to suffer the loss.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Betting pick: Red Sox 147 ML
