MLB Predictions Preview …The torrid New York Yankees, winner of seven straight games, will try to steal another road game against arch rivals the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park today. The Yanks will send veteran left hander Andy Pettitte to the mound in this one. Pettitte is 11-7 this season with a 3.86 ERA. Knuckler Tim Wakefield will toe the rubber for Boston. The Red Sox right hander has a 3.69 ERA to go along with a 6-7 record this season.
MLB Predictions Betting Line … Oddsmakers at online super sportsbook Bodog (Bodoglife.com) currently have the Red Sox listed as -123 money line favorites with a 9-run total. The Yankees are getting EVEN money line odds as a road underdog.
Pettitte didn't make many mistakes in his eight innings against Oakland on Sunday, giving up four hits with no walks, the lone run coming in the sixth. But he retired the side in the next two innings, part of six 1-2-3 frames. Pettitte struck out five of the first 11 hitters in the 114-pitch outing. The Yankees had a reliever warming up in the bullpen in the seventh and eighth innings, but they didn't need them.
Wakefield has been one of the most consistent starters in the American League this season. Of late, he has delivered machine-like consistency, going at least seven innings in nine of his last 10 starts and giving up three earned runs or less in all but one of those outings. In four July starts, Wakefield is 1-2 with a 2.96 ERA. Wakefield took the loss in his last start, giving up six hits and four runs over seven-plus innings against the Angels. This is his second start against the Yankees this season. On July 6, Wakefield took a no-decision, giving up four hits and three runs over 6 1/3 innings.
Jason Giambi drove in the only run of the night as the Yankees defeated the Red Sox 1-0, as +125 underdogs. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Joba Chamberlain tossed seven complete innings for the win, and Mariano Rivera notched his 26th save.
Josh Beckett gave up the lone run over seven innings in the loss.
The Red Sox were favored at -135 in that game.
MLB Game Prediction … Yanks are hot but we still like the Red Sox at home (-123 ml) in this one.
