Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays ALCS Game 6 Pick

Saturday, 18 October 2008

Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays ALCS Game-6 Pick: The Boston Red Sox got what they wanted in forcing a sixth game in the American League Championship Series with the Tampa Bay Rays to be played Saturday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. With hopes of forcing a seventh and final game, the Red Sox pin their hopes on Josh Beckett. The veteran right hander Beckett is no stranger to playoffs pressure is known as Mr. Clutch; however, hasn’t been as effective this October due to injury. Right hander James Shields gets the chance to pitch the Rays to an American League championship and a spot in the World Series when he takes the mound against the Red Sox. Shields finished the regular season with a 14-8 record and 3.56 ERA. In the playoffs Shields is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook SBGglobal.com list the Rays as -137 money line favorites with a 9 total. Boston backers are getting +117 money line odds.

Shields got tagged with the loss in Game 1 of the ALCS despite a quality start that saw him allow two runs on six hits with two walks while striking out six in 7 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander's best pitch has always been his changeup, but he also has a plus fastball and curve and he's added a cutter that has helped him throw inside to left-handers. He was originally scheduled to start Game 5, but manager Joe Maddon switched on the off day following Game 4.

Beckett, who has built a reputation as a postseason hero, has been hit hard this October. Most recently, the Rays pounded him for nine hits and eight runs over 4 1/3 innings in Game 2. Beckett took the no-decision in that game, which the Red Sox lost in 11 innings. In Game 3 of the Division Series against the Angels, Beckett lasted just five innings, giving up nine hits and four runs. That was also a no-decision in an extra-inning loss. Lifetime in LCS play, Beckett 3-0 with a 4.30 ERA in six outings, five of which were starts. In the postseason, he is 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA.

The Red Sox, down seven runs in the seventh inning in Game 5, rallied for 7 runs to tie then winning the game in the ninth when J.D. Drew singled in the winning run.

The Red Sox, who twice this decade rallied from 3-1 deficits to win the pennant and then the World Series, have a chance to do it an unprecedented third time in five years when the series resumes in Tropicana Field.

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