Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees Jul 6 2008 8:05PM
PICK: under
Your pick will be graded at: 8.5 betED
EXPERT: Ted Sevransky
TITLE: Red Sox-Yankees ESPN Winner
REASON FOR PICK: In the first three games of this series, we’ve seen a shutout and a 2-1 contest. Tonight’s game should have a similar low scoring bent, as both starters and both bullpens are in stellar current form. Throw in Laz Diaz, and his notoriously wide strike zone calling balls and strikes behind home plate (56-34 to the Under since the start of the ’06 season) and a weather forecast that calls for fairly cool conditions in the Bronx this evening and the Under here becomes a clear choice.
Tim Wakefield is an extremely streaky pitcher. When his knuckleball is dancing like it should, as it has for the last month +, Wakefield is very difficult to hit. When any starter throws seven consecutive quality starts, lasting at least seven full innings each time while allowing a grand total of eleven earned runs, he is a starter worth respecting; far better than his season long 5-6 record and 3.72 ERA would indicate. And, with Wakefield continually lasting deep into the game, many of the Red Sox current bullpen concerns are masked.
The hype on Joba Chamberlain has matched the results. In six starts since joining the Yankees rotation, Joe Girardi’s prized youngster has allowed a grand total of seven earned runs and 27 hits while striking out 32 batters. In his two years in the big leagues, opponents are hitting just .200 against Chamberlain. Meanwhile, Girardi is allowing him to pitch longer into games, even lasting into the seventh against Pittsburgh for the first time in his career, increasing his effectiveness. The Yankees bullpen behind him has improved by leaps and bounds since the start of the season, allowing a grand total of one run in 18.1 innings of work over Chamberlain’s last five starts. Anything close to that tonight and we should cash this Under ticket with relative ease. 3* Take the Under.
PICK: under
Your pick will be graded at: 8.5 betED
EXPERT: Ted Sevransky
TITLE: Red Sox-Yankees ESPN Winner
REASON FOR PICK: In the first three games of this series, we’ve seen a shutout and a 2-1 contest. Tonight’s game should have a similar low scoring bent, as both starters and both bullpens are in stellar current form. Throw in Laz Diaz, and his notoriously wide strike zone calling balls and strikes behind home plate (56-34 to the Under since the start of the ’06 season) and a weather forecast that calls for fairly cool conditions in the Bronx this evening and the Under here becomes a clear choice.
Tim Wakefield is an extremely streaky pitcher. When his knuckleball is dancing like it should, as it has for the last month +, Wakefield is very difficult to hit. When any starter throws seven consecutive quality starts, lasting at least seven full innings each time while allowing a grand total of eleven earned runs, he is a starter worth respecting; far better than his season long 5-6 record and 3.72 ERA would indicate. And, with Wakefield continually lasting deep into the game, many of the Red Sox current bullpen concerns are masked.
The hype on Joba Chamberlain has matched the results. In six starts since joining the Yankees rotation, Joe Girardi’s prized youngster has allowed a grand total of seven earned runs and 27 hits while striking out 32 batters. In his two years in the big leagues, opponents are hitting just .200 against Chamberlain. Meanwhile, Girardi is allowing him to pitch longer into games, even lasting into the seventh against Pittsburgh for the first time in his career, increasing his effectiveness. The Yankees bullpen behind him has improved by leaps and bounds since the start of the season, allowing a grand total of one run in 18.1 innings of work over Chamberlain’s last five starts. Anything close to that tonight and we should cash this Under ticket with relative ease. 3* Take the Under.
