MLB Playoff Betting Preview

Josh Beckett and John Lackey matchup in the first game of the American League division playoffs as the Red Sox host the Angels. Beckett is 2-2 in his career in the playoffs with a 2.11 ERA in six appearances with the Florida Marlins. "There's nothing like pitching in the playoffs and being a part of that, and contributing and trying to help a team win a world championship," Beckett said, "It's the ultimate goal." SBG Global reports that early betting has the public taking the favored Red Sox at Home.

Lackey is 2-0 in the playoffs with a 2.42 ERA in five appearances. "John knows what you have to do to go out and win quote-unquote big games," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, "You're not always going to have the sun shining on you. There's a certain mind-set, and John has it. He wants to be that guy you can count on."

Beckett went 20-7 with a 3.27 ERA on the season while Lackey was 19-9 with a 3.01 ERA for the Angels. Beckett went 4-1 with a 3.18 ERA in five September starts while Lackey had a 1.23 ERA in his last three starts. Lackey has not pitched well in his career against Boston. He is 1-6 with a 6.27 ERA including 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA in two starts this year.

Boston swept Los Angeles in a division series in 2004, the same year they won their first World Series in 86 years. The Angels do well against the Yankees but have struggled against Boston so this is not a good matchup for them. The Angels are only 10-19 at Fenway Park. "I think there is a lot being said about how we play in Boston," Scioscia said. "The bottom line is how we play the game."

SBG Global Current Line: Red Sox -165, Total 8.5 Over (-115)

Here is a look at the betting statistics for Wednesday’s game. The Angels are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. the American League East. The Angels are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a road underdog. The Angels are 12-5 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record. The Angels are 4-9 in their last 13 Wednesday games. The Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Angels are 2-5 in their last 7 playoff road games. The Angels are 2-8 in their last 10 playoff games as an underdog. The Angels are 12-3 in Lackey's last 15 road starts. The Angels are 7-3 in Lackey's last 10 starts as a road underdog. The Angels are 11-5 in Lackey's last 16 starts vs. the American League East. The Angels are 6-18 in the last 24 meetings in Boston. The Angels are 1-6 in Lackey's last 7 road starts vs. the Red Sox.

The Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 playoff home games. The Red Sox are 6-2 in their last 8 games as a home favorite. The Red Sox are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. the American League West. The Red Sox are 4-1 in Beckett's last 5 starts. The Red Sox are 19-7 in Beckett's last 26 starts as a favorite. The Red Sox are 10-4 in Beckett's last 14 starts vs. the American League West.

The Under is 4-1 in the Angels last 5 Divisional Playoff games. The Under is 4-1 in the Angels last 5 overall. The Over is 5-2 in the Angels last 7 games as an underdog. The Over is 5-2 in the Angels last 7 games as a road underdog. The Under is 5-2 in the Angels last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 4-0 in Lackey's last 4 starts as a road underdog. The Under is 4-1 in Lackey's last 5 starts overall. The Under is 4-1-1 in Lackey's last 6 road starts. The Under is 6-2 in Lackey's last 8 starts vs. the American League East. The Over is 5-1 in Lackey's last 6 road starts vs. the Red Sox.

The Over is 6-1-1 in the Red Sox last 8 vs. the American League West. The Over is 4-1-1 in the Red Sox last 6 Divisional Playoff games. The Under is 4-1-1 in the Red Sox last 6 playoff games. The Under is 8-3-1 in the Red Sox last 12 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 4-1-1 in Beckett's last 6 starts vs. the American League West. The Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings between the two teams and the Over is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings in Boston.

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