MLB Betting: Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Picks: May 9th 2009

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Free Pick: Boston -135 over Tampa Bay - May 9th 2009
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Two of the better lefties in the league battle today at Fenway Park in the second of a three game set between the Sox and Rays. Boston rallied for a 7-3 win last night behind home runs by Jason Bay and JD Drew in the 6th inning off of Tampa starter James Shields. Brad Penny had his best start of the year for the Sox, moving his record to 3-1 in 2009 despite an ERA over 6.00.
 
Jon Lester goes to the hill for the BoSox, coming off of a really great performance at Yankee Stadium this past Monday. Lester is only 2-2 with a 5.11 ERA, but he has been much better his last few starts. Look for a real good effort from Lester this afternoon, as he continues his great pitching against the Rays (4-1 lifetime) David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the lineup last night after missing a few games, but Kevin Youkilis remains sidelined with an oblique injury.
 
Scott Kazmir has struggled all year for the Rays. He’s 3-3 with a 6.00 ERA in 6 starts. The concern as we see it is his strikeouts are way down from previous years. He’s suffered from arm problems throughout his career and we hope that he’s not hiding an injury. He’s one of the best in the game and we expect a turnaround, but not just yet.

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