Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Betting Pick: August 6th 2009

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees 7:05 ET
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The most touted online betting match-up in all of baseball takes center stage at BetUS Sportsbook on Thursday night when the Boston Red Sox (62-44, +$383) make their second trip to new Yankees Stadium to do battle with the New York Yankees (65-42, +$137). After winning their first three games of this current nine-game road trip against the Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox got swept in its two-game short series at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays. The pair of defeats dropped them to an even .500 on the road where they’ve cost their MLB betting backers $320 overall; Boston’s 3-7 its L/10 road games (-$530). They currently lead the Texas Rangers by three-games in the Wild Card race, but trail tonight’s opponent by 2.5-games in the AL East.

The Yankees enter tonight’s baseball betting contest winners of three in a row after they just swept their two-game series north of the border against the Toronto Blue Jays. Last night’s victory allowed its betting backers to claw into the green for the second time this season. At home, the Yankees are 35-17 overall (+$168) and they’re 9-1 (+$589) in the house that Steinbrenner built since the All Star Break. As already mentioned, they own a 2.5-game lead over the Red Sox and a 5.5-game lead over the Rays for the top spot in the division. Boston’s won all eight of the 2009 meetings and boasts a 9-0 record in this rivalry dating back to last season.

Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees currently sit as gargantuan -210 home favorites against John Smoltz and the Red Sox for the series opener; the ‘total’ sits at 10 under -120 per the current BetUS MLB odds.

John Smoltz gets the call for the eighth time this season; this will be his first taste of the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry as a member of Boston. The cagey vet just hasn’t looked like himself at all this season as none of his seven starts were of the quality variety. He’s given up 17 ER’s combined his L/3 starts, and made it through six innings in just one of those outings. The Red Sox are 1-3 in his four road starts where he owns a poor 7.40 ERA & 1.40 WHIP with a K/BB ratio of 14/2. He picked up a pair of no decisions in his two career starts against the Yankees.

Joba Chamberlain comes into the 21st start of his respective ’09 season in his best form since being called up to the Bigs. The fire-balling righty is a perfect 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA and 0.74 WHIP with a K/BB ratio of 19/8 since the All Star break. He toyed with the Rays offense at “The Trop” his last time out limiting them to just three hits and no runs through eight spectacular innings of work. The Yankees have won each of his L/4 starts at home. Joba’s 1-1 with a 3.00 Era & 1.38 WHIP in four career starts vs. Boston.

The $$$-Line might look asinine to some considering this is a Red Sox/Yankees rivalry game, but it’s this high for a reason. Boston’s in bad shape after it depleted its bullpen the last couple days against the Rays and Smoltz won’t be long for this one. Joba’s got a score to settle with the BoSox after failing to scratch a win against them in two previous starts this year. No better time than now for the Yanks to grab their first win in the ’09 series. This one could get ugly!

Rose’s Recommendation: 3* New York Yankees (-1.5) -110 (Smoltz/Chamberlain)
(Rating Scale: 1* – 5*)