Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays Betting Odds & Picks: October 18th 2008

Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays o9.0 (100) MLB Betting Odds - Saturday October 18th ‘08 8:05p
Not too many people expected this ALCS to return to Tampa when the Tampa Bay Rays led the Boston Red Sox 7-0 at the seventh inning stretch in Game 5, but here we are. Still, as demoralizing as that loss can potentially be, the Rays have continued to pummel Boston pitching since being shut out in Game 1, and we do not expect that to change here tonight vs. the struggling Josh Beckett. Beckett is obviously hurting, and he has not helped the Red Sox at all in the post season, allowing eight earned runs in just 4.1 innings vs. these Rays in Game 2 of this series after allowing four earned runs and a whopping 13 baserunners in just five innings in his only ALDS start vs. the Los Angeles Angels. Do not expect Beckett to suddenly get well here vs. a Tampa Bay team that has now scored at least seven runs in each of the last four games. At the same time the Red Sox showed the heart of a champion when coming back in Game 5, and even with the tough James Shields on the mound, you have to expect Boston to put a few runs on the board to held contribute to this Over. Considering the way the Rays are hitting and Beckett is pitching, just a few runs by the Sox should be enough to ensure a safe Over here. MLB Free Playoff Picks: Red Sox, Rays Over 9 (+100) - Courtesy of LT Profits