It’s do or die for Red Sox in ALCS

Oct. 18, 2007 By Rob Gerein

The Boston Red Sox, who until this week were the top pick to win the World Series, will try to stave off elimination tonight when they face the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field in Game 5 of the ALCS.

The Red Sox will start ace righthander Josh Beckett, who is 22-7 this season with a 3.13 ERA. The Indians will counter with ace C.C. Sabathia. The lefty has a 3.49 ERA to go along with a 20-8 record this season.

Bet this game at Sportbet, which has the Red Sox as 123-moneyline favorites and the over/under at 8.

The Indians scored seven runs in the fifth inning of Tuesday's Game 4 en route to a 7-3 win over the Red Sox and a 3-1 lead in the ALCS. The Indians won the game at -105 odds, and the 10 runs were a push against the over/under of 10.

Johnny Peralta belted a three-run homer and Casey Blake also homered for the Indians. Paul Byrd allowed six hits and two runs over five innings in the win. Kevin Youkilis was 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run for the Red Sox. Tim Wakefield surrendered five hits and five runs over 4 2-3 innings in the loss.

Boston and Cleveland both had 96-66 SU records this season.

The total has gone under in four of Boston's past six games on the road against Cleveland. Boston is 2-4 SU in its past six games against Cleveland, and 3-6 SU in its past nine games on the road. Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its past five games at home.

In other betting trends, the Red Sox are 6-1 in their past seven road games against a left-handed starter, and are 24-8 in their past 32 Thursday games. The Red Sox are 14-3 in Beckett's past 17 starts as a road favorite.

The Indians are 4-0 in their past four playoff home games. The Indians are 5-0 in their past five games as a home underdog, and are 4-1 in their past five games against a right-handed starter.

» Sports, Gambling and Betting Articles Archive «