Beckett returns for BoSox in Seattle

Baseball Betting Lines

07/23/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox could use a boost on their current road trip and will get just that tonight when the ballclub is expected to activate ace Josh Beckett from the disabled list.

Beckett hasn't pitched since May 18 at Yankee Stadium because of a nagging lower back injury and will make his ninth start of the season in the second portion of a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners. With plenty of rest and a few rehab assignments for Triple-A Pawtucket, the Red Sox feel Beckett is ready to face major league hitters.

The right-hander and 2003 World Series MVP is 1-1 with a 7.29 earned run average this season and did not figure into the decision of a 7-6 win over New York back in mid-May. Beckett was bothered by his back and lasted just 4 2/3 frames, allowing five runs -- three earned -- and five hits. In four road starts this season, Beckett is 1-0 and the Red Sox are 3-1 in those games.

In five career starts against Seattle, Beckett is 4-1 with a 3.15 earned run average. Beckett, signed to a $68 million extension in April, previously faced the Mariners in a 5-3 win at Safeco Field on May 16, 2009, when he gave up three runs, two earned, and four hits in seven innings.

Boston just hopes Beckett can come out of this game healthy and pitch the club back into the playoff race. John Lackey came within four outs of a no-hitter in last night's 8-6 win in 13 innings at Safeco Field and allowed one unearned run on two hits with six strikeouts in eight frames. Manny Delcarmen blew the lead in the ninth by allowing four runs -- three earned -- and two hits.

The Mariners rallied to tie the score at 6-6 with five runs in the ninth, but Eric Patterson stroked a two-run double in the top of the 13th to put the Red Sox ahead for good. Bill Hall and J.D. Drew both hit two-run homers and Marco Scutaro belted a solo shot for the Red Sox, who won for the third time in eight contests and is 2-2 on a 10-game road trip.

"Sometimes the game will do it to you," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "You're up, you're down. You try not to get that way because if you do, as frustrating as the ninth was, you end up losing. We can't do that. We've got to find a way to win and we did."

Kevin Youkilis finished with three hits in the win and scored the go-ahead run in the 13th inning. Boston will also visit the LA Angels of Anaheim on the trek and is seven games behind the New York Yankees for the AL East lead. It is four games behind Tampa Bay in the Wild Card standings.

Seattle had a ninth inning to remember last night, plating five runs to knot the score at six apiece. Franklin Gutierrez started the rally with a two-run homer and later Casey Kotchman doubled home Jose Lopez. After Jack Wilson grounded into a fielder's choice to plate Milton Bradley, Ryan Langerhans, who was pinch running for Kotchman, scored the tying run on Hall's throwing error.

Boston reliever Ramon Ramirez posted his second save with a 1-2-3 ninth in the bottom of the 13th inning. Ryan Rowland-Smith started for Seattle and was reached for five runs and eight hits in six innings, while Garrett Olson suffered the loss for allowing two runs over two innings of work.

"I am awfully proud of the way we battled," Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said on the team's website. "We came off a walk-off [Wednesday night against the White Sox], and to be in a situation to do it back-to-back nights doesn't happen very often. To let it go is heartbreaking."

The Mariners, who are 4-15 this month, will turn to Jason Vargas tonight and he is 0-2 with a 4.13 earned run average in his last four starts. Vargas hasn't posted a decision in consecutive trips to the hill and last pitched in Sunday's 2-1 road win against the LA Angels of Anaheim.

Vargas had an excellent day on the mound, as he held the Halos to a run and four hits with nine K's over 7 2/3 innings. He has allowed just one run in each of his last two starts, throwing at seven innings in each appearance.

The left-hander, who is 5-1 in 10 home starts, will face Boston for the first time this season and second time in his career. In a 3-2 win over the Red Sox on May 17 last season, Vargas did not figure into the decision after giving up two runs -- one earned -- on seven hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings.

The Red Sox and Mariners are meeting for the first time since Seattle won four of six matchups a year ago. Boston, however, is 8-4 in the past 12 contests in this series.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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