MLB Odds: Red Sox Go for Sweep at Angels

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

by Bodog Sportsbook

The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels entered this week’s three-game set both very much needing a series win and certainly neither team could afford to be swept as both try to get back into their division and wild-card races. Thus Wednesday afternoon’s game is arguably bigger for the Halos as they try to avoid the sweep by Boston. Both teams are -110 on Bodog’s MLB odds.

Today’s game ends a 10-game road trip for Boston, which is 5-4 so far. The Red Sox have scored eight of their 11 runs after the sixth inning in the series' first two games to improve to 6-0 against the Angels this season. About the only bad news was that outfielder J.D. Drew was scratched before Tuesday’s game with a left hamstring strain. He will be examined by a doctor today and won’t play. Drew is hitting .268 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs and likely will be replaced by Darnell McDonald again.

Los Angeles is about dead in the water, having lost six of seven and now 8 1/2 games behind Texas in the American League West and 11 behind wild card-leading Tampa Bay. The Angels would drop to .500 with a loss today.

Boston starts Josh Beckett (1-1, 6.66 ERA) in just his 10th start of the season due to injuries. He returned from the DL last week and allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings against Seattle. Beckett is 2-3 with a 4.13 ERA against the Angels. Los Angeles starts Joel Pineiro (10-7, 4.18) who was pushed back two days because the Halos wanted Dan Haren to pitch Monday’s game. Pineiro was hit hard in his last start, allowing six runs and 11 hits in a 10-6 loss to the Yankees on July 21. He faced Boston at Fenway Park on May 5, allowing two runs in six innings of a 3-1 loss.

Get your Red Sox-Angels odds and props at Bodog Sportsbook