First the recap went 2-0 yesterday winning easy with the Cubs and Braves. Angels lost for the second time in a row to a triple a team to blow my 4 team parlay, but it was still a monster day. Let's keep this train moving, I have put in extensive work on tonight's card. I will be honest, this card was tough I had to go through every game to find that right play. Looking at this Indians/Red Sox game, will the Red Sox really lose again to this team? My gut is telling me no way. We have Josh Tomlin going for the Indians and Dice-K going for the Red Sox. Let's talk about Tomlin first. Since being traded from the Rockies he has had 2 starts. He got the win on July 27th against the Yankees with an impressive 7 inning outing only giving up 3 hits and 1 run. He then pitched against the Blue Jays and got a no decision. His starts have been solid, but I think it's time for him to come back down to Earth and this Red Sox team is the perfect recipe for that. I wish I had more on this guy, but there isn't much out there. Let's talk about Dice-K now. He is 7-3 on the year with a 4.22 ERA. In his last 3 starts his is 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA. Dice-K owns the Indians plain and simple. In his last 3 career starts against them he has given up a total of 4 runs and has strung together 3 straight wins. His most recent start against the Injuns, back in June was fantastic. He lasted 8 innings, giving up only 4 hits and did not give up a run. I expect that same effort tonight from Mr. Matsuzaka. Indians are going to have a tough time scoring tonight.
The umpire in today's game is Bill Welke. He is a pretty consistent umpire, home teams have won 8 of his 18 starts, and the over under is dead even at 9-9. However, the Red Sox have had some nice success with Mr. Welke behind the plate. Red Sox are 4-0 in their last 4 games with Welke behind home plate. Home team is 5-0 in Welkes last 5 Thursday games behind home plate vs. Cleveland. As I looked into the match up, I started to like the Red Sox even more. Indians are 15-36 in their last 51 road games vs. a right-handed starter (29%). They are also 4-14 in their last 18 during game 4 of a series. They also don't like Thursday's much as they are 1-4 in their last 5 Thursday games. Found some overwhelming angles to support the Red Sox tonight as well. Red Sox are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a loss. Red Sox are 11-2 in Matsuzakas last 13 home starts vs. a team with a losing record. Red Sox are 14-3 in Matsuzakas last 17 starts vs. American League Central. Red Sox are 45-20 in Matsuzakas last 65 starts (69%). And as stated earlier, the Red Sox are 4-1 in Matsuzakas last 5 starts vs. Indians. Pretty strong numbers there, hard for me to ignore the Red Sox today. I know they have looked like shit, but tonight is the night they break out and send the Indians home losers. Dice-K will shut the Injuns down and the Red Sox bats will not be silent tonight. I see them getting at Tomlin fast and early. I see the Red Sox scoring 5-7 runs in this game. Anybody think the Indians will score more? I don't lay that type of juice but I will happily back the Red Sox on the run line at even money. As always I wish my friends here the best of luck tonight and hope you pull a profit. Fade or play, best of luck guys!
Boston Red Sox -1½ (+100)
Risking 200 to Win 200