0-0 YTD
Best of luck to everyone this year.
3* Boston Red Sox (Beckett) -128
Sabathia's poor spring has been well documented. And most other pitchers, I wouldn't be too worried. But Sabathia is a guy who has had weight issues in his career, showing a tendency to take it easy in the offseason. And after winning a world series, I wouldn't doubt that his poor spring hangover was a result of him suffering a letdown. His last outing he got shelled, and his stuff is very hittable right now. Assuming he can walk into Fenway and be on top of his game enough to outduel Beckett is asking a bit much here.
Sabathia has always been a pitcher that you want to fade on the road vs. predominant right handed hitting lineups anyway. And that's basically what we have here tonight at Fenway vs. a mostly right handed/switch hitting Red Sox lineup. I'm not a huge fan of the additions of Cameron, Scutaro, etc, but I think there is enough here to put up enough runs on CC.
Beckett has been a historical slow starter who settles into the season after 4-5 starts. But I think this year is a little different as Beckett (a money driven guy) is negotiating his contract extension, and nothing would seal the deal more than a big home win vs. the defending champ Yankees in front of the Red Sox faithful.
Beckett has been hit more by New York than almost any other team, but he is still 7-3 vs. the Yanks, and has found a way to win despite getting hit around some by them. He is a warrior with a contract extension on the line and this is a situation that Beckett will thrive in after a solid spring. I think he is well prepared for this game as he has been working towards an extension, and hungry for another world title. And with the Yankees losing Matsui and Damon - two savvy veteran bats who have seen these wars, and replacing them with Nick Johnson and Curtis Granderson, isn't a recipe I like early going in the season.
The Yankees are one of the most bet on teams in sports, and I always scratch my head when they are made an underdog.
Boston tonight for me.
Boston 6
New York 4
Best of luck to everyone this year.
3* Boston Red Sox (Beckett) -128
Sabathia's poor spring has been well documented. And most other pitchers, I wouldn't be too worried. But Sabathia is a guy who has had weight issues in his career, showing a tendency to take it easy in the offseason. And after winning a world series, I wouldn't doubt that his poor spring hangover was a result of him suffering a letdown. His last outing he got shelled, and his stuff is very hittable right now. Assuming he can walk into Fenway and be on top of his game enough to outduel Beckett is asking a bit much here.
Sabathia has always been a pitcher that you want to fade on the road vs. predominant right handed hitting lineups anyway. And that's basically what we have here tonight at Fenway vs. a mostly right handed/switch hitting Red Sox lineup. I'm not a huge fan of the additions of Cameron, Scutaro, etc, but I think there is enough here to put up enough runs on CC.
Beckett has been a historical slow starter who settles into the season after 4-5 starts. But I think this year is a little different as Beckett (a money driven guy) is negotiating his contract extension, and nothing would seal the deal more than a big home win vs. the defending champ Yankees in front of the Red Sox faithful.
Beckett has been hit more by New York than almost any other team, but he is still 7-3 vs. the Yanks, and has found a way to win despite getting hit around some by them. He is a warrior with a contract extension on the line and this is a situation that Beckett will thrive in after a solid spring. I think he is well prepared for this game as he has been working towards an extension, and hungry for another world title. And with the Yankees losing Matsui and Damon - two savvy veteran bats who have seen these wars, and replacing them with Nick Johnson and Curtis Granderson, isn't a recipe I like early going in the season.
The Yankees are one of the most bet on teams in sports, and I always scratch my head when they are made an underdog.
Boston tonight for me.
Boston 6
New York 4
