8월7일 best MLB bets

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees (-185, 8.5)

The Red Sox entered their four-game series against the Yankees looking to gain some ground in the AL East. They may present a similar opportunity for bettors looking to do the same on their books.

Boston's 1-8 record in their last nine at Yankee Stadium and a DL littered with stars have made them heavy underdogs in the first two meetings and likely will all weekend.

Despite playing without first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia, things aren't as bad in Beantown as they may appear. Mike Lowell and Jacoby Ellsberry returned from the DL just in time to add some depth and the Red Sox are still loaded with stating pitching.

"Despite what we're missing, what we have is good enough to get really hot. That says a lot about the depth on this roster, the quality of this team," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "Setting aside health for a second, we throw a really good starting pitcher on the mound every night, I believe, and I believe we have a deep lineup. The injuries don't prevent us from getting as hot as we're going to need to get to do some damage here."

Righty John Lackey takes on lefty CC Sabathia, who has just one win over his last four starts with a 3.67 ERA. Lackey also has just one victory to show for his last four outings but has a 3.26 ERA over that span, so the pitching could be a push.

The Red Sox are batting .284 against lefties in their last 10 while the Yankees are hitting just .248 against righties during that span. Despite the lopsided odds, this one looks close enough to go for some value.

Pick: Red Sox

Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs (-120, Off)

Are the Cubs really favored to beat the Reds? If so, on what grounds? The pitching matchup alone?

Granted, Cincy righthander Edinson Volquez has had a couple of bad outings since returning from the DL, but the Reds are 17-4 in his last 21 road starts.

Counterpart Randy Wells isn't exactly lighting it up either. He is 0-2 in his last two starts, when the Cubs allowed a total of 26 runs.

And as for hitting, the Reds have been hammering righties to the tune of .304 over their last 10 compared to just .251 for the Cubs.

The Reds have owned the Cubbies recently, winning six of the last seven meetings. Cincy has outscored Chicago by an incredible 52-10 during that span, posting 14 runs twice and 12 in another.

Plus the Reds are in a pennent race while the Cubs are cleaning house and already talking about next season for the 102nd consecutive year. Call us crazy but we're riding with the Reds.

Pick: Reds