MLB Handicapping: Red Sox vs Phillies

Courtesy of OddsShark.com: The fans at Citizens Bank Park will be treated to a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies when they take their seats on Friday. John Lackey will be the starting pitcher for the Red Sox on this day. Righthander Lackey is 4-2 this season with a 4.86 ERA. The Phillies will counter Lackey with Cole Hamels. Lefthander Hamels has a 4.29 ERA to go along with a 4-2 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 137-moneyline favorites versus the Red Sox, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Kevin Youkilis belted a three-run homer and drove in three runs as the Red Sox defeated the Twins 6-2 on Thursday. The Red Sox won that game as -140 favorites, and the eight runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8) set by sportsbooks. Jon Lester pitched a complete game for the win, allowing two runs off six hits. The Phillies held off a late rally and got past the Cubs 5-4 on Thursday, as -145 favorites. That game's nine runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (9) set by sportsbooks. Jimmy Rollins cracked a three-run homer for the Phillies, and Danys Baez collected the win in relief. Current streak: Boston has won 3 straight games. Team records: Boston: 22-20 SU Philadelphia: 25-15 SU Boston most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Philadelphia are 9-1 After playing Minnesota are 5-5 After a win are 7-3 Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Boston are 2-8 After playing Chi Cubs are 8-2 After a win are 7-3 A few trends to consider: Boston is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Philadelphia Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 11 games when playing Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing at home against Boston Philadelphia is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games The total has gone OVER in 8 of Philadelphia's last 11 games when playing Boston Philadelphia is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home Next up: Philadelphia home to Boston, Saturday, May 22 Stevie Vincent is the former Executive Editor of the scorephone Tailgate Parties, which were the reports every gambler flocked to in the pre-Internet days. A pro gambler since 1993, his picks went public in 2007. He is the founder of groundbreaking forensic sports handicapping.