Some online betting fans are looking ahead to next weekend’s UFC 97 odds, but there’s plenty of good baseball betting to enjoy in the meantime. Let’s make a few Friday-night ballgame picks, shall we?
Phillies vs
Definite potential for a sportsbook upset here. On paper, there’s every reason to pick the defending champion Phillies; their big bats are heading to Coors to face the mediocre Jason Marquis. That’s a recipe for great Phillies odds, right? Not necessarily. For one, Marquis has a career 2.51 ERA at Coors Field, so the thin air may not affect him. Also, Cole Hamels battled elbow pain all spring and could have rust to shake off. This is one of the only times all year when betting against Hamels is a good idea, so seize the opportunity.
Online betting pick:
Red Sox vs Angels odds – Tim Wakefield vs Shane Loux
You may want to bet the OVER in this one, folks. Tim Wakefield isn’t dominant, especially when his knuckler isn’t dancing, but he has the advantage against Shane (who?) Loux Friday night. Loux has just seven career starts and opponents hit .296 off him; it doesn’t take a genius online betting fan to realize that the slugging Red Sox are a scary matchup for him. Given that he has 19 – –19! — career strikeouts in 60.1 innings, he can’t overpower a little leaguer, let alone a major league hitter, so the Red Sox odds look pretty good in this one.
Online betting pick: Red Sox
Dodgers vs Diamonbacks odds – James McDonald vs Jon Garland
At their comfy hitter’s park in Chase Field, the D’Backs should be favored against rookie hurler James McDonald, but the Dodgers odds could offer good value here. McDonald threw 11.1 scoreless innings last season in a brief debut that included the regular season and playoffs. The D’Backs know little about him, so he could surprise. The overrated
Online betting pick: Dodgers