The ever-imposing Manny Ramirez of the AL East leading Boston Red Sox is ever so close to joining one of baseballs’ all-time most elite, class of players. After spending his Sunday on the bench due to a sore hamstring, Manny returned to the starting lineup Monday against the Minnesota Twins, and RHP (the Cuban-defector) Livan Hernandez. It didn’t take Ramirez too long to get back to Manny-being-Manny… but in a good way. Manny Ramirez chases career Homerun No. 500 tonight, when the Boston Red Sox visit the Baltimore Orioles, in the first of a two-game set, at Oriloes Park in Camden Yards. BodogLife.com has the visiting Boston Red Sox a - 168 favorite against the Baltimore Orioles (+ 148).    

In Monday night’s game (at the Twins), with the Red Sox already leading 1-0, and Big Papi on first base, Manny came to the plate.

With only 1 out and a 1-1 count, Hernandez threw a breaking ball that hung over the middle of the plate, and Manny jumped all over it. Ramirez kept his hands back well, as he blasted a shot to the opposite field, over the right field “baggie” for career HR No. 498.

Tonight, Manny and the BoSox will face the Baltimore Orioles’ RHP Jeremy Guthrie (1-3, 4.32 ERA, and 32 K).

His counterpart, and toeing the rubber for the AL East leading Red Sox will be the electric, RHP Josh Beckett (4-2, 3.70 ERA, and 42 K).

Beckett had allowed plenty of runs in his first few starts. However, lately he’s beginning to get into a very good rhythm on the mound.

Last year’s CY Young runner up, comes into tonight’s contest throwing the ball very well, as he will put his two-game winning streak on the line, against Brian Roberts and the rest of this Baltimore Orioles’ offense. I like Boston in this one at - 168. Not enough fire-power for the birds, and (with too much Beckett) the pitching match-up definitely, favors Boston.     

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