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MLB Betting Prediction Arizona Diamondbacks at Boston Red Sox: on Monday June 23rd 2008, one of the best teams in the American League takes on one of the best teams in the National League, in interleague play, and on what very well could be a preview of this year’s World Series. And what a great way to start a 3-game set from the Fen, than with a terrific pitching match-up like the none we have in the opener, as the (47-31) Boston Red Sox welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-37) on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball, starting at 7:05 pm ET. SBGglobal.com has the Boston Red Sox a -160 betting odds favorite against the Arizona D-Backs (+140).  Both of these teams come into Monday’s affair leading their respective divisions. The Boston Red Sox are currently atop the AL East by 1½ games over the Cinderella Tampa Bay Rays (44-31). In their last 10 games played, the Sox are 6-4, are 29-9 at home, and have outscored their opponents this season by a mark of 395-330. The Over/Under for this MLB Betting Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks at Boston Red Sox, has been set at 8.5 combined total runs. Meanwhile in the National League West, the D-Backs lead the inconsistent Los Angeles Dodgers (35-40) by 3½ games. The D-Backs’ downfall this season has been their inability to win on the road (15-22). In their last 10 games played, they are only 4-6, but have outscored their opponents by 350-339. Here’s tonight’s pitching match up, brought to you by SBGglobal.com: Toeing the rubber for the visiting Arizona D-Backs will be the big RHP out of Pepperdine, Dan Haren. Thus far in this 2008 season, Haren has a record of 7-4, with an impressive 3.24 ERA, and 84 strikeouts, in 96.2 innings pitched. This young man is extremely precise in his control, as his SO-to-BB ratio shows (84-16). In Haren’s last 10 starts, he has recorded 5 or more punch-outs 9 times this season. Dan Haren’s opponent Monday night is just as tough, if not tougher. RHP Josh Beckett will be standing on the mound for the World Champion Red Sox. Thus far this season, Beckett has an exact mark in wins and losses as his opponent with 7-4. Beckett’s ERA is a bit higher than Haren’s at 3.87, and their SO-to-BB ratio is almost identical (89-17). So far this season, Beckett has worked a total of 86.0 innings. Sports-Odds MLB Betting Prediction: BOS-160 The pitching match-up is almost dead-even. However, the difference in tonight's game will be the comfort level. And thus far, the Red Sox have proven to be an outstanding home team (29-9); meanwhile, the D-Baks road record indicates that they strruggle to play well on the road (15-22). Another key for the Red Sox victory will be Josh Beckett's ability to go deep into the game, and thus, give the Boston bullpen a much needed rest.
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