MLB Odds: Could be a Big Day in American League Playoff Picture
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
There are a handful of scenarios that could shake out by the end of the day Wednesday in the AL playoff races remaining. The New York Yankees could clinch a playoff spot and win the AL East today. The Tampa Bay Rays could fall be anywhere from 3.5 games to just a half game behind the Boston Red Sox in the wild-card race. And the Los Angeles Angels could get within 2.5 games of the wild-card lead and within four of the AL West lead of Texas
Let’s start with Rays-Yankees, who play a day-night doubleheader in New York. The Rays blew a chance to move within a game of Boston on Tuesday night as Tampa Bay fell to the Yanks 5-0. While it’s never easy to win in the Bronx, the Rays have their aces going with James Shields (15-11, 2.78) in the opener and Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.91) in the nightcap. Tampa Bay has to like its chances in Game 1 vs. Phil Hughes (5-5, 6.00) but the Yanks have ace CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.01) in Game 2 – there will be live betting on Bodog Sportsbook’s MLB baseball odds for the second game. New York's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is 1 and to win the AL East is 3.
In Boston, the Red Sox’s swoon continues. Jonathan Papelbon blew a save opportunity as the Red Sox fell to Baltimore 7-5. Boston is now 4-13 since holding a 9-game wild-card lead over Tampa Bay on Sept. 3. The Sox haven’t won consecutive games since Aug. 27. Papelbon had only blown one save this season and had gone 21 straight scoreless innings. Boston is a big -300 favorite tonight behind Josh Beckett (13-6, 2.50). He faces the Orioles’ Tommy Hunter (4-4, 4.81). A Boston loss and Tampa Bay sweep would get the Rays to within a half game and a chance for Tampa Bay to tie for the wild-card lead on Thursday with the Sox off. The Rays would be 3.5 games back if swept and Boston wins.
Finally, don’t forget about the Angels. They beat Toronto 10-6 on Tuesday to move within 3.5 games of Boston and stay within five of Texas in the division. L.A. is a -175 favorite tonight behind Dan Haren (15-9, 3.24). He faces Toronto’s Dustin McGowan (0-0, 7.50).
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boston red sox - cc sabathia - dan haren - dustin mcgowan - james shields - jeremy hellickson - jonathan papelbon - josh beckett - los angeles angels - new york yankees
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