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This Red Sox vs. Phillies betting preview is courtesy of Sportsbook.com where the Line & Total was: Phillies -134, Red Sox +124 & 7 over -120
Boston visits Philadelphia to begin a marquee three-game interleague series on Tuesday night. The Phillies have the best record in the majors, while the Red Sox have overcome a slow start to contend in the AL East. Boston owns a 26-17
(.605) all-time mark versus the Phillies, including an 18-6 record against them since 2004. The Red Sox are 11-4 at Citizens Bank Park, where Philadelphia is a dominant 30-13 (+10.2 Units) this season. Behind some strong pitching performances from Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, expect the Phillies to continue their success at home.
Josh Beckett (6-2, 1.86 ERA) hasn't pitched since June 15 because of flu-like symptoms, but he's expected to make his start on Tuesday. The right-hander has won his past two games and has only allowed more than three runs once in 14 starts this year (6 IP, 4 ER on April 27). He has pitched at least six innings in his past eight starts and in his most recent outing, he shut out Tampa Bay 3-0 with a complete-game, one-hitter. Beckett is 8-4 with a 3.98 ERA versus the Phillies in 19 career appearances (17 starts), but his Citizens Bank Park ERA is a lofty 6.26 in four starts there. Beckett is 4-2 with a 2.35 ERA in eight road starts in 2011.
Cliff Lee (8-5, 2.87 ERA) has been brilliant in winning his past four starts, and six of his past seven. During his four-game winning streak, the lefty has surrendered just one earned run in 33 innings. He's recorded two straight shutouts, including a complete-game, six-hitter in his most recent outing, a 4-0 win at St. Louis on June 22. He hasn't allowed a run in his past 23 innings. But Lee is only 2-4 with a 4.06 ERA in 10 career starts versus Boston. However, he's been unhittable at home this season, posting a 6-1 mark (in nine starts), 1.88 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. In 67 innings at Citizens Bank Park, Lee has allowed 57 hits and struck out 72 batters.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
