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The Phillies vs. Yankees Game 2 World Series odds opened with New York once again a big -180 favorite. A.J. Burnett will start for the Yankees. Pedro Martinez will go up for the Phillies. While the line was still -180 at the Mirage in Vegas, online the best line available on the Yankees was -200 at Sportsbetting.com.
The defending champion Phillies shut down Alex Rodriguez & Co. in the first Series game at the new billion-dollar Yankee Stadium Wednesday night with the Yankees a huge -170 to -180 favorite. Trying to become the first NL team to repeat since Cincinnati in 1975-76, the Phils' 17-4 postseason run is the best in league history.
Philadelphia pitcher Cliff Lee outdueled CC Sabathia.
Making his first World Series appearance in five years, Martinez tries to help the Phillies take a 2-0 lead back to Philadelphia when they face New York in Game 2 on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.
Hated by Yankees fans while pitching for Boston before spending four injury-plagued seasons with the Mets, Martinez -- who turned 38 on Sunday -- makes his second career World Series start and first appearance at the new Yankee Stadium.
The right-hander hasn't pitched in the Bronx since 2005, while a member of the Mets.
Martinez, who pitched seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball to earn the win in Boston's 4-1 victory at St. Louis in Game 3 of the 2004 World Series, went 8-5 with a 3.21 ERA in 18 career starts at the old Yankee Stadium. That includes an 0-1 mark and 5.40 ERA in two AL championship series starts while with the Red Sox.
He also, though, pitched perhaps the most dominant game of his career there, a 3-1 Boston win Sept. 10, 1999, when he allowed one hit and struck out 17 in a complete-game effort against a New York dynasty at its peak.
"I don't know if you realize this, I might be at times the most influential player that ever stepped in Yankee Stadium. I can honestly say that," Martinez said. "I have all the respect in the world for the way they enjoy being fans. Sometimes they might be giving you the middle finger, just like they will be cursing you and telling you what color underwear you're wearing. But at the end of the day, they're just great fans that want to see the team win. I don't have any problem with that."
New York turns to right-hander A.J. Burnett in Game 2 to try and even the Series.
Burnett, 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA in 33 starts during his first season in New York, makes his World Series debut after recording a 4.42 ERA and not receiving a decision in three postseason starts.
"I'm excited," Burnett said. "I'm going to prepare, yeah, maybe, as another game, but deep down I know what it's about. I know how real it is, and I don't want to change it."
Burnett is 5-8 with a 4.85 ERA in 16 career starts against Philadelphia, including a 7-3 loss at Yankee Stadium on May 22, when he allowed five runs in six innings.
Some important Phillies vs. Yankees Game 2 World Series odds trends to consider from a pitching standpoint:
The Phillies are 7-0 in Martinezs last 7 starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Phillies are 8-2 in Martinezs last 10 starts.
The Phillies are 8-2 in Martinezs last 10 starts on grass.
The Yankees are 5-0 in Burnetts last 5 starts as a favorite of -151 to -200.
The Yankees are 8-1 in Burnetts last 9 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Yankees are 11-2 in Burnetts last 13 home starts.
The Yankees are 11-2 in Burnetts last 13 starts as a home favorite.
New York is 13-3 in Burnetts last 16 home starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Yankees are 19-7 in Burnetts last 26 starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
New York is 8-3 in Burnetts last 11 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
The Yankees are 9-4 in Burnetts last 13 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
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