Rays at White Sox
--The White Sox fought off elimination on Sunday to force today’s Game 4. Las Vegas Sports Consultants listed Chicago as a $1.25 home “chalk” (risk $125 to win $100) to return the series to Tropicana Field. The total has been set at 8 ½ ‘over’ at minus 120. And bettors can take Ozzie Guillen’s squad on the run line (win by more than one run) for a nice plus 165 return.
-- Chicago took Game 3 yesterday, 5-3, as a minus 130 home favorite, while paying off backers of the run line at plus 155. The combined eight runs just fell ‘under’ the 8 ½ total.
-- The ChiSox are entrusting their season to right-hander Gavin Floyd on Monday afternoon. The Annapolis, Maryland native is 17-8 this season, with an earned run average of 3.84. He’s been almost automatic at U.S. Cellular Field in 2008 as evidenced by him going 10-3, with a 3.55 ERA at home.
--Tampa Bay is handing the ball to Andy Sonnanstine to clinch a spot in the American League Championship Series. He’s 13-9 with a 4.38 ERA for the year, but just 6-5 with an ERA of 4.35 away from home this season.
-- Chicago is 7-3 in its last 10 home games, while the Rays are 5-5 in their previous 10 road tilts…and 1-4 in their past five.
-- First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 pm EDT on TBS.
Angels at Red Sox
--Los Angeles fought back last night to keep its season going by winning in 12 innings last night as a $1.46 road ‘dog, 5-4. Shortstop Erick Aybar hit a bloop single in the top of the 12th to score catcher Mike Napoli. The Angels should consider themselves lucky to have forced Game 4 after leaving eight runners in scoring position on base with two outs last night. Bettors got a push on the total last night as the combined score hit right on nine.
--John Lackey will take the mound for the Halos today. The ace of the Angels’ staff is 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA this season. Lackey has been impressive on the road this year by accumulating a 7-2 record with a 3.23 ERA. However, he is just 3-6 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 career starts against the BoSox.
-- Jon Lester gets the starting nod for Boston in Game 4, compiling a 16-6 mark with an ERA of 3.21 for the year. Lester won the opening game of this American League Division Series by pitching seven strong innings, striking out seven and giving up an unearned run.
-- The Red Sox may be one of the best home teams in baseball (56-26 for the season), but don’t count out LA. The Angels improved their MLB best road mark last night to 51-31 for the 2008 season.
-- Mike Scioscia’s has seen the ‘over’ go 5-4-1 in its last 10 road games. Boston has watched the ‘under’ post a 6-3-1mark in its past 10 matches at Fenway Park.
-- This contest will get underway at 8:30 pm EDT on TBS.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
