MLB Betting Preview
Boston Red Sox (50-34) at Tampa Bay Rays (49-32)
Monday, 7:10 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Rays   -135 ,  Total  9 Under -120

The Tampa Bay Rays begin the second half of the season in first place in the American League East. To stay there they will have to beat the second place Boston Red Sox as the teams open up a three game series at Tropicana Field.  The last time that Tampa pitcher James Shields faced the Red Sox he was involved in a brawl in Boston after hitting Coco Crisp with a pitch.  Eight players were suspended due to the brawl and neither team has forgotten.  Crisp is suspended and will not play in tonight’s game. This series has been dominated by the home team this season with the Red Sox winning all six of their home games and the Rays winning all three of their home games back in April. SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Red Sox on the Road.

The Rays have the best record in their history at the half way mark.  They just completed a 5-1 road trip.  Shields will try and get over the .500 mark for them tonight.  His ERA is nice at 3.76 but he is only 5-5 on the season.  He had one great outing against Boston this season shutting them out in April but then allowed 10 runs in a May loss.  He is 1-4 with a 5.66 ERA in seven starts against them in his career.

SBG Global Current Line: Rays   -148 ,  Total  9 Under -125

Boston lost two of three in Houston and will try and avoid their first three-game losing streak since May. Justin Masterson gets the call on Monday.  He is 4-1 with a 3.43.  He beat Tampa Bay earlier this month.

Here are the MLB betting stats for Monday’s game. The Red Sox are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. the American League East. The Red Sox are 6-13 in their last 19 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Red Sox are 3-7 in their last 10 games as a road underdog. The Red Sox are 5-1 in Masterson’s last 6 starts.

The Red Sox are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Tampa Bay

The Rays are 4-0 in their last 4 Monday games. The Rays are 5-1 in their last 6 overall. The Rays are 20-6 in their last 26 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Rays are 21-7 in their last 28 games as a home favorite. The Rays are 9-1 in Shields’ last 10 starts as a home favorite. The Rays are 1-6 in Shields’ last 7 starts vs. the Red Sox.

The Under is 5-1-1 in the Red Sox last 7 overall. The Under is 4-1 in the Red Sox last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.

The Under is 6-2 in the Rays last 8 games as a favorite. The Under is 7-3 in the Rays last 10 vs. the American League East. The Under is 19-9-1 in the Rays last 29 overall. The Over is 4-1 in Shields’ last 5 starts as a favorite.

The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Tampa Bay between the two teams.

MLB Betting Preview
New York Mets (40-41) at St. Louis Cardinals (47-36)
Monday, 7:05 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Mets -110 ,  Total  8.5 Flat

The St. Louis Cardinals continue to find ways to win while the New York Mets continue to tread water.  The teams open up a four game series on Monday in St. Louis that is critical for New York.  The Mets are starting an eight-game road trip and know they must start getting back into the race. “Obviously, we’ve got some big series coming up,” manager Jerry Manuel said. SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Cardinals at Home.

The Cardinals go with Kyle Lohse on Monday. He was signed just before opening day this season and has been the Cardinals best pitcher.  He will look for his 10^th win on Monday.  Lohse is 9-2 with a 3.94 ERA this season.

He’s won six of his last seven starts overall. He is 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA at home this season. John Maine gets the call for New York.  He is 8-5 with a 3.73 ERA this season.  He has given up only two runs in each of his last two starts.

Here are the MLB betting stats for Monday’s game. The Mets are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Mets are 1-6 in their last 7 Monday games. The Mets are 4-1 in Maine’s last 5 Monday starts. The Mets are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in St. Louis.

The Cardinals are 9-2 in their last 11 vs. National League East. The Cardinals are 2-5 in their last 7 home games. The Cardinals are 3-8 in their last 11 Monday games. The Cardinals are 7-1 in Lohse’s last 8 starts.

SBG Global Current Line: Mets -110 ,  Total  8.5 Flat

The Over is 4-0-1 in the Mets last 5 Monday games. The Over is 4-1 in the Mets last 5 vs. the National League Central. The Over is 5-0-1 in Maine’s last 6 starts overall. The Under is 7-2-2 in Maine’s last 11 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.

The Over is 4-0 in the Cardinals last 4 Monday games. The Under is 4-1 in the Cardinals last 5 home games. The Over is 4-1 in the Cardinals last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 4-1-2 in Lohse’s last 7 starts overall. The Under is 6-2-1 in Lohse’s last 9 home starts. The Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in St. Louis between the two teams.

Pick Mets 3units

MLB Betting Preview

St. Louis Cardinals (45-35) at Kansas City Royals (36-43)
Friday, 8:10 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Royals - 120, Total 8.5 Over -120

The St. Louis Cardinals will look for revenge this weekend as they play the Kansas City Royals. Last week the Royals swept the Cardinals in St. Louis and now the Royals are red-hot, having won 10 of their last 11 games overall. They are 12-3 in Interleague play this season. “That’s a step, no doubt,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “Sometimes, you’d like to take large giant steps, but we dug ourselves such a big hole that we’re going to have to get back in it with baby steps.” SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Royals at Home.

The Royals go with Gil Meche in the opening game of the series on Friday. He is 5-8 with a 4.91 ERA. He has pitched well of late with a 2.37 ERA in his last three starts. He has only faced the Cardinals once in his career and gave up four runs in an extra inning loss last year.

The Cardinals got Albert Pujols back into the lineup yesterday after he missed 13 games with a calf injury. He went 4-4 in his first game back. He has owned the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, hitting .398 with 8 home runs and 24 RBIs. The Cardinals lost in extra innings on Thursday and have lost three of their last four. Joel Pineiro goes on Friday. Pineiro has pitched well of late, giving up only three runs in his last 14 innings. He is 4-1 in his career against the Royals with a 3.12 ERA.

SBG Global Current Line: Royals - 120, Total 8.5 Over -120

Here are the MLB betting stats for Friday’s game. The Cardinals are 5-2 in their last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 road games. The Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. the American League Central. The Cardinals are 0-5 in Pineiro’s last 5 starts. The Cardinals are 11-3 in the last 14 meetings in Kansas City.

The Royals are 5-0 in their last 5 home games. The Royals are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. the National League Central. The Royals are 10-1 in their last 11 overall. The Royals are 9-1 in their last 10 Interleague games vs. a right-handed starter. The Royals are 13-3 in their last 16 Interleague games.

The Royals are 2-6 in Meche’s last 8 home starts.

The Over is 12-3-4 in the Cardinals last 19 Interleague games as an underdog. The Over is 15-6-3 in the Cardinals last 24 Interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.

The Under is 4-0 in Pineiro’s last 4 starts overall. The Under is 4-1-1 in Pineiro’s last 6 road starts.

The Under is 5-0 in the Royals last 5 vs. the National League Central. The Over is 5-1 in the Royals last 6 games as a home favorite. The Under is 5-2 in the Royals last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 4-1 in Meche’s last 5 home starts. The Over is 7-1-2 in the last 10 meetings in Kansas City between the two teams.

Pick: Royals 3units

MLB Betting Preview
Arizona Diamondbacks (40-39) at Florida Marlins (40-38)
Friday, 7:05 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Marlins - 113, Total 9 Under -115

Two teams that have struggled of late will look to turn things around on Friday when the Florida Marlins host the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona will look for revenge from last month when they were swept by the Marlins, scoring only three runs in the series. Somehow the Diamondbacks are still in first place in the National League West despite their poor play of late. The Diamondbacks have lost five of their last six games and scored only 12 runs in those games. “It’s miserable,” manager Bob Melvin said, “Especially after the way we started, expectations are high, guys expect to do well, and to go through prolonged periods of it is very frustrating.” Micah Owings gets the start on Friday. He is 6-6 with a 5.11 ERA this season. He is 0-4 in his last five starts with an 8.53 ERA. SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Marlins at Home.

The Marlins go with Ricky Nolasco on Friday. He is 7-4 with a 4.31 ERA and has won his last six decisions. He’s 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last three starts. The Marlins are not playing well of late having been swept by Tampa Bay. They were 5-10 in Interleague play and are happy it is over for them. The Marlins have dropped six of their last eight games and nine of their last 13 overall.

SBG Global Current Line: Marlins - 113, Total 9 Under -115

Here are the MLB betting stats for Friday’s game. The Diamondbacks are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. the National League East. The Diamondbacks are 7-19 in their last 26 road games. The Diamondbacks are 1-4 in their last 5 games as a road underdog. The Diamondbacks are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Diamondbacks are 1-4 in Owings’ last 5 starts. The Diamondbacks are 5-14 in the last 19 meetings in Florida.

The Marlins are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. the National League West. The Marlins are 1-4 in their last 5 overall. The Marlins are 0-4 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Marlins are 6-1 in Nolasco’s last 7 starts.

The Under is 4-0-1 in the Diamondbacks last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 4-0-1 in the Diamondbacks last 5 road games. The Over is 5-2-1 in the Diamondbacks last 8 vs. the National League East. The

Over is 5-1 in Owings’ last 6 starts overall. The Over is 5-2 in Owings’ last 7 road starts.

The Over is 7-1 in the Marlins last 8 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Over is 13-4 in the Marlins last 17 vs. the National League West. The Over is 20-7-2 in the Marlins last 29 games as a home favorite. The Over is 5-1 in Nolasco’s last 6 starts overall. The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between the two teams.

Pick: Over 9 runs, to teams playing badley of late 3units

Thursday, 8:05 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Astros - 126 , Total 9 Flat

The Rangers and Astros wrap up their Interleague battle of Texas on Thursday in Houston with Kevin Millwood taking on Wandy Rodriguez. The Rangers will be hoping to get their two sluggers back in the starting lineup on Thursday. Both Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley were not in the lineup on Wednesday. SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Astros at Home.

Kevin Millwood has pitched well of late for the Rangers. He is 3-0 with a 4.22 ERA in five starts since coming off the DL. He is 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA in his career against Houston. Rodriguez is also pitching well for the Astros. He allowed just two runs in 5 2/3 innings in his last start against Tampa Bay. He is 1-2 at home this season with a 2.10 ERA.

Here are the MLB betting stats for Thursday’s game. The Rangers are 5-1 in their last 6 Thursday games. The Rangers are 17-37 in their last 54 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Rangers are 2-5 in their last 7 games as an underdog. The Rangers are 2-7 in their last 9 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Rangers are 5-0 in Millwood’s last 5 starts as an underdog. The Rangers are 5-1 in Millwood’s last 6 starts. The Rangers are 6-2 in Millwood’s last 8 Thursday starts. The Rangers are 2-12 in Millwood’s last 14 starts as a road underdog.

SBG Global Current Line: Astros - 126 , Total 9 Over -115

The Astros are 5-12 in their last 17 Interleague games. The Astros are 7-19 in their last 26 overall. The Astros are 4-12 in their last 16 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Astros are 1-5 in their last 6 home games. Astros are 0-5 in their last 5 Thursday games. The Astros are 13-6 in Rodriguez’s last 19 home starts. The Astros are 1-5 in Rodriguez’s last 6 starts.

The Under is 5-1 in the Rangers last 6 Interleague games vs. a left-handed starter. The Under is 5-1 in the Rangers last 6 overall. The Under is 4-1 in the Rangers last 5 road games. The Over is 4-0 in Millwood’s last 4 starts vs. the National League Central. The Over is 8-2-1 in Millwood’s last 11 starts overall.

The Under is 4-0 in the Astros last 4 overall. The Under is 5-1-1 in the Astros last 7 games as a favorite. The Over is 12-5 in the Astros last 17 vs. the American League West. The Under is 6-1-1 in Rodriguez’s last 8 starts overall. The Under is 11-5-1 in Rodriguez’s last 17 home starts. The Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Houston between the two teams.

Pick: Rangers 3units

MLB Betting Preview
Philadelphia Phillies at Oakland Athletics
Wednesday, 10:05 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Athletics  - 125 ,  Total  8.5 Over -120

The Oakland Athletics host the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night with Greg Smith facing Kyle Kendrick.  Smith comes into the game at 4-5 with a 3.51 ERA while Kendrick is 6-3 with a 5.06 ERA.

SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Athletics at Home.

Kendrick did not pitch well in his last outing against the Red Sox, giving up six runs in only three innings. Kendrick usually gets good run support in his starts though as the Phillies have won 10 of his last 12 starts.

Smith has pitched well in most games this season but has very little to show for it.  He has already received five no decisions this season and is 4-5 overall despite an ERA of 3.51.  He has gone five innings in two straight starts allowing just one run each time.

Here are the MLB betting stats for Wednesday’s game.  The Phillies are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a road underdog. The Phillies are 10-4 in their last 14 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Phillies are 5-14 in their last 19 Interleague games as an underdog. The Phillies are 3-10 in their last 13 Wednesday games. The Phillies heading into Tuesday’s game were 0-5 in their last 5 vs. the American League West. The Phillies are 4-0 in Kendrick’s last 4 starts as an underdog. The Phillies are 6-0 in Kendrick’s last 6 road starts. The Phillies are 10-2 in Kendrick’s last 12 starts. The Phillies are 1-7 in Kendrick’s last 8 Wednesday starts.

SBG Global Current Line: Athletics  - 120 ,  Total  8.5 Over -120

The Athletics are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a home favorite. The Athletics are 61-23 in their last 84 Interleague home games. The Athletics are 20-8 in their last 28 games as a favorite. The Athletics are 2-6 in their last 8 home games vs. a right-handed starter.

The Over is 4-0 in the Phillies last 4 Interleague games as an underdog. The Under is 5-0 in the Phillies last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Under is 13-3 in the Phillies last 16 vs. the American League West. The Under is 4-1 in the Phillies last 5 overall. The Under is 7-2 in the Phillies last 9 road games. The Over is 9-3 in Kendrick’s last 12 road starts.

The Over is 6-0-2 in the Athletics last 8 games as a home favorite.

The Over is 4-1-1 in the Athletics last 6 overall. The Under is 8-1-1 in Smith’s last 10 starts overall.

MLB Betting Preview
Minnesota Twins (40-36) at San Diego Padres (32-45)
Tuesday, 10:05 pm Eastern

The red-hot Minnesota Twins head into San Diego on Tuesday to begin a series with the Padres.  The Twins have won six straight and eight of nine to move just 1.5 games back of the White Sox for first place in the American League Central.  To continue that streak they will have to defeat Jake Peavy on Tuesday night.

Check out the current line for this game at SBG Global.

The Twins are now 9-3 in Interleague play and seem better suited to take on National League teams. “We kind of match up a little better,” manager Ron Gardenhire said, “We are a team that can bunt, we are a team that can scratch out runs, we don’t rely on the big home runs. So we kind of can play National League baseball.” The Twins send Kevin Slowey to the mound on Tuesday.  He is 4-6 with a 4.37 ERA.  He gave up one run and seven hits in six innings last Wednesday in an 11-2 win over Washington. 

San Diego continues to struggle and even Jake Peavy is barely above .500 despite a 2.88 ERA.  His 5-4 record is indicative of the lack of run support he receives.  He also has not been the same since going on the DL.  He went just four innings last Wednesday against the Yankees and gave up four runs and six hits. “His stuff was good,” manager Bud Black said. “His velocity was there.”  Peavy has pitched against the Twins only once in his career, giving up three runs in 6 2/3 innings.  Overall the Padres have lost six of their last seven games. The Twins and Padres have split six meetings in their history with each team winning two of three on the road.

Here are the MLB betting stats for Tuesday’s game.  The Twins are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Twins are 6-0 in their last 6 overall. The Twins are 7-2 in their last 9 vs. the National League West.

The Twins are 37-14 in their last 51 Interleague games. The Twins are 3-7 in their last 10 games as a road underdog.

The Padres are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Padres are 8-3 in their last 11 games as a home favorite. The Padres are 4-9 in their last 13 vs. the American League Central. The Padres are 3-10 in their last 13 Interleague home games. The Padres are 1-6 in their last 7 overall. The Padres are 2-6 in Peavy’s last 8 starts.

The Under is 5-1 in the Twins last 6 vs. the National League West. The Over is 8-2 in the Twins last 10 road games. The Over is 9-3 in the Twins last 12 games as an underdog. The Over is 11-5 in the Twins last 16 overall.

The Over is 4-1-1 in the Padres last 6 vs. the American League Central. The Under is 20-8 in the Padres last 28 games as a home favorite. The Over is 5-1 in Peavy’s last 6 starts vs. the American League Central. The Over is 4-1 in Peavy’s last 5 starts overall. The Under is 20-7-2 in Peavy’s last 29 starts as a home favorite.

MLB Betting Preview
Chicago White Sox (41-34) at Los Angeles Dodgers (35-40)
Tuesday, 10:10 pm Eastern

The Chicago White Sox open a three-game series on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers looking to break a nine-game road losing streak. Suddenly the White Sox look vulnerable, having lost eight of their last 12 games while the Minnesota Twins have won eight of their last 9 to cut the Sox lead to just a game and a half in the American League Central. The White Sox were swept by the Cubs over the weekend. “The last three teams we’ve played on the road, we’ve been swept or just won one game,” manager Ozzie Guillen said, “I don’t think it’s a good sign for a team that has to win, or wants to win. Like I said, this is not a basketball team. To win and get in the division, you have to win some games on the road, and we’re not doing a good job out there yet.”

Check out the current line for this game at SBG Global.

Mark Buehrle gets the ball on Tuesday for the White Sox. He is 4-6 on the season with a 4.28 ERA.  He has been pitching well of late going 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA in his last seven starts.  He is 1-1 with a 1.20 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers.

Los Angeles goes with Derek Lowe on Tuesday.  He is 5-6 with a 3.90 this season.  He has won three of his last four starts overall. He is 1-1 with a 3.89 ERA as a starter against the White Sox in his career.  The Dodgers lost two of three to Cleveland over the weekend and they are only 2-7 in Interleague play. “We haven’t put anything together,” manager Joe Torre said, “That’s why I’m saying you win five games in a row, all of a sudden you have a whole different personality and a different status in the division.”

Here are the MLB betting stats for Tuesday’s game.  The White Sox have won the last five matchups between the two teams. The White Sox are 8-2 in their last 10 vs. the National League West. The White Sox are 16-35 in their last 51 games as a road underdog.  The White Sox are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The White Sox are 0-9 in their last 9 road games. The White Sox are 1-6 in Buehrle’s last 7 road starts.

The Dodgers are 2-5 in their last 7 games as a home favorite. The Dodgers are 14-37 in their last 51 Interleague games. The Dodgers are 5-16 in their last 21 vs. the American League Central. The Dodgers are 0-7 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Dodgers are 10-4 in Lowe’s last 14 starts as a favorite. The Dodgers are 0-4 in Lowe’s last 4 starts vs. the American League Central.

The Under is 7-1-1 in the White Sox last 9 vs. the National League West.

The Under is 5-1 in the White Sox last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 8-2 in the White Sox last 10 road games.

The Under is 4-1 in Buehrle’s last 5 starts vs. the National League West. The Under is 5-2 in Buehrle’s last 7 road starts.

The Under is 12-3 in the Dodgers last 15 games as a favorite. The Under is 5-2 in the Dodgers last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Over is 4-1 in Lowe’s last 5 starts vs. the American League Central. The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings between the two teams.

Pick: White Sox 2units

MLB Betting Preview
Arizona Diamondbacks (39-37) at Boston Red Sox (47-31)
Monday, 7:05 pm Eastern

SBG Global Opening Line: Red Sox  - 160 ,  Total  8.5 Under -115

Two first place teams open a three-game set in Boston on Monday as the Red Sox host the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Arizona comes into the series having lost three straight to the Twins and has scored just eight runs in their last four games overall.  They are 11-21 in their last 32 games. “We’re definitely in a bad streak right now,” pitcher Brandon Webb said, “It’s got to turn around sometime and I would think it’s got to be soon because it’s been a rough six weeks or so for us.”
SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Red Sox at Home.

Things may not get much better for Arizona in this series considering the Red Sox are 29-9 at home.  Boston sends Josh Beckett to the mound on Monday.  He is 7-4 with a 3.87 ERA this season and he is 4-0 at home this season.  He is 1-3 with a 5.65 ERA against Arizona in his career although he pitched well against them last year allowing two earned runs in eight innings.

The Diamondbacks go with Dan Haren on Monday.  He is 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA this season.  He allowed one run and four hits in seven innings in a win over Oakland last Wednesday. He is 1-3 with a 3.26 ERA in five career starts against Boston.  Arizona is 4-2 all-time against the Red Sox.

Here are the MLB betting stats for Monday’s game.  The Diamondbacks are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. American League East. The Diamondbacks are 13-29 in their last 42 Interleague games as an underdog. The Diamondbacks are 3-9 in their last 12 games as a road underdog. The Diamondbacks are 2-6 in their last 8 overall. The Diamondbacks are 1-6 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Diamondbacks are 4-0 in Haren’s last 4 starts.

SBG Global Current Line: Red Sox  - 170 ,  Total  8 Flat

The Red Sox are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. the National League West. The Red Sox are 41-11 in their last 52 Interleague home games. The Red Sox are 44-12 in their last 56 games as a home favorite. The Red Sox are 15-7 in their last 22 overall. The Red Sox are 7-1 in Beckett’s last 8 starts as a home favorite.

The Over is 8-0-1 in the Diamondbacks last 9 vs. the American League East.

The Over is 5-1 in the Diamondbacks last 6 games as a road underdog. The Over is 5-2 in the Diamondbacks last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.

The Under is 7-3 in Haren’s last 10 starts overall.

The Over is 4-1-1 in the Red Sox last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 5-2 in the Red Sox last 7 vs. the National League West. The Over is 5-2 in Beckett’s last 7 starts as a home favorite.

MLB Bettting Preview
Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs
Sunday, 8:05 pm Eastern – ESPN

The battle of Chicago wraps up on Sunday as the Cubs host the White Sox.  Neither team is treating this as a big series although the fans might be. “One thing about Sox fans, they show up and watch the game,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said, “I think it’s great. I think it’s fun. I think it’s good for the fans, good for everybody. Even if you try to avoid the circumstances, you can’t avoid the circumstances. But we’re in first place, they’re in first place. They’re playing great baseball.”

Check out the current line for this game at SBG Global.

Guillen realizes that the fans do care in Chicago. “A lot of people ask about the New York series,” Guillen said, “I don’t think the New York Series is bigger than this series. With all the respect to New York fans, this series here, I can’t believe it’s that important to the fans … but from a manager’s point, the only good thing about this series is when the game starts, you’re going to compete against one of the game’s best managers and one of the best teams in the game right now, and that’s the only good thing in my way.”

Many fans are hoping that the World Series will be an all-Chicago affair this year. The last all-Chicago World Series saw the White Sox beat the Cubs four games to two in 1906.  Two years later the Cubs won the World Series and they have not won it since.  The White Sox won their latest title in 2005.  This will be the first time since Interleague play started in 1997 that both teams will start the series in first place. “It’s great for the fans, it really is. It’s great for the city,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said, “Both teams have played well this year, which adds to it. We look forward to the challenge of facing them.”

MLB betting at SBG Global.

The pitching matchup on Sunday night should be a good one.  The Sox go with Javier Vazquez who is 7-5 with a 4.13 ERA this season while the Cubs counter with Ryan Dempster who is 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA.  Vazquez has struggled a bit of late.  He has allowed 14 runs in his last three starts but is 2-1 as the Sox have supported him well.  He has started three games against the Cubs in his career but does not have a decision. He has a 4.95 ERA in his career against the Cubs.

Dempster did not get a decision in his last start against Tampa Bay.  He will be happy to be back at Wrigley where he is 8-0 with a 3.13 ERA.

Before this series began the White Sox were 1-6 in the last 7 meetings between the two teams.  Before this series began the last five games between the two teams at Wrigley had gone over the total. Overall, the series was tied 30-30 heading into Friday and the home team had a 16-14 edge.

Pick Cubs 2 units