Friday MLB Baseball Picks: Tigers vs Red Sox
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MLB Betting – Rangers vs Phillies Preview & Pick
Date: May 20, 2011
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Broadcast: KTXA, WB17
Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies Betting Lines from Betonline.com
Money Line: Phillies -160
Over/Under: 7 (-110)
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Texas Rangers (23-20 through May 18)
C.J. Wilson (4-2, 3.37)
After a 9-1 start to the season, the Texas Rangers have gone 14-19, It’s hard to blame them; reigning American League MVP Josh Hamilton and their second-best power threat, Nelson Cruz, remain on the DL, though both guys could return within a week.
The Rangers have shown some signs of life lately, winning five of seven. Adrian Beltre and his 10 homers have been a big part of that surge. C.J. Wilson, who will start Friday’s interleague affair against the Phillies, is coming around. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of four starts. I still think Wilson is a bit lucky, as he walked 13 guys over that stretch, but the Rangers seem to like playing in front of him. They’re 31-13 over Wilson’s last 44 starts.
Philadelphia Phillies (26-16 through May 18)
Roy Halladay (5-3, 2.21)
The Phillies’ Phantastic Phour of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt have to be growing frustrated. They’ve guided the Phils to a 3.06 team ERA, third best in baseball. Over their last five games, the Phillies have allowed 5, 3, 3, 2 and 1 runs – and they’ve won once.
The Phils have scored 3, 2, 1, 1 and 2 runs. The Phillies! The powerhouse Phillies! Where has the offense gone?
The truth is that Ryan Howard just doesn’t have enough support right now. Raul Ibanez’s age has caught up to him; even though Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco have done admirable jobs, they’re not natural run producers. They desperately need Chase Utley and maybe top prospect Domonic Brown in the lineup.
MLB Trends:
TEX are 4-9 in their last 13 road games.
Over is 10-2-2 in Wilsons last 14 starts on grass.
Over is 9-2-1 in Wilsons last 12 starts overall.
PHI are 22-8 in their last 30 Fri. games.
PHI are 48-22 in their last 70 home games.
PHI are 13-3 in Halladays last 16 home starts.
The pick:
As dominant as Doc Halladay is against almost everyone, a few teams have his number time and time again. The Brewers showed that earlier this season; the Rangers are another team that consistently gets to him. Doc is just 7-7 with a 5.36 ERA against them in his career. He’s had problems with Ian Kinsler and Mike Napoli, both of whom hit above .300 against him.
Given that the Rangers play well in front of Wilson, that they’ve succeeded against Halladay in the past and that they’ll face a Phillies lineup struggling to score, I like them as an upset play on Friday night.
Rangers vs Phillies prediction: Rangers 4, Phillies 2
