TEAM TIPS Red Sox: John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12 ERA) has not done the job for Boston in seven starts since coming off the DL. He has yet to turn in a quality start. Boston is 2-5 in the seven games Smoltz has started. Smoltz has walked only five in 30 innings, but his rhythm and lack of command have been evident. The 42-year-old right-hander has surrendered six homers in his last three outings, spanning 16 2/3 innings. Smoltz was tagged for five runs on eight hits in his last start, a 6-5 win at Baltimore last Friday. Smoltz has only pitched in two regular-season games against the Yankees, posting a 4.50 ERA in two non-decisions. The Red Sox enter Yankee Stadium having defeated New York in all eight meetings this season, including two road games during the first week in May. The under is 4-2-2 in the first eight games.
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
The Yankees are anxious to get the Red Sox at home having been outscored, 42-24, in six losses in six games at Fenway Park. New York is 35-17 at Yankee Stadium, tied with Boston for the top home mark in the American League. The Yankees have won 27 of their last 37 games overall. They are 17-4 in their last 21 when facing a right-handed starter. Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58 ERA) turned in his best performance in his last start throwing eight innings of shutout ball in a 6-2 road win against Tampa Bay eight days ago. The 23-year-old righty is 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA since the All-Star break. New York has won 14 of Chamberlain last 17 home starts. Chamberlain didn’t get a decision in his lone start versus Boston after allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings on April 24.
PROJECTED SCORE: 6 (Side of the Day)
TOP TRENDS
Boston is 27-12 in its last 39 games versus American League East foes.
Boston is 8-3 under in its last 11 road contests.
New York is 43-18 (70 percent) in its last 61 home games.
TEAM TIPS Braves: Derek Lowe (11-7, 4.21 ERA) is quite familiar with Dodger Stadium having been a member of the Dodgers for four seasons before coming to Atlanta. The 36-year-old righty is 33-23 with a 3.21 ERA in 66 career starts at Dodger Stadium. He last pitched there on Sept. 21 of last season, shutting out the Giants for seven innings as a member of the Dodgers. The Braves are 5-0 in Lowe’s past five starts, including beating the Dodgers on Saturday in Atlanta. Lowe allowed three runs on five hits in six innings. The under is 10-4-1 in Lowe’s last 15 starts. The Braves have scored a combined 15 runs and knocked out 31 hits in their last two games, in road victories against the Padres Tuesday and Wednesday. First baseman Adam LaRoche is 9-for-18 in five games with the Braves since being acquired from the Red Sox.
PROJECTED SCORE: 4
Dodgers: Randy Wolf doesn’t have fancy numbers at 5-6 with a 3.54 ERA. But the Dodgers have won 14 of his last 18 home starts. Los Angeles is 12-3 in Wolf’s past 15 starts as a home favorite. The lefty faced the Braves in his last start on Saturday and lost, 4-3. Wolf yielded four earned and nine hits in six innings, while fanning seven. It was his first non-quality start since June 24, a span of seven starts. Wolf is 4-12 lifetime versus Atlanta. He is 0-5 against the Braves during the past six seasons. The Dodgers are 59-25 (70 percent) in their last 84 games when favored at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers also are 38-18 (67 percent) in their last 56 home contests when going up against a right-handed starter. Slugger Manny Ramirez is 9-for-47 (.191) with three RBI’s in his last 12 games.
PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (OVER - Total of the Day)
TOP TRENDS
The Over has cashed in 7 of the past 10 meetings between the Braves and Dodgers in Los Angeles
The Over is 6-2-1 in the Dodgers’ last nine home games.
Smart - Money 8/6
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