MLB Picks – Orioles vs Red Sox

There isn’t a team struggling more early on in this baseball season than the Boston Red Sox. They might get a solution to their woes though, as the majors worst team- the Baltimore Orioles- come to town in Friday night’s betting odds.

Baltimore Orioles (2-14 SU, 5-11 R/L, 5-11 O/U) at Boston Red Sox (6-10 SU, 4-12 R/L, 8-7-1 O/U)

Friday, April 23: 7:10 p.m.

Betting Odds:

Baltimore: +1 ½, -110, +190
(Jeremy Guthrie-R)

Boston: -1 ½, -110, -230
(Jon Lester-L)

Total Runs:

Over 8 ½: -120
Under 8 ½: Even

While we knew that Boston’s offense would be patchwork early on in 2010, few expected their pitching to struggle as much as it has. And no one has been worse than Boston’s starter on Friday.

The Red Sox will send Jon Lester to the mound, who through three starts is 0-2 with an abysmal 8.44 ERA. The stats back up those numbers, as he’s given up at least four earned runs every time out, and still hasn’t pitched past the sixth inning. For those thinking of betting the over/under on Friday, remember that all three of Lester’s starts this year have played over.

And while Lester has been terrible early on, he is hardly the only one to blame, as Boston’s offense has been stagnant this year, ranking 22nd in the league at just 4.06 runs per game. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (.288-5-13) has been just about the only bright spot early on, as veterans like Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and others have struggled out of the gate. Things haven’t gotten any easier, with starting outfielders Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury placed on the DL in the past few weeks.

When Boston welcomes the Orioles to town, they’ll be facing one of the few teams that have been worse than them this year. There’s really no other way to put it. The Orioles are bad. They’re averaging just 2.88 runs per game, and have a team batting average of just .225. Each of those stats puts them in the bottom three in the major leagues.

If the Orioles are to have any help Friday night, it’ll have to come from the right hand of Jeremy Guthrie. Despite his 0-2 record, Guthrie has actually been surprisingly effective this year, as he has pitched deep into all three of his starts, and not allowed more than three runs in any. All three have played under.

With Guthrie hot and Lester not, I’m calling for an upset in Friday night’s baseball betting odds.

The truth is, that no matter what way you cut it, the Red Sox just have not been good at all this year offensively, and while Guthrie is hardly a big name, he has been efficient, and effective, in two starts against Tampa Bay and one against Oakland. Lester on the other hand has been awful, and until he shows otherwise, stay away from him in the betting odds.

The Baltimore Orioles haven’t done a whole lot of winning in 2010. But at least for night, that’s going to change. Make them your pick Friday.

Aaron’s Pick: Baltimore +190 Moneyline –  JOIN HERE!