[...] t $100 to win $155). The Red Sox's three Js, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey, have a total of 45 1/2 victories with bettors asked to lay -115 on either the "over" or the "under." Bettors who believe the Phillies and Red Sox will meet in the World Series—each team is favored to win their respective pennant races—also can wager on which team win [...]

[...] he run-producing Adrian Gonzalez. If top starters Josh Beckett and John Lackey bounce back from sub par seasons and freshly acquired Bobby Jenks helps out in the bullpen, Boston could wind up in the World Series opposite Philadelphia. The Yankees still have a solid lineup, a bull at the top of the rotation in CC Sabathia and a legendary closer in Mariano Rivera but failing to sign Lee and [...]

[...] rter on Boston at the beginning of the year after Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Jon Lester, So far, Buchholz has the lowest ERA of the bunch, although Lester is pitching great lately too. The 25-year-old Buchholz has won his last five starts with a .99 ERA. The righty threw a complete game five-hitter at Baltimore last outing. Manager Terry Francona may not be ready to call him team ace, but [...]

[...] Wade Davis (0-1, 6.00 ERA) versus Boston’s Josh Beckett (1-0, 6.17 ERA). The Sox (4-5) are in fourth place in the AL East. Toronto is the surprise leader at 7-3, with New York and Tampa Bay at 6-3. It’s still very early, but you don’t want to fall too far behind if you’re Boston. New York was Boston’s opening opponent and the Yanks took two of three at Fenway [...]

[...] to the third spot in the BoSox's rotation behind Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. That means the savvy righty will go head-to-head with other teams' third-best starters and have Boston's potent bats providing support on the scoreboard. Just look to Tim Wakefield as an example of Lackey's profit potential; the knuckleballer was among the Top 20 money winners behind Beckett and Lester last year. Sc [...]

[...] does need better years from high priced starters Josh Beckett and John Lackey to supplement Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. The bullpen looks very good after adding Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks as sixth and seventh inning guys. All that said, this win total is a little high. Prediction: Under 95 ½ wins New York Yankees New York is +365 to win the AL Pennant and +535 to win the Worl [...]

[...] contest, Boston won 9 out of their last 13 games. Josh Beckett turned in one of his best starts of the season against a Tigers lineup that ranks among the toughest in the Majors. He put runners on in the early innings, but allowed just one run before retiring the final 10 batters he faced. He also struck out eight, including the 1,000th strikeout of his career. Beckett has six career starts agains [...]

[...] k coming back normal, he could be out for awhile. Josh Beckett – Beckett made a successful return from the DL on Tuesday night, recording his eighth win of the season after limiting Cleveland to two runs over seven innings. Beckett was pestered by blister and finger problems earlier in his career so this might not be his only trip to the DL this season.Bartolo Colon – Colon has complai [...]

[...] he difference between a winning and a losing bet .Josh Beckett – The cut on Beckett’s right middle finger is healing normally and he was scheduled to pitch five innings in the bullpen on Wednesday. As long as everything continues to go as planned for Beckett’s finger he should come off the DL on May 29 to face Cleveland.Jose Hamilton – A bout of gastroenteritis landed Hamil [...]

[...] nd again that may change if it gives him problems.Josh Beckett – Beckett left his last start early after a cut on his finger worsened after every pitch he threw. Beckett’s next scheduled start is Friday, but that could be pushed back if the cut doesn’t heal enough for him to pitch without it being a problem.Derrek Lee – Lee left Sunday’s game with neck spasms and ende [...]