I like boston and the over at first glance.. As we've all noticed. Taking an under in this matchup is like playing with fire. These guys hate each other so much that if they can score 10runs in 1 inning, already up by 10, they most definitely will. Barry is BHP and he has always been one of my favorite under umps, but there is really no way i can expect him to neutralize huge innngs strictly based on strike zone. May pass on total.
Beckett got the win last time out, but he was getting hit the first few and seemed to settle down after hitting a stride. Boston seems to rely on that big inning that usually comes in the 5th-7th. I like beckett at even money, but the bottom line is simple. Boston needs beckett to come out focused, or they they're going to have to rely on their traditional big inning. I'm more inclined to think beckett comes out and has a respectable showing with this playoff tension and atmosphere while being on national TV. Afterall, he is the post season god. This is probably as close as u can get to that sort of circumstance early in the year... agree with boston ml