MLB BETTING : Red Sox @ Phillies on Friday

Most sports betting tipsters had Philadelphia and Boston at or near the top of the list when it came to World Series favorites heading into the season, and even though both ball clubs have started badly, you know they’re going to be a factor before it’s all done.

The two teams meet in the Philadelphia on Friday night in the marquee interleague matchup of the weekend.

Boston Red Sox (18-20) @ Philadelphia Phillies (20-19)
– Friday, 7:05 PM ET

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard (3-4, 4.30) snapped a two-start losing skid with a great performance in a 12-1 romp at home against Cleveland, and sportsbook sharps should know that the Red Sox have scored a combined 28 runs in his three wins.

Bard is a converted reliever, and he scattered a run on six hits over six innings, with a pair of strikeouts and four walks, and while that is still an issue with Bard, he seems like he has the resolve to get over it; this is a frequent concern when you bring someone from the bullpen to the rotation.

The 26-year-old has made four relief appearances against the Phillies, recording a save, but he has posted a 9.82 ERA: all four appearances have come in Philadelphia.

Phillies' pitcher Cole Hamels (5-1, 2.28) returned from suspension with another solid performance in a 3-2 win at home over San Diego, allowing a run on five hits over seven innings of work, striking out five and walking three.

Hamels, who would be a pretty nice Cy Young darkhorse if you’re betting online, was suspended for five games for intentionally hitting Washington rookie Bryce Harper and then admitting it, but he only missed a start and never missed a beat. The 28-year-old lefty is 3-0 in four starts against the Red Sox with a 1.44 ERA, and he is 2-1 in three starts at home with a 2.79 ERA.

Betting Trends
Betting odds should favor the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, but the Red Sox have won six of their last 10 in Philadelphia with five games going over the posted total, along with a push.

Even though most of the attention in Philadelphia goes to former Cy Young winners Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, Hamels may be the Phillies best big-game pitcher with the postseason awards to prove it and it won’t be hard to find motivation for this game as the Phillies will be seeing a team they could meet in the World Series.

Put Hamels against a converted reliever and the odds should be tilted heavily towards the Phillies, who should pay out with a victory on Friday night in Philadelphia.

Betting Pick : Take Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 Run line at +155 at BetOnline Sportsbook.