Phillies

Phillies

Opening Day in the 2011 Major League Baseball season got underway yesterday, as 12 teams played six games, including several exciting finishes. Most notably, Ramon Hernandez of the Cincinnati Reds connected on a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to propel the Reds to a 7-6 victory over division rival Milwaukee.
Now, it is part-two of the Opening Week in baseball, with the remaining 18 teams getting underway on Friday, along with several teams from the first day with 11 games scheduled.
At the forefront of those teams on the list to play today are the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. Both of these teams are the betting favorites on MLB Futures Odds at Bodog Sportsbook to win the the National League and American League and meet in the 2011 World Series. The Red Sox enter the season as the favorite in the AL East, even ahead of the New York Yankees, and the overall favorite to capture the World Series Championship.
In addition to a solid pitching staff, Boston added several pieces to the puzzle that could potentially work out well, including Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. The Red Sox open up against the defending AL Champions in the Texas Rangers, and are a featured MLB Betting Line on Bodog. Jon Lester will take the mound against C.J Wilson.
Wilson looks forward to the challenge of the new Red Sox lineup.
“I like pitching against good teams and I like pitching in those kind of big situations,” Wilson remarked. “Every victory is important, but last year I pitched really well against the Red Sox, so I’m sure they have a little bit of a bone to pick with me.”
For the Phillies, they take on Houston at home to open the season with Roy Halladay taking the hill.
“I think we’re all anxious, more so to get back to the postseason,” Halladay remarked of his team this season. “That being the goal and having another quality team to put on the field, I think we’re all anxious. Opening day is just the start of it.”
The Phillies embark on the mission to make their third World Series in the last four seasons. Philadelphia captured the 2008 title, but lost to the Yankees in 2009. Already out of the gate though, the Phillies are dealing with injuries to key players, such as second baseman Chase Utley and closer Brad Lidge.
MLB Schedule, April 1- All Times Eastern
Houston at Philadelphia 1:05 PM
Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs 2:20 PM
Chicago White Sox at Cleveland 3:05 PM
Boston at Texas 4:05 PM
Arizona at Colorado 4:10 PM
Minnesota at Toronto 7:07 PM
NY Mets at Florida 7:10 PM
Baltimore at Tampa Bay 7:10 PM
LA Angels at Kansas City 8:10 PM
Seattle at Oakland 10:05 PM
San Francisco at LA Dodgers 10:10 PM
Sources: http://www.sportsbookgurus.com

Phillies