After coming back from 3 games down against the Yankees in the ALCS 2 years ago, hopes were high for the Redsox to take the division last season but they came up short. The 2006 AL East is slated to go down to the wire once again. No matter who takes the division though, the Redsox should be a good team to back this season, especially at Fenway.

Boston has been a solid home bet over the last 3 seasons as they have gone 162-81. But they havent been nearly as effective on the road. Vegas has been successful in bating bettors with eye-pleasing lines when the Sox have been away from Bean Town. For example, if Curt Schilling is on the hill at home with a -240 line, most bettors will only wager a small amount where as if hes pitching away from Fenway with a -123 line, bettors are more likely to load up in this case. You need to try to avoid this trap as bookmakers will take small defeats at home because theyll get their money back when these upper echelon teams fall on the road.

In looking at personnel, Josh Beckett will add another Cy Young quality pitcher to an aging but solid staff. He has had post season experience pitching in big games with the Marlins and already has a World Series ring at just 25 years of age. He could put them over the top in the AL East this season. Injuries really killed the BoSox season last year when both Curt Schilling suffered to a 5.69 ERA while their closer Keith Foulke ended up with a 5.91 ERA and only 15 saves. If they get these two guys back and healthy then it will be so much of a boost that I think they can over take the Yankees as the favorites to win the American League.

Second baseman Mark Loretta who is coming over from San Diego figures to be a solid contributor hitting in the number two slot. With Ortiz and Ramirez hitting behind him, the Redsox appear to be stacked. Loretta has a .365 career on base percentage. If he matches that Bostons potent offense may reach career highs in runs scored. Things are looking good anyway, as Renteria scored 100 runs in a down year last season hitting ahead of Ortiz and Ramirez. Boston is expecting more production out of Loretta. The loss of Johnny Damon to the Yankees will provide a hole at the top of their lineup, so it will be important for new guys like Coco Crisp, who did bat .330 last season, and Willie Mo Pena, who has a lot of power, to fit in quickly. Defensively this team should be a little better this season, but the bats will most likely suffer a little bit. Dont expect this team to steal very many bases as people will get released immediately for taking the bats out of Ramirez and Ortizs hands.

This article was written by Jimmy Boyd Pick up his Baseball Betting Picks here.