Colorado at Boston

The Red Sox bats have really gone into a prolonged slump. It has led them to a 5-8 record over the last 13 games and has produced two runs or less in 6 of their last 8 games. The BoSox have struggled on the road in the past, but come home to Fenway and start scoring again. It hasn't happened and that means this team is really struggling at the plate. Josh Beckett has performed brilliantly and stands at 9-0. He has gotten run support of four or more runs in every start so he has not had to pitch in many close games or from behind at all. That may change tonight. Colorado is a surging team and after a bottom of 8 games below .500, they now have won 15 of 23, and a win tonight lifts them to .500, so this is a big game for them. They have done it with a bullpen that features five pitchers not yielding a run in a week and just two runs overall, and a team that has hit .290 over the last 7 days. Jeff Francis has pitched very well and even better lately. He has completed 7+ innings in 7 straight starts and has allowed just 38 hits in his last 51 innings - better than Beckett, and has walked just 6 in his last 6 starts - better than Beckett. The Red Sox are struggling and lead the majors in plus units from a wagering standpoint, but are negative against LHP. Francis certainly can match 0's with Beckett, and we think the Rockies have a legitimate shot at winning here.