MLB World Series Odds: Red Sox and Braves Both Choke Away Playoffs
Thursday, September 29, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
Both led in the Wild Card, both out. If you're a Atlanta Braves or Boston Red Sox fan, you shouldn't be too surprised.
The Braves and Red Sox had insurmountable leads in the Wild Card race, 8.5 and 9 in early September respectively, and both decided to fall asleep at the wheel, figuratively driving themselves into a ditch they couldn't get out of Wednesday night. It's fitting that both held the lead at some point in the crucial contest, only to both lose 4-3.
Atlanta had the 3-2 lead going into the top of the 9th versus the Philadelphia Phillies, but Craig Kimbrel would blow his third save in September, giving up a run to tie the game 3-3. In the 13th Braves reliever Scott Linebrink put two Braves on base with just one out. Jimmy Rollins flied out to center, but Chase Utley grounded a 3-2 pitch into right field to keep the inning going. Hunter Pence would follow up with a go-ahead single.
When the Braves had their shot to tie in the bottom of the inning, only Dan Uggla could get on base with one out before Freddie Freeman hit into a 3-6-3 double play to end Atlanta's season.
Boston's season ending loss almost seemed like fate. The Red Sox had the lead and momentum before a rain delay seemingly changed their fortunes. They led the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 while their AL Wild Card rival, the Tampa Bay Rays, was down 7-0 to the New York Yankees. One hour and 26 minutes later and the Rays were down by just a run, and the Red Sox confidence seemingly washed away. Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox reliable closer the last six years, would give up two runs in the bottom of the 9th. Seconds later Longoria hit the game-winning home run for Tampa Bay.
“We’ll go down in history as one of the worst collapses in history, so it definitely doesn’t feel good to be part of that,” left fielder Carl Crawford said. “We had high expectations, and to fall short the way we did is definitely disappointing for us.”
Don't worry Carl, you're not the only team.
The MLB playoffs begin Friday! Get your MLB odds right now!
Related Articles
- MLB Baseball Betting: Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies
- MLB Baseball Betting - 2011 World Series Futures Odds
- MLB Predictions & Odds: Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals
- April 27th MLB Baseball Odds: Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies
- MLB Baseball Predictions & Picks: Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh
Category
Tags
atlanta braves - boston red sox - carl crawford - chase utley - craig kimbrel - dan uggla - freddie freeman - hunter pence - jimmy rollins - jonathan papelbon
