Put down this week’s NFL odds for a minute and check out this potentially explosive series on the baseball diamond, as Texas heads to Yankee Stadium to face the Yankees. New York can actually do their rivals from Boston a favor, as the Rangers opened this series trailing the Red Sox by 1.5 games in the wild-card race.

Tuesday, August 25, 7:05 PM ET – Kevin Millwood (9-8, 3.48) vs Joba Chamberlain 8-3, 3.98)

Millwood has never fared that well against the Yankees, as an earlier loss dropped him to 1-4 in eight starts with a 4.50 ERA when facing the Bronx Bombers. Chamberlain has given up four runs in each of his last three starts, and was given a break by manager Joe Girardi to try and keep him fresh. In three career starts against the Rangers, Chamberlain has yet to earn a decision, but he’s got a 7.11 ERA. Still, Millwood’s road woes (2-6 in 11 starts, a 4.28 ERA) are too much to give the Rangers the online betting edge.

MLB betting pick: Yankees

Wednesday, August 26, 7:05 PM ET – Derek Holland (7-7, 4.72) vs Andy Pettitte (10-6, 4.25)

Holland has given up eight runs in 6.1 innings against the Yankees this season, losing one of his two outings. Pettitte was tagged for five runs in five innings in Boston, and he hasn’t been all that good at Yankee Stadium, where he is 4-4 in 13 starts with a 4.83 ERA. Holland’s been on a roll in August, as he is 3-1 with a 2.13 ERA this month. Go with the Rangers in an upset in Wednesday’s MLB picks.

MLB betting pick: Rangers

Thursday, August 27, 1:05 PM ET – Dustin Nippert (4-2. 3.95) vs A.J. Burnett (10-7, 4.08)

Nippert allowed four earned runs in five innings of a 5-3 loss in Tampa Bay, and he was taken deep twice. The 6’8” righthander has never faced the Yankees, so nerves could be an issue. Burnett was rocked for nine runs in five innings of a loss in Boston, and three Red Sox players hit dingers off him. Maybe a visit from the Rangers is just what he needs as Burnett has won both of his starts against Texas in 2009, posting a 2.08 ERA. The Yankees are the smart pick in your sports betting software.

MLB betting pick: Yankees

While NFL betting players have the Giants-Patriots rivalry, it doesn’t hold a candle to when Boston and the Yankees get together on the diamond. The Red Sox won the first eight games of the season series before the Yankees swept them in four in the Big Apple. This weekend’s series takes place at Fenway Park.

Friday, August 21, 7:10 – Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.09) vs Brad Penny (7-7. 5.22)

Pettitte is 0-1 in two starts against the Red Sox this year despite a 2.08 ERA, but he’s coming off a season-high 10 strikeouts at Seattle, and he’s 5-2 in 11 road starts to go with a 3.17 ERA. Penny tossed six scoreless innings in his lone meeting with the Yankees this year, but he ended up with a no-decision in a 4-3 victory. However, he needs to right the ship soon as he’s 0-2 in three August starts so far, racking up a 6.11 ERA. Give the online betting edge to the veteran southpaw.

MLB betting pick: Yankees

Saturday, August 22, 4:10 – A.J. Burnett (10-6, 3.69) vs Junichi Tazawa (1-2, 5.40)

Burnett’s line in his last meeting with the Red Sox was a typical Burnett outing: 7.2 innings, one hit, six walks, six strikeouts in what turned out to be a 2-0 15-inning win for the Yankees. That no-decision took him to 0-1 in three starts against the Red Sox in 2009, and he’s not afraid to go to Fenway, where he is 3-1 in five career starts with a 3.56 ERA. Tazawa is making his third start of his career and fourth outing overall, and he gave up the homer to Alex Rodriguez that gave the Yankees that 2-0 win. Imagine having that as your big-league debut. I have a feeling it won’t get much better for him in Saturday’s baseball picks, either.

MLB betting pick: Yankees

Sunday, August 23, 8:05 PM ET – C.C. Sabathia (14-7, 3.58) vs Josh Beckett (14-4, 3.38)

This will be the toughest pick of the weekend for your gambling software, as these aces are tied for the American League lead in wins. Sabathia has split a pair of meetings with the Red Sox this year, throwing a two-hitter over 7.2 innings in a 5-0 shutout. Beckett is coming off his worst outing the year, giving up seven runs in 5.1 innings against Toronto, and he’s been taken deep five times in his last two starts. He’s also 2-0 in four starts against the Yankees this year, with a career mark of 9-4 and an ERA of 5.03 in 16 starts. He may not get the decision, but Beckett will do enough to keep the Yankees from sweeping Boston in their own stadium, so go with the Red Sox in Sunday’s MLB picks.

MLB betting pick: Red Sox

Like UFC betting warriors, the most heated rivals in baseball slug it out this week. What does the MLB schedule have in store in addition to the Yankees and Red Sox?

Wednesday, August 5

Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays – 7:08 p.m. ET

Brad Penny (7-5, 5.07) vs David Price (4-4, 5.10)

As we may see with the Patriots’ NFL odds this season, the Red Sox are surging back toward the top of the AL East and, while Brad Penny is a capable starter, they have a tall order against Tampa on Wednesday. As bad as David Price has been, all those struggles come on the road. At Tropicana Field, he’s dominant.

Thursday, August 6

Colorado Rockies @ Philadelphia Phillies – 1:05 p.m. ET

Aaron Cook (10-3, 3.88) vs Cliff Lee (1-0, 1.00)

Can new Phillie Cliff Lee dazzle again? He tossed a complete game in his first start after coming over in a trade-deadline deal last week from Cleveland. He’ll have to keep Colorado’s offense to a minimum against Aaron Cook and his 6-2 road record.

Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees – 7:05 p.m. ET

John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12) vs Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58)

What’s the deal with John Smoltz? BoSox fans haven’t gotten the savior they hoped for so far this season. Maybe a clash with the Yankees will awaken the Smoltz we know and love. Meanwhile, Joba Chamberlain, whose filthy stuff reminds us of Smoltz’s heyday, takes the hill for the Bronx Bombers.

Friday, August 7

Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees – 7:05 p.m. ET

Josh Beckett (13-4, 3.27) vs A.J. Burnett (10-5, 3.89)

The former Marlin teammates meet yet again. The last duel went to Beckett, but Burnett could battle back in the comfort of Yankee Stadium. Betting services may continue to recommend Beckett, who can beat anyone these days.

Chicago Cubs @ Colorado Rockies – 9:10 p.m. ET

Carlos Zambrano (7-4, 3.35) vs Ubaldo Jimenez (8-9, 3.76)

What’s a more likely sports prediction – a win for big Carlos Zambrano or him hitting a home run at Coors? Whatever happens, it should be an exciting game, with Zambrano matching up against another electric hurler, Ubaldo Jimenez. Expect lots of strikeouts, walks, and homers in this one.