MLB Betting: Red Sox Force Game 6 as Josh Beckett Beats Indians, 7-1

Kevin Youkilis got the Red Sox going with a first-inning homer. (AI Wire photo)

The Red Sox needed their ace to deliver and that's exactly what he did. Josh Beckett overcame a shaky first inning to remain unbeaten in the postseason, leading Boston to a 7-1 victory over the Indians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday night in Cleveland. Beckett, who also won Game 1, tossed eight outstanding innings, allowing five hits, one walk and one earned run while striking out 11.

The victory paid Boston backers -126 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $126 would net a $100 profit). It also sent the best-of-seven series back to Fenway Park for Game 6 on Saturday. The Indians still lead 3-2, but would have loved to have clinched the pennant at home in Jacobs Field.

Their effort to reach the World Series for the first time since 1997 got off to a poor start as Kevin Youkilis staked the Red Sox to an early lead with a solo home run in the first inning. Cleveland strung together three hits off Beckett in the bottom of the first to even the game but that was all the winningest pitcher in the majors this season allowed. The Red Sox hitters, meanwhile, got to C.C. Sabathia for four runs on 10 hits in seven innings. Youkilis finished 2-for-4 with two runs and four RBIs.

Jonathan Papelbon finished the game with a scoreless ninth inning.

In Game 6, the Red Sox will send veteran Curt Schilling to the hill against 23-year-old Fausto Carmona, who won 19 games for the Indians in the regular season and was victorious in Game 2 of this series. The winner of the ALCS meets the Colorado Rockies in the World Series, beginning Wednesday.

For ALCS odds and World Series odds, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.