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MLB

MLB Predictions / Previews: L.A. Dodgers

MLB Team Preview – Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers were stuck in neutral until they acquired a player who might just be the best right-handed hitter in Major League Baseball history. They were a small-ball team until they acquired Manny Ramirez at the trade deadline last season but now that he’s here for the long haul, MLB betting fans know that the Dodgers will be as well.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Arizona Diamondbacks

MLB Team Preview – Arizona Diamondbacks

Earlier this week in MLB betting, we discussed the rise and fall of the Colorado Rockies between 2007 and 2008, and how they were an extremely tough team to forecast this season. Well, their division rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks, are in a similar boat for the 2009 MLB odds. We know they have talent – particularly in the pitching department – but can the young bats catch up to the arms and lead the D’Backs to the playoffs?

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MLB Predictions / Previews: San Francisco Giants

MLB Team Preview – San Francisco Giants

San Francisco is an MLB betting darkhorse in the National League West, which is more of a statement about the weakness of the division than it is about the Giants. San Francisco has a great pitching staff, but unless its finds a way to generate more run support, it could be another long season in the City by the Bay.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Colorado Rockies

MLB Team Preview – Colorado Rockies 

In 2009 MLB betting, few teams are tougher to predict than the Colorado Rockies. A year after a magical late-season run boosted them into the playoffs and the World Series, the Rockies tumbled to a 74-88 record. Which is the real Colorado team? Most online betting fans would answer “why, somewhere in between, silly,” but even that is no sure thing.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: San Diego Padres

MLB Team Preview – San Diego Padres

MLB betting players know that pitching will take you a long way, but what’s the point if there’s no offense to drive in runs? This is the problem facing San Diego heading into the MLB season, and sportsbook odds are against the Padres in 2009.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Milwaukee Brewers

MLB Team Preview – Milwaukee Brewers

In MLB betting, Prince Fielder embodies the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s big, strong, and loveable, and the Milwaukee team, full of young sluggers, gives us the same feeling. But no amount of cuddliness can change the fact that the Brewers will take a step back in 2009. When you subtract CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets from a playoff team’s rotation and replace them with no one, there’s no way you’ll win 90 games again.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Chicago Cubs

MLB Team Preview – Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs‘ “curse” has been running strong for just over 100 years now, and fans and bettors alike are anxious to know if this is finally the season they break the jinx. Sportsbook oddsmakers certainly seem to think they have a shot. 

At +450, Cubs odds to win the World Series are telling. Chicago rolled up an impressive 97 wins last year, tops in the National League and tied for second in all of baseball.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: St. Louis Cardinals

MLB Team Preview – St. Louis Cardinals

In MLB betting, the American League and National League are different beasts. Whereas the Red Sox and Yankees are shoe-ins to contend every year, the NL’s divisional and MLB Wild-Card playoff picture varies wildly. Remember when the Rockies made the World Series in 2007, then went 74-88 the last year?

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Cincinnati Reds

MLB Team Preview – Cincinnati Reds

Looking at the National league’s baseball betting odds this season, you have to wonder…could the Big Red Machine be on the way back to glory? 

Sure, the Cubs are unparalleled, but the next rung in the crowded NL Central is up for grabs. The Brewers may regress, the Cards should improve, and the Reds may sneak past both of them if everything goes right at the sportsbook. Even with the loss of Adam Dunn, they’ll score plenty of runs and their starting pitching may finally measure up to the young bats.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Houston Astros

MLB Team Preview – Houston Astros

The Houston Astros were an MLB betting surprise in 2008, staying afloat in the tough NL Central division and winning 86 games. Even though 86 wins doesn’t scream “playoff contender,” I still think that total was a fluke. The Astros are thin on talent, particularly in the pitching department, and they’ll be hard pressed to match last season’s online betting “success.”

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Pittsburgh Pirates

MLB Team Preview – Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh-area fans have been spoiled over the past few years, what with the collective success of the Steelers, Penguins and Panthers. Apparently, somebody forgot to send the memo to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and it looks like another long season in Steeltown for this baseball club.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: New York Mets

MLB Team Preview – NY Mets

Mets hoping bolstered bullpen gets them over the hump – At first glance, the New York Mets enjoyed a respectable season, winning 89 games and featuring a number of players that put on impressive seasons. In reality, it was another wildly disappointing year in New York. The Mets were met with yet another September swoon, dashing their postseason hopes despite a strong start to the season.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Team Preview – Philadelphia Phillies

In MLB betting, the type of champion varies from year to year. Sometimes we see a dominant franchise rule the roost wire to wire and take the World Series odds; the 2007 Boston Red Sox come to mind. Sometimes we see good but not great teams overcome their flaws to play their best baseball in October and win it all. The 2006 St. Louis Cardinals come to mind, and so do the 2008 Phillies.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Atlanta Braves

MLB Team Preview – Atlanta Braves

Atlanta used to be an MLB betting certainty to win the National League East, as it took the division 11 straight years. After three years of third and fourth-place finishes, the Braves have reloaded and are looking to challenge New York and Philadelphia in the East.

The Braves scored 770 runs last year, and they got rid of slugger Mark Teixeira late in the season, which definitely hurt their offense.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Florida Marlins

MLB Team Previews – Florida Marlins 

We know what to expect entering 2009 MLB betting for the NL East. The Marlins are in the middle of their typical five-year cycle: dismantle World Champion roster, acquire boatloads of prospects, slowly develop them, become competitive, sign a couple free agents for playoff push, win World Series, rinse and repeat.

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MLB Predictions / Previews: Washington Nationals

MLB Team Previews – Washington Nationals

While MLB betting fans will never mistake the Washington Nationals for the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays or even the 2009 Kansas City Royals, things may finally be looking ever-so-slightly up for them this season. While only a die-hard online sports betting player knows anything about their obscure pitching staff, it definitely looks like this team will hit in 2009. Think of them as the Baltimore Orioles of the NL East.