Atlanta Braves (0-1) vs New York Mets (1-0)
If moving in the fences was supposed to spark offense at Citi Field the visiting Atlanta Braves certainly didn’t get the memo.
If moving in the fences was supposed to spark offense at Citi Field the visiting Atlanta Braves certainly didn’t get the memo.
The Kansas City Royals are heading into this season with a great deal of optimism.
I know it is early but I don’t like the look of this Red Sox team. They had an epic collapse last year and I don’t see where they are improved at all heading into this season. A bunch of players had great years last season and it still wasn’t enough.
The Miami Marlins have a whole new look this season. No longer are they the “Florida” Marlins, and no longer do they have low expectations.
First game of the year as St. Louis tried to defend its World Series title. The first and most obvious difference this season is that ALbert Pujols now plays for the Angels but this club enters the season with a lot more question marks than that.
Major League Baseball took a page from the NHL’s “captain’s picks” format for its Home Run Derby this season. It’s a neat idea in theory, pitting the American League’s Team David Ortiz against the National League’s Team Prince Fielder.
The MLB Playoffs are here. Welcome to the CappersPicks.com MLB predictions pages! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly MLB Baseball picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, baseball gambling articles and more to help you become the best baseball bettor on your block!!
American League:
Not surprisingly, the biggest race in the American League is situation in the East. The New York Yankees have the best record in baseball and were this close to getting Cliff Lee, a move that would have almost guaranteed another World Series title. Nevertheless, the New York pitching staff is all aces anyway, with C.C. Sabathia, Phil Hughes and the ageless Andy Pettitte leading the charge.
The Yankee offense is as potent as ever, and the emergence of Robinson Cano as a legit contender for the batting title makes the team that much more dangerous. The Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox are still in the hunt, although it doesn’t seem like either of them will be able to top the Yankees for the division title. It’s much more likely that one of those two teams will earn the wildcard spot.
The biggest surprise in the AL comes in the West, where the Texas Rangers have the biggest divisional lead in baseball (4.5 games up on the Angels). The Rangers offense, led by Josh Hamilton and a rejuvenated Vlad Guerrero, is one of the most powerful in the majors. However it’s the pitching that has been the real eye-opener.
Even before their coup to land Lee last week, the Rangers staff ranked high in team-ERA; the addition of the former Cy Young winner will only make them better.
AL World Series Pick: New York Yankees
I’m betting that the divisional leaders won’t change at all from midseason to the playoffs. New York, Minnesota and Texas should all win their divisions, and Tampa Bay will sneak into the wildcard. The Yankees will to come out of the foursome on top because of hitting, pitching and experience.
National League
All three division leaders at midseason are surprises to even the most talented baseball minds. The least surprising of the three is the Atlanta Braves atop the NL East. Although projected to be competitive, not many believed the Braves would be this good for this long.
The collapse of the Phillies starting rotation (outside of Roy Halladay) is also a factor in where Atlanta sits in the standings right now.
The NL Central, usually a pushover for the St. Louis Cardinals, has a new face at the top as well. The Cincinnati Reds had an impressive 3-game lead in the Central before losing four straight before the break, watching their divisional lead dwindle down to one. The team led by MVP-candidate Joey Votto may not have the pitching to last in the second half, although a very favourable schedule (one of the easiest in the NL) could help them reach the postseason.
But the biggest surprise in baseball belongs to the San Diego Padres in the NL West. Picked by many to be the worst team in the National League, the Padres have been in first place since May and currently hold a two game lead over Colorado and Los Angeles.
San Diego has the major’s best pitching staff and a penchant for big hits when they need them.
World Series Pick: St. Louis Cardinals
Contrary to the American League, I don’t see any division leader in the NL right now keeping that spot in season’s end. The Phillies and the Cardinals are too good to not win their respective divisions, and a late-season push by both teams is more likely to happen than the Reds and the Braves making the postseason.
I’m betting the Padres lose their lead because their offense is just not good enough; when their pitching hits a rough patch (and it inevitably will) the offense won’t be able to carry it to enough wins to fend off the rest of the division. Out of the three, Atlanta has the best chance for a wild card, although both LA and Colorado could challenge them.
St. Louis, with strong pitching and Albert Pujols, are the best bet to go all the way.
MLB Betting World Series Pick: New York Yankees over St. Louis Cardinals in six games
Poolside Rants hails from beautiful Bozeman Montana by way of Toronto, Canada. (Blame his wife for the move). He’s a Dallas Cowboys football honk. But please….don’t hold that against him. The man knows his sports and has uncanny knowledge when it comes to picking games.
By Matt Josephs for Steve Merril Sports
Baseball begins this week and below is a list of play-on and play-against pitchers for the 2010 MLB season.
NLCS betting continues on Wednesday night for what could be the close-out game of the series for the defending champions. Bookmaker Sportsbook customers will get another crack at an MLB gambling contest between the Los Angeles Dodgers (99-70, +$1,234) and the Philadelphia Phillies (99-71, +$808).
Series odds: Yankees -167
Pitching
The Yankees have the best overall starter in CC Sabathia who was 12-2 after the all star break. After that the Yankees open up to A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettite, and Joba or Chad Gaudin who was very solid down the stretch. It’s been said that the Yankees might go to a three man rotation with Sabathia starting game 4 and game 7.
Series odds: Dodgers -120
Pitching
As of Tuesday morning the starting pitchers have still not been announced although it looks like Cole Hamels will make the start for the Phillies.
Overall the Dodgers have the advantage as they led the Majors not only in overall ERA, but in Bullpen ERA. On the other hand the Phillies were ranked 7th overall and 13th out of their bullpen.
It’s East versus West in the American League Championship Series. The American League’s top two teams square off when the New York Yankees take on the Los Angeles Angels for a trip to the Fall Classic.
The ALCS gets underway in New York this Friday. The Yankees and Angeles have met 10 times this season with the teams splitting wins. Their most recent series was a three-game set in Los Angeles in which New York won two of three in late September.
The nation is divided with the National League coming to down to powerhouses on either coast. The Los Angles Dodgers prepare to meet the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series.
The NLCS begins Thursday in Los Angeles. This is the second straight year these teams have met for a shot at the World Series. Last year, Philadelphia won this series in five games, outscoring the Dodgers 25-20, but did start the series at home and won two of three in Los Angeles.
The New York Yankees went on an unparalleled spending spree last season and it ended up helping them have the best record in baseball at 103-59. Everyone knows that is fine and dandy, however, how New York plays in October will determine if it was money well spent. They’ll start the playoffs as the league favorite at +160 to win the World Series according to Sportsbook.com.
They are also a heavy divisional series favorite over the Twins. See all the exciting game, series, and prop options available on the LIVE ODDS page.
The Red Sox and Angles will be the last teams to start up their divisional series, giving bettors at least an extra day to prepare for all the exciting wagering opportunities available. Right now, you can bet on each game, side and total, the series, including exact game props, plus numerous other player and team options at Sportsbook.com.
Read on for a preview of the Boston-Los Angeles series, then head over to the LIVE ODDS page to analyze the options.