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MLB

Washington vs. San Francisco MLB Prediction

Thursday Nationals vs. Giants Free Pick

Craig’s MLB Free Play for May 11th, 2009. Craig’s MLB free play is on the NL matchup between the Washington Nationals and the San Francisco Giants. Lets look at the records and trends in this series!

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MLB

MLB Betting + Handicapping Tips

Hot and Cold Baseball Teams Week 5

The baseball season is in full swing and Matt Fargo will be examining teams that are hot and teams that are not and how they can make us some money. This week he takes a look at the cold teams that may be providing some good value to play against.

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MLB

Phillies vs. Cardinals Odds + Preview/Pick (May 5)

Howard Having Blast – Philadelphia Phillies St. Louis Cardinals

Phillies’ Howard Having Blast In Hometown State, Cards Look To Snap Skid

The St. Louis Cardinals (17-9 SU, 15-11 RL, 13-11-2 O/U) will be looking to snap their modest two-game losing streak for BetUS MLB sports betting backers when they host the Philadelphia Phillies (13-10 SU, 9-14 RL, 13-8-2 O/U) at Busch Stadium tonight at 8 PM ET.

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MLB

2009 NL Central Predictions

NL Central Division Betting Preview

The NL Central was the toughest division in the MLB last year. I am not looking for a repeat in 09. Several big time players left the division during the off-season. Milwaukee will feel the biggest losses after a 2nd place finish. How far will they fall? Keep reading to find out.

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MLB

2009 AL Central Predictions

AL Central Division Betting Preview 

2009 is going to be a season with a big shift in MLB standings compared to last year.  Some teams improved via trade and free agency and others didn’t change up much in the off season.  There could be a couple teams with massive fire sales mid-year.  

Here is how I see this division playing out in 2009.

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MLB

MLB Predictions: Rangers Season Wins Over/Under Odds

2009 Texas Rangers Wins Predictions – Lines & Baseball Props

Texas Rangers (2008 Record: 79-83, 2nd place in AL West, 21 GB)

Since their late ’90’s run of division titles and playoff appearances, the Rangers have done a complete about face when it comes to winning baseball. With the exception of a decent 2004 season under Buck Showalter, in which they finished 16 games above .500, this team has failed to push their record into the black in ten years.

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MLB

MLB Predictions: Braves Season Wins Over/Under Odds

2009 Atlanta Braves Wins Predictions – Lines & Baseball Props

Atlanta Braves (2008 Record: 72-90, 4th place in NL East, 20 GB)

America’s Team was the model of consistency between 1991 and 2005, winning 14 division titles, 4 National League pennants, and 1 World Series in that span. Anchored by dominant pitching staffs and led by the legendary Bobby Cox, the Braves were the class of the NL year after year. The tide has shifted, however, and Atlanta has been unable to punch its ticket to the post-season for three seasons running.

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MLB

MLB Predictions: Rays Season Wins Over/Under Odds

2009 Tampa Bay Rays Wins Predictions – Lines & Baseball Props

Tampa Bay Rays (2008 Record: 97-65, 1st place in AL East, AL Champions)

The Rays as a team were definitely one of the feel good stories of the year in 2008, riding a healthy mixture of youth and optimism all the way to the AL Pennant. Perennial bottom dwellers since their inception 10 years earlier, the ’08 Rays came out of the gate strong and never really looked back.

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MLB

MLB Predictions: Mariners Season Wins Over/Under Odds

2009 Seattle Mariners Wins Predictions – Lines & Baseball Props

Seattle Mariners 2008 Record: 61-101, 39 GB in AL West

By far the most disappointing team in baseball last year, the Mariners and new manager Don Wakamatsu look to return some semblance of respectability to the Pacific Northwest. On paper this was a club filled with promise as it broke camp last March, carrying a pitching staff that had the potential to keep the M’s in the playoff chase all season.

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MLB

MLB Predictions: Cubs Season Wins Over/Under Odds

2009 Chicago Cubs Wins Predictions – Lines & Baseball Props

Chicago Cubs 2008 Record: 97-64, NL Central Winner

After early post-season exits the past two seasons, the North Siders are in prime position to make a run at their third straight NL Central title. Heartbreak has been a common theme for this franchise since what seems like the dawn of time, but they will once again sport a roster that all but guarantees that they’ll at least be in the mix for a playoff spot in ’09.

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MLB

2009 NL West Predictions

NL West Division Betting Preview

2009 is going to be a two horse race between Arizona and Los Angeles. The other 3 teams are relying too heavily on un-proven players. San Francisco is the closest to contend but that will have to wait until 2010.

Here is how I see this division playing out in 2009.

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MLB

Red Sox 2009 MLB Prediction

Boston Red Sox 2009 Season Wins Prediction

Boston Red Sox (2008 Record: 95-67, 2 GB in AL East – AL Wild Card Winner)

After coming within 3 measly runs of another AL Pennant in 2008, the BoSox are back with what could be a much stronger team.

While the boys from the Bronx grabbed the East Coast headlines this Winter by spending enough money to purchase a small country, GM Theo Epstein and crew took a somewhat different approach to retooling. By taking fliers on injury risks with tremendous upside and proven track records like John Smoltz, Brad Penny, and Rocco Baldelli, they may wind up getting the most bang for their buck out of all the 30 MLB teams.

Even if the aforementioned players do not pan out, the Sox still boast a very strong roster. The outfield is made up of a formidable group featuring Jason “don’t call me Manny” Bay, Jacoby Elisbury, and JD Drew in right with Baldelli able to fill in at all 3 positions. Being with the team from the start of the season should boost Bay’s numbers, who still put up a respectable showing after having to fill some really big shoes down the stretch in ’08. The right side of the infield is solid with on-base machines Kevin Youkilis and reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia. The left side, on the other hand, is a bit of a question mark with third baseman Mike Lowell recovering from hip surgery and the shortstop position up for grabs in a battle between veteran Julio Lugo and 25-year old Jed Lowrie.

After a lot of uncertainty over contract details, the Sox were finally able to bring back the man with the C on his jersey to man the backstop. Reduced to a mediocre hitter at this point in his career, Jason Varitek is still crucial to the success of a pitching staff which is relying on some young but effective arms like phenom Jon Lester and even some key bullpen pieces such as Boston native Manny Delcarmen.

The starting rotation is as deep as they come, led by post-season hero Josh Beckett, Lester, and Dice-K, and rounded out by knuckleballer Tim Wakefield and newcomer Penny. Smoltz is expected back in May, which should push either Wakefield or Penny to an already solid pen. If injuries should hit, already experienced youngsters Clay Buckhholz and Justin Masterson are waiting in the wings as well as top prospect Michael Bowden. The fiery Johathan Papelbon may be the best 9th inning man in the league next to Mariano Rivera and he now has ex-Dodger Takashi Saito, a closer in his own right, to set him up.  If David Ortiz can bounce back to anything close to his 2007 form, Terry Francona’s squad should once again be playing meaningful October baseball. Look for Boston to finish with around 97 wins this season.

Bet Online Under/Over: Under/Over 95 Wins (-115)

Scott’s Prediction: 97 Wins

 

Scott wants to hear from you!!! Hit him up with a comment below!!! Scott Orgera is a regular contributor to the Capper’s Picks Blog and can be reached at scottorgera @ hotmail.com

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MLB

Orioles 2009 MLB Prediction

Baltimore Orioles 2009 Season Wins Prediction

Baltimore Orioles 2008 Record: 68-93, 28.5 GB in AL East

The O’s finally appear to be headed in the right direction after years of misguided acquisitions and poor draft choices. They are still a few years away from challenging in what should once again be baseball’s toughest division.

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MLB

2009 AL West Predictions

AL West Division Betting Preview

The AL West has been pretty predictable in the past. This year will be no different. The Los Angeles Angels have been the steady front runner in this division for some time. They play a smart brand of baseball but will be tested this year.

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MLB

AL West Betting Odds / Preview

Baseball Betting – Handicapping the Al West for 2009

The American League West is something of a residence for teams with major flaws. The Oakland Athletics have managerial expertise (have you read “Moneyball”?) but not a lot of money to work with, and it’s always a battle to put a competitive team on the field within such a meager budget.

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MLB

Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox Gambling

White Sox Turn To Floyd to Even Series with Rays in Game 4

The feisty Tampa Bay Rays (99-66 SU, 87-78 RL 77-86-2 O/U) will get another chance to show off their amazing resiliency following Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox (90-76 SU, 87-77 RL, 77-83-4 O/U) in the BetUS Sportsbook.