World Series Baseball Betting Game 2: Must win for Yankees
Nick Shiambouros selects the best bets as the Yankees aim to hit back in the biggest game on Earth...
The Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Yankees 6-1 in a dominant performance at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night. The home crowd were silenced as Philly starter Cliff Lee pitched one of the finest post-season games I have ever seen. Lee gave up just six hits as he painted the strike zone with the accuracy of a surgeon.
The Yankee hitters were left frozen at the plate as Lee struck out Mark Teixera, Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada in the fourth inning. Believe me, that is no mean feat.
On the hitting side for Philadelphia the middle order came through with flying colours. Chase Utley hit two monster home runs and Ryan Howard grabbed a couple of hits.
CC Sabathia had a fair evening but he was a little short of his best.
On Thursday night the Yankees start A.J.Burnett in a critical game. It is essential that this experienced pitcher starts well as he can be a little wayward. He has made mistakes against Philadelphia in the past and they have been severely punished so the pressure on him will be enormous.
The Phillies start veteran Pedro Martinez who has lost a little power over the last couple of years. I must admit, I am slightly surprised by the decision to start him in Game 2 as I expected Cole Hamels to get the assignment.
The Yankees are in a must win situation now - a defeat would leave them with a mountain to climb. I think it will be a high scoring affair tonight as both teams will swing the bat. Over 8.5 runs is the way to go.
I am amazed that the Yankees are still odds-on to win the World Series after what I saw last night. I will be taking the 2.06 on offer on Philadelphia as I think they will be very difficult to beat.
Recommended wagers:
Thursday back over 8.5 runs at 1.83
Back Philadelphia to win the World Series at 2.08
(c) Betfair 2007-2009.
World Series Betting Game 1: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees
The Phillies will trot LHP Cliff Lee to the bump in Game 1 of the World Series. The lefty has had his way in these playoffs, going 2-0 in his three starts with a 0.74 ERA and 0.70 WHIP. Lee, pitching in his first postseason this year, will face the daunting task of stopping a New York lineup that has scored at least four runs in all of its games in the playoffs. However, he has only conceded more than three earned runs in a game once since September 9th, when he was lit up for seven runs in six innings in Milwaukee. For his career, the southpaw has been mediocre at best against these Yanks, going just 4-4 with a 5.02 ERA in nine career starts. All things considered, Lee will need to be fantastic for the Phillies to steal Game 1 of this baseball betting affair, as his bullpen still has a ton of question marks, and any runs that his squad can score against the Yankees will be a real bonus.
Why pose that type of a question for a team that has scored at least four runs in all but one of its playoff games this year? Because LHP CC Sabathia is the man on the other side of the diamond set to duke it out with Lee. The only reason that the lefty is throwing Game 1 of this series is because manager Joe Girardi elected to throw LHP Andy Pettitte instead of his horse in the clinching game of the ALCS. Not to be outdone, Sabathia is a perfect 3-0 in the playoffs with a 1.19 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. However, much like his opponent on Wednesday, New York's prized left-hander hasn/t had the greatest career in the world against his foe. Sabathia is 1-1 with a 4.35 career ERA against the Phils. This will be his first World Series start. If the Yankees are to be successful in this series, they are probably going to need to get some production from someone aside from 3B Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod is batting over .400 and leads the team in just about every category offensively, but there are five regular starters that are batting below .250, and that won't get it done against a Philly squad that is knocking the daylights out of the baseball right now.
Dating back to last season, the Phillies are an amazing 18-5 in their L/23 playoff games. Obviously, both teams have been relatively unstoppable so far in these playoffs. The Yankees have yet to lose a game at home in the playoffs, while the Phils have only lost one game on the road. These two teams met once during the regular season, with Philadelphia winning a three game set two games to one in Yankee Stadium in May.
(c) 2009 insider.justbet.
MLB Playoff Insider - Trouble for LA in both the American and National Leagues
MLB betting is in full swing with the League Championship Series changing scenes. The MLB postseason has provided some nail-biting moments for baseball handicapping, which will watch the ALCS move to Los Angeles while the NLCS stays east in Philadelphia for the next two games .
New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels
The Angels haven't been able to touch the New York Yankees' pitching staff in this series, falling down 0-2 in the ALCS heading into Monday night's Game 3. Los Angeles Angels are hitting just .154 in the opening two games of the series, with an on-base percentage of .464 and only four extra-base hits. The lack of runners on base has nullified the Halos' biggest weapon.
Los Angeles hasn't been able to steal bases, with only one stolen bag this series. In the regular season, the Angels relied heavily on their speed, ranking third in total stolen bases. Perhaps the move back to Los Angeles can spark their offense. The Halos were the best home-hitting team in the majors this season with a .288 batting average and an average score of nearly 5.5 runs per game. They also stole 62 bags inside Angel Stadium this year.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies
These two National League heavyweights have traded shots in the opening games of the NLCS. Philadelphia took a 2-1 series lead with a huge 11-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night. The Philadelphia Phillies continue to get great production from their big bats. Slugger Ryan Howard is hitting .385 with 12 RBI and one home run, Jayson Werth continues his breakout year with a three home runs this postseason, and Shane Victorino and Chase Utley are both hitting over .340 with a combined three home runs and 12 RBI.
Los Angeles' bats have gone flat in the past two games, totaling only two runs in the past two contests. The Dodgers opened the series with six runs in an 8-6 loss but are now hitting just .277 for the series. Los Angeles has 22 hits to Philadelphia's 34, with only four of those for extra bases. The middle of the Dodgers' order hasn't been able to get on a roll. Big names like Andre Ethier, Manny Ramirez, and Matt Kemp have combined for nine hits but only four RBI and five strikeouts heading into Monday's Game 4.
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
2009 MLB Playoffs - Red Sox and Angels ALDS Preview
The Boston Red Sox (95-67 SU, 83-79 RL, 76-77-9 O/U) and Los Angeles Angels (97-65 SU, 90-71 RL, 83-72-6 O/U) will meet in the postseason for the third consecutive year and fourth time in the last six seasons when they kick off their American League Division Series on Thursday at 9:30 PM ET.
This in-depth series preview will give avid BetUS MLB online betting members the insight they need to make winning wagers throughout the entirety of what promises to be a thrilling first-round series showdown.
With the first pitch for this series a mere matter of hours away, let me get started.
Red Sox
With Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, Boston may have the best four-deep starting rotation in the entire postseason.
Angels
John Lackey, Bobby Abreu Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins will all be free agents following this postseason and the Angels realize their time to strike is now. Los Angeles also has a solid four-man starting rotation even if they don't get nearly as much press as their counterparts in this series.
Offense
The Los Angeles Angels led all of baseball in team batting average, hitting a robust .285 this season while smacking 173 team home runs. The Red Sox ranked fourth in team batting average, hitting a collective .269 while bashing 212 home runs, also fourth in all of baseball.
The Angels had two players bat over .300 during the regular season (Erik Aybar, Kendry Morales) while three more players hit over .290 (Torii Hunter, Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu). Morales and Abreu each drove in over 100 runs. L.A. had just one player hit over 30 home runs (Morales) while three others hit at least 20 home runs (Mike Napoli, Hunter, Juan Rivera).
One thing that should also be mentioned is the fact that the Angels had three players, (Macier Izturis, Vladimir Guerrero and Howie Kendrick) miss time with injuries that limited them to approximately 380 at-bats, but all hit over .290 while driving in at least 50 runs.
Boston Red Sox had three players (Kevin Youkilis, Victor Martinez, Jacoby Ellsbury) bat over .300 this season but had just one 30-home run hitter (Jason Bay) and two players drive in 100 runs or more (Martinez, Bay), although two more players (Youkilis, David Ortiz) drove in over 90 runs while four more players hit at least 23 home runs (Youkilis, Martinez, J.D. Drew, Ortiz).
Edge: Even
Defense
The Red Sox ranked third in the AL and tied for ninth overall in runs allowed per game (4.5) while L.A. gave up an average of 4.7 runs per contest. Boston also gave up 9.2 hits and 3.3 walks per game while the Angels allowed 9.4 hits and 3.2 walks per contest. Boston recorded 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings while L.A. averaged 6.6 K's per game.
Edge: Even
Starting Pitching
The Red Sox ranked 16th in team ERA (4.34) while L.A. checked in at 20th (4.43 ERA). Boston held opposing hitters to a .267 batting average and .335 on-base percentage while giving up 167 total home runs. L.A. allowed opposing hitters to compile a .272 batting average and .338 on-base percentage while giving up 180 total home runs.
Boston had three double digit winners (Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, but no starter with an ERA under 3.00. The Angels had five double-digit winners this season, (Jered Weaver, John Lackey, Joe Saunders, Matt Palmer, Scott Kazmir) but like the Red Sox, none with an ERA under 3.00.
Edge: L.A.
Bullpen
The Red Sox ranked eight in the majors in bullpen ERA (3.80) while L.A. ranked 23rd in this category with an unimpressive 4.49 ERA. Boston's relief pitchers recorded a solid 27-17 record while limiting opposing hitters to a .252 batting average and giving up 51 home runs. The Angels' relief pitchers allowed opposing hitters to record a .270 batting average while allowing 52 home runs.
Edge: Boston
MLB Divisional Series Odds
Boston Red Sox -135
Los Angeles Angels +105
Analysis: While the Los Angeles Angels won the regular season series against the Red Sox 5-4, predicting the outcome of this series really boils down to which team you like more as these two ballclubs are about as evenly matched as two teams could possibly be.
Despite the fact that they've struggled mightily to beat the Red Sox in the postseason -- and Boston's starting rotation is healthy for the first time in months -- I am going to take the Los Angeles Angels to snap out of their dismal 1-9 postseason funk against the Red Sox if, for no other reason, than the fact that they are just too talented to continue to wallow in postseason futility.
Another factor that could come into play is the fact that Boston struggled mightily on the road this season, going an unimpressive 39- 42 in the regular season while L.A. compiled a solid 49-32 home record.
I think the addition of veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu may also be the key to an L.A. series victory. The sweet-swinging lefty is the only player in the major leagues besides Albert Pujols to drive in at least 100 runs in each of the last seven seasons.
I also think the Red Sox will have trouble with gifted switch-hitting first baseman Kendry Morales, who had a breakout season this year and absolutely exploded in the regular season's second half.
While it won't be easy, I like the Los Angeles Angels to overcome their postseason demons against Boston and win this series after going the distance.
Prediction: Los Angeles in 5
The Red Sox are +275 to win the American League Pennant in the bettor-friendly BetUS Sportsbook while the Angels are +400 to win the AL Pennant.
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
MLB Playoff Preview - Twins and Tigers for a Spot in the Playoffs
Baseball betting doesn't get any better than the MLB postseason. October's action has exciting matchups in the National and American League, which is still undecided heading into a play-in game in the AL Central on Tuesday.
In the National League, the defending World Series champs, the Philadelphia Phillies (-165), clash with the Colorado Rockies (+135). Philadelphia avoided a late-season collapse and heads into the postseason with pitching issues -- specifically their bullpen. While the starting rotation of Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, and veteran Pedro Martinez appears solid, the relief pitchers and closer situation with Brad Lidge could be the team's Achilles' heel.
The Rockies are once again playing their best baseball heading into the postseason. Colorado made a run at the NL West title, but settled for the Wild Card spot after going 45-29 in the second half of the season. The Rockies' charge is led by the red-hot bat of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who hit .474 with two home runs and five RBI in the final five games of the schedule.
In the other NLDS matchup the Los Angeles Dodgers (+115) face the St. Louis Cardinals (-145). Los Angeles nearly let its lead in the NL West slip with a late-season swoon. The Dodgers' offense has had trouble finding its early-season form and could be a little worn out heading into the playoffs. The big bats of Manny Ramirez, Andre Ethier, and Matt Kemp all hit under .200 and totaled just four RBI in the final six games of the season.
The Cards have a steady offense behind first baseman Albert Pujols and slugging outfielder Matt Holliday. However, St. Louis' strength lies with its stellar starting pitching. The resurgence of ace Chris Carpenter as well as a standout effort from Adam Wainwright have two Cy Young contenders anchoring the Cardinals' opening games of the series. St. Louis also has one of the best bullpens in the bigs, behind arms like Trever Miller and closer Ryan Franklin.
In the American League, the Boston Red Sox (-135) meet the Los Angeles Angels (+105) in the ALDS for the third straight year. Boston has won the last two playoff series in dominant fashion and will depend on its balanced attack of hard-hitting and lights-out pitching. The Red Sox offense got rolling in the second half of the season, while starter Jon Lester made a push for the AL Cy Young. However, in recent starts Lester and ace Josh Beckett were shaky, leaving the bullpen to clean up their mess.
The Angels' offense has been among the best in the majors all season, but like the past two years it will be a question of if Los Angeles can get to Boston's starters early. The Halos have always been a great on-base team but have lacked the power in the lineup to cash in those base runners. They ranked 12th in home runs this season and will look to the middle of the order to do the damage.
The New York Yankees await the winner of Tuesday's AL Central play-in game between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. The Yankees' offseason spending is paying off heading into the postseason. New York will likely march ace CC Sabathia and righty A.J. Burnett out to the bump in the opening games of the series. The team's other big buy, Mark Teixeira, put up MVP numbers this year and veteran shortstop Derek Jeter upped his production in the second half of the season, hitting .351 with 29 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
As for Tuesday's play-in game, the Twins are on fire, winning four straight games and seven of their last 10 to force the one-game showdown with Detroit. The Tigers managed to win the final game of the season to keep their postseason hopes alive, snapping a three-game skid. Detroit hands the ball to right-handed pitcher Rick Porcello (+145) on Tuesday, while Minnesota sends righty Scott Baker (-165) to the mound. Tuesday's total is set at 8 runs.
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
MLB Sports Preview: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Colorado Rockies
MLB betting continues its final week of the regular season, and the Colorado Rockies (88-68, +$1,227) are trying to hang on to their position as the leader in the NL Wild Card race. Standing in their way in Tuesday night's baseball wagering affair will be the Milwaukee Brewers (77-79, -$378). The Rockies come into this game leading the Braves by just two games for the NL's final playoff birth, while the Brew Crew are merely trying to salvage a .500 season.
The Brewers will look to get good innings from one of their many young arms when they send LHP Chris Narveson to the bump. The southpaw joined the Milwaukee rotation just 11 days ago, and he has been fantastic in his two starts. Narveson has led Brewers betting fanatics to two victories in as many outings, and he has thrown two very similar outings. In his first start against Houston, he went 5.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out three. In his most recent MLB gambling bash, he held the Cubs to one run in 5.2 innings, fanning a career-high ten batters. For the '09 season, Narveson is 2-0 with a 3.82 ERA in 37.2 innings at the big league level. This will be his first career start against Colorado.
RHP Jason Marquis will be looking to turn around a string of lousy performances when he faces the Brew Crew on Tuesday night. The right-hander has been one of the few starters for Colorado that has been poisonous for Rockies betting aficionados of late. In his L/6 starts, Marquis has given up at least four earned runs five times. Colorado lost all five games. He has been stuck on 15 wins now since September 8th, and he'll only have two more starts to set a career-high in victories. Still, at 15-12 with a 3.98 ERA, it's hard for anyone in black and purple to complain about Marquis' overall performance in the '09 baseball betting season.
Even though Marquis has struggled lately, the Rockies have still been made hefty favorites by the oddsmakers. They come in at -175 on the MLB wagering line, while the baseball gambling 'total' has been set at 9.5 over -105. The Rockies and Brewers have only met in one previous series this season. The Rockies swept the Brewers at Miller Park back in June.
(c) 2008 Eye on Gambling. LLC , All Rights Reserved.
MLB Sports Betting Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Florida Marlins Game One
In the first game of an MLB betting double dip, RHP Joe Blanton will lead his Philadelphia Phillies (87-61, +$1,006) into battle against RHP Josh Johnson and the Florida Marlins (80-70, +$704). This will be the first game of a critical three-game set for both teams. Though the Phillies have a comfortable enough lead in the NL East to not worry about missing the playoffs, theyre still in a dog fight with the Dodgers and Cardinals for the best record in the National League. Meanwhile, the Marlins are still holding on to their hopes of swiping the NL Wild Card.
Blanton is 10-7 with a 3.97 ERA in his first full season inPhiladelphia. He has had plenty of ups and downs this season, but save one awful start against the Nationals on September 10th, Blanton has been fantastic since the start of July. In that stretch, Philadelphia betting fanatics are 8-5 in his 13 starts. In his L/15 starts, Blanton has only allowed more than three earned runs once. As a result, his ERA has dropped by over a run and a quarter. For his career, the right-hander has shut down the Marlins, going 3-1 with a 3.42 ERA.
Though Blanton has an impressive string of games of allowing three runs or fewer, the king of that type of a statistic is clearly Floridas Cy Young candidate. Marlins betting fans have been thrilled with the way that Johnson has pitched since the very beginning of the season. He hasnt allowed more than four earned runs in a game once since April 18th. In the middle of that run, Johnson went 18 straight starts without allowing more than three earned runs as well. The right-hander has run up against the defending World Series champs twice this season, and in 13 innings, he has only allowed seven hits, three walks, and one earned run. Florida gambling aficionados only went 1-1 in those two starts, though. The right-hander will be hoping to improve on some incredibly impressive numbers this season. Johnson is 15-4 with a 3.01 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP this year.
The Phillies are 7-5 in their 12 meetings with Florida this season and MLB betting aficionados have gone an even 6-6 against the baseball wagering over/under in those games. On Tuesday, the Marlins have been made the 145 choices of the oddsmakers with the baseball gambling total set at 8.5 over +100.
(c) 2008 Eye on Gambling. LLC , All Rights Reserved.
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