Would it be that shocking in the Belmont Stakes odds to see a long shot like Miner’s Escape leading the pack partway through race? After all, the Florida Marlins started the season 11-1, Rafael Nadal lost on clay and the Cleveland Cavaliers failed to reach the NBA Finals.
The Indy 500 odds and UFC 98 odds will distract many a sports bettor this weekend, but there’s also some hot baseball betting action to as interleague play arrives and features some marquee series. The Mets vs Red Sox odds feature a matchup many online betting fans figured would be a World Series preview at the beginning of the season.
While most will be making their Preakness betting choices this weekend, there is an intriguing series on the baseball diamond that is worth your consideration. The lead in the American League West is up for grabs at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, as the division-topping Rangers host the Los Angeles Angels, who are starting to regain the form that has brought them two straight West titles.
MLB Weekend Series – Rays vs Red Sox odds
Did any MLB odds followers really think teams like the Rays and Red Sox would stay down all season? The Blue Jays continue to baffle MLB Sportsbook oddsmakers but baseball betting is starting to correct itself for the most part. The Red Sox are back contending for the AL East crown and the Rays odds are coming around. A good showing in the Rays vs Red Sox line this weekend could take Tampa a long way.
Here is a look at the MLB Futures Odds each team is offering in our May edition of the Updated World Series future odds. We know it’s never too early to get the jump on a wagering season long before it ever takes place! We will update these odds throughout the season to track the progress of teams as they inch towards the fall. All lines are from Betus Sportsbook.
The 2009 MLB season has been underway for a couple weeks now, and Scott Orgera weighs in with his weekly MLB Power Rankings article for the MLB baseball season.
Movers and Shakers: Cincinnati Reds (+15) – Baltimore Orioles (-15)
Finally, the best rivalry in baseball betting, if not all of sports betting, is back. The Yankees vs Red Sox odds return Friday night as the demons of the AL East go head to head for a three-game set at Fenway park. Let’s make some hot sportsbook picks for the entire series.
Baseball begins and ends with pitching. Because of the number of games and the length of the season, the sport lures as many investors as the others. The structure of odds… no point spread… and the nature of the game however, with the disproportionate emphasis on pitching, baseball must be treated in a different way.
The Betting Numbers
The Yankees opened as -200 favorites with an over/under of 9.
Recent Series History
This is the first meeting this year between the Indians and Yankees. Cleveland took four of the seven meetings last season and going back further, it has won seven of the last 11 following New York’s eight-game series winning streak at the end of 2006 and the start of 2007.
The 2009 MLB season has been underway for one week, and Scott Orgera weighs in with his weekly MLB Power Rankings article for the MLB baseball season.
Movers and Shakers: Toronto Blue Jays (+21) – Cleveland Indians (-17)
Check Out Our #1 MLB Handicappers 2009 Picks Packages? We’ve Got Your Back —–>
EXPERTS HAVE ALL THE BASES COVERED GIVING FANS A MUCH NEEDED SEASON PREVIEW
NEW YORK, NY – With MLB’s regular season set to begin fans across the country are already speculating as to how their teams will perform. Will they win it all this year? How long until our coach gets fired?
The 2009 WBC is over, the MLB preseason is underway, and Scott Orgera weighs in with his weekly MLB Power Rankings article for the 2009 MLB baseball season.
1. New York Yankees – 2008 Record – 89-73
Coming out of camp, this team boasts the strongest, most balanced starting rotation in the game.
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 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
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.
MLB Baseball Futures Betting
There are many observers who think this year’s World Series champion might come out of the same place as last year’s champs. That’s the NL East, where the Mets have faded two years in a row and the Phillies reigned supreme last year. Those two will be contenders, but will anyone else emerge as a possible surprise?
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.
