MLB: Twins and Yankees Series Preview
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 Yankees haven’t played in the World Series since 2001 and haven’t won the Fall Classic since taking home the big trophy in years 1998-2000. Mr. Yankee, Derek Jeter, understands better than anybody why this team could be different.
“We have much better pitching, and this lineup allows everyone to be more aggressive because we have good hitters 1-9.”
New York’s dominance pops up in a couple of different ways. In games decided by two or more runs, they were 62-43. At the new Yankee Stadium they built a 57-24 record and if Minnesota or anyone dares to start a left-hander against them, good luck, with the Bronx Bombers 36-18.
Minnesota will make the unlikely journey to New York riding high. The Twins won what might be the best baseball game anyone will see the rest of the season Tuesday night, taking down Detroit 6-5 in 12 sensational innings.
The Twins are the hottest team remaining, winning 17 of their last 22, including the all important last five in a row. Minnesota will have their work cut out for them since they lost all seven games to the Yankees this season and they have one victory in last 11 tries playing in the Bronx.
The Yankees are easily the biggest favorite to win the four divisional series at -400 and are the odds on favorite at Sportsbook.com to be champions yet again at +160 odds. Let’s see what the Yankees do.
Offensive – American League
Runs scored – Minnesota 4th, New York 1st
Home Runs – Minnesota 9th, New York 1st
Slugging Pct. – Minnesota 7th, New York 1st
Walks – Minnesota 4th, New York 1st
On base Pct. – Minnesota 5th, New York 1st
Pitching & Defense
ERA – Minnesota 11th, New York 4th
Strikeouts – Minnesota 10th, New York 1st
Walks – Minnesota 1st, New York 11th
On base Pct. – Minnesota 7th, New York 4th
Putouts – Minnesota 6th, New York 3rd
Errors – Minnesota T-1st, New York 5th
MLB: Red Sox and Angels Series Preview
The Red Sox and Angels 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.
As if the postseason isn’t enough motivation, the Los Angeles Angels have a score to settle. The Angels had the second best record in the American League and that accomplishment means nothings to odds-makers. The Halos are underdogs to Boston, since in the last five years; they have one win in 10 meetings with the Red Sox in the postseason. This can’t even be described as a rivalry since the outcomes have been so one-sided.
How will this year be any different than the last three times? Los Angeles feels better equipped offensively this time around. Only the Yankees scored more runs than the Angels in baseball this season. The 5.5 runs per game and boost in power (183 home runs) gives them the belief they are less likely to be stymied like in the past, since they have averaged 2.9 runs per game in last 10 postseason conflicts.
The Angels also believe their starting pitching is every bit as good as Boston’s, maybe better. John Lackey and Jered Weaver have experience and generally pitch well at home. When they travel to Boston, Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders will try and make life tough on Red Sox hitters, as both are throwing extremely well of late.
In theory that all sound terrific, one problem, the Angels bullpen. Though Los Angeles has a higher save percentage than Boston (73 to 69 percent), nobody is going to take the Halos pen over the BoSox. Closer Brian Fuentes just recently went under four (3.93) for his ERA for the first time this season. The Angels are 11th in bullpen ERA compared to Boston’s second place finish in the American League. According to ESPN senior editor Dave Schoenfield, only three teams since 1969 have won the World Series with a closer who had ERA greater than three.
Boston has John Papelbon (1.85 ERA) as its closer and teams that have inferior closer, but better overall record are 26-28 in the division series. The lower scoring team is 32-22 in this round and the club with the better bullpen ERA wins 58.9 percent of the time (33-23) in divisional series.
Total the numbers and you can see why the Angels are underdogs in the ALDS. For Los Angeles to win they have to score runs and HOPE the bullpen can shutdown Boston bats. If the Red Sox starters once again limit L.A. in the run column, it will be like watching the TV Land; you’ve seen this show before.
Offensive – American League
Runs scored – Boston 3rd, Angels 2nd
Home Runs – Boston 3rd, Angels 8th
Slugging Pct. – Boston 2nd, Angels 4th
Walks – Boston 2nd, Angels 7th
On base Pct. – Boston 2nd, Angels 3rd
Pitching & Defense
ERA – Boston 7th, Angels 9th
Bullpen ERA – Boston 2nd, Angels 11th
Strikeouts – Boston 2nd, Angels 9th
Walks – Boston 6th, Angels 5th
On base Pct. – Boston 8th, Angels 10th
Putouts – Boston 8th, Angels 5th
Errors – Boston 3rd, Angels 4th
Key Numbers – Los Angeles won the season series 5-4, including 4-2 at the Big A. The tone of the series is likely to be set in the series opener. John Lackey is living off history as big game pitcher, having last won in his rookie season of 2002, pitching in the postseason. Lester allowed one run in 14 innings last October against the Halos and the lefty and teammates are 35-12 in the second half of the season over the last two seasons. Though several factors are in the Red Sox favor, they are desultory 3-15 in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season.
Sportsbook.com Series Odds: Red Sox -135, Angels +115
MLB: St. Louis vs. L.A. Dodgers Series Preview
The pressure, the intensity and the drama all ratchet up in the Major Leagues with post-season baseball. The National League picture has really changed in the last 45 days. It has finally settled into divisional series matchups pitting the Dodgers versus the Cardinals, and the Rockies vs. the Phillies. Here is a look at that St. Louis-Los Angeles matchup from a betting perspective. When you’re through reading it, head over to the LIVE ODDS page on Sportsbook.com to see all of the available game, series, and prop wagering options.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were thought to be a lock to win the National League West, when they seemingly lost interest. From August 28 on, the Dodgers only played nine of last 34 games against teams with winning records and yet didn’t clinch NL West crown until the next to last day of the regular season. In fact, Los Angeles had six straight days to wrap up the division and lost five in a row before finally defeating Colorado this past Saturday. The Dodgers were less than inspiring 19-14 against the below average competition to finish the regular season and are +123 underdogs despite home field advantage.
How could that be one might wonder, it’s because they are playing St. Louis. Most baseball experts are saying forget the fact they lost six of last seven games, that was just a team setting up rotation and preparing for the playoffs. No team in baseball was more aggressive before the trade deadline in adding quality players to their roster. Matt Holliday was really the most important acquisition, as he brought a potent bat to help Albert Pujols batting cleanup. From July 24 until Sept.22, St. Louis was baseball best 37-17.
The Cardinals appear to also have two distinct advantages in this series, superior starting pitching and better bullpen. Chris Carpenter (17-4, 2.24 ERA) would have two starts in this series if it goes the distance. Carpenter led the National League with the lowest ERA and he’s been ridiculous of late with sick 0.45 earned run average in his last three starts. Adam Wainwright (19-4) was fourth in ERA at 2.63. Only once in 18 times did Carpenter and Wainwright lose back to back games and that hasn’t happened in over three months.
Offensive – National League
Runs scored – Dodgers 4th, St. Louis 7th
Home Runs – Dodgers 11th, St. Louis 6th
Slugging Pct. – Dodgers 7th, St. Louis 6th
Walks – Dodgers 4th, St. Louis 12th
On base Pct. – Dodgers 1st, St. Louis 10th
Pitching & Defense
ERA – Dodgers 1st, St. Louis 4th
Bullpen ERA – Dodgers 1st, St. Louis 4th
Strikeouts – Dodgers 2nd, St. Louis 14th
Walks – Dodgers 8th, St. Louis 1st
On base Pct. – Dodgers 1st, St. Louis 3rd
Putouts – Dodgers 1st, St. Louis 10th
Errors – Dodgers 4th, St. Louis 9th
Key Numbers- The Cardinals have won five of seven this season and is 5-4 at Dodger Stadium the last three years. With the Dodgers having to face two stud pitchers in the first two games, note they are 8-16 vs. a starting pitcher whose throws more than 6.5 innings per start this season.
Sportsbook.com Series Odds: Cardinals -150, Dodgers +130
MLB: Colorado vs. Philadelphia Series Preview
The defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies have ability to score runs by the bushel-full and have strong starting pitching. The Phillies topped the National League in runs scored at 5.1 per game, which was just ahead of second place Colorado at 5.0. The Phils boast playoff experience, the Rockies were one of the league’s hottest clubs in the second half of the regular season. It should be a great series, and an exciting one to bet on. Speaking of which, Sportsbook.com has all kinds of options available for you to consider. Head over to the LIVE ODDS page to see all those.
Need a game changing home run, look no further than these two clubs with Philly going yard 224 times (1st in NL) and Rocks batters sending the ball over the fence 190 times (2nd).
No team can live on hitting alone and Colorado had five different starting pitchers win 10 games or more, led by Jorge DeLa Rosa 16 wins. The Phillies have Cole Hamels who pitched much better the last two months than the first four and knows what it takes in the postseason. The addition of Cliff Lee gave the Phillies a wonderful a chance to win every fifth day and placed Joe Blanton in better position as a solid starter.
Both lineups have the ability to explode at any time, which sets up the potential for a great deal of second guessing by the managers in this series when it comes to making pitching changes. When has a starter had enough or can he work out of jams?
This leads to the late inning bullpen situations for both teams. Closer Brad Lidge was given every opportunity to succeed by manager Charley Manuel and he failed. Ryan Madison is now the closer, but his mental makeup is unproven in this pressure packed role. Huston Street has only allowed runs once in his last 10 appearances, yet nobody is convinced he’s Mariano Rivera material.
Offensive – National League
Runs scored – Colorado 2nd, Philadelphia 1st
Home Runs – Colorado 2nd, Philadelphia 1st
Slugging Pct. – Colorado 2nd, Philadelphia 1st
Walks – Colorado 1st, Philadelphia 7th
On base Pct. – Colorado 2nd, Philadelphia 8th
Pitching & Defense
ERA – Colorado 7th, Philadelphia 5th
Bullpen ERA – Colorado 13th, Philadelphia 9th
Strikeouts – Colorado 8th, Philadelphia 9th
Walks – Colorado 4th, Philadelphia 2nd
On base Pct. – Colorado 6th, Philadelphia 7th
Putouts – Colorado 12th, Philadelphia 4th
Errors – Colorado 5th, Philadelphia 2nd
Key Numbers – Philadelphia won four of six meetings this year and tied for the best record in baseball on the road at 48-33. Colorado’s mission is to earn split and return home where they had the second best record in the senior circuit on home turf with 51-30 record. The Rockies are only 6-18 vs. NL teams scoring 4.8 or more runs a game on the season, while the Phillies are 17-7 when facing the same kind of offense.
Sportsbook.com Series Odds: Phillies -170, Rockies +145
