Category Archives: MLB Baseball

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Colorado Rockies against Houston Astros on Friday: MLB Odds

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Colorado at Houston Betting

When: 7:05 PM ET, Friday, April 6, 2012
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

The Opening Money Line is: Colorado Rockies -125 Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: New owner Jim Crane will receive his first look at his $610 million investment when the Houston Astros host the Colorado Rockies in the teams’ season opener on Friday. With a move to the American League awaiting them in 2013, the Astros have plenty of room for an improvement following a league-worst 106-loss season.

While Houston Astros is in a rebuilding mode, Colorado could make a run at contending in the NL West should a few breaks go its way. With a weak schedule and 13 of their first 22 games at home, the Rockies can make some noise early in 2012.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSH (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jeremy Guthrie (2011: 9-17, 4.33 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (2011: 11-11, 3.49 ERA)

Acquired in a trade with Baltimore in February, Guthrie will make his third opening-day start in four seasons. The 32-year-old Guthrie has yet to pitch at Minute Maid Park, although he did silence the Astros by tossing a three-hit gem in eight innings in his lone career outing against them on June 18, 2008.

After spending his entire career within the Astros organization, Rodriguez will make his first opening day start. The 33-year-old hurler didn’t fare well in his lone outing versus Colorado last season – getting brutalized for six runs on 10 hits in a no-decision on Aug. 24.

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1. Houston’s Carlos Lee feasted on Colorado pitching last season, belting out nine hits and 10 RBIs in 28 at-bats.

2. Rockies manager Jim Tracy has switched Dexter Fowler and Marco Scutaro in the order, with the latter now hitting in the leadoff position. Fowler, who dropped to second, had a brutal spring with a .176 batting average and 17 strikeouts.

3. Rodriguez will be the first lefthander to start on opening day for the Astros since Dave Roberts in 1973-74.

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MLB Baseball Betting Picks: New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays

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NY Yankees at Tampa Bay Betting

When: 3:10 PM ET, Friday, April 6, 2012
Where: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

The Opening Money Line is: New York Yankees -125 Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: As two members of the powerhouse American League East, the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays each have expectations of World Series greatness in 2012. Last season ended in disappointment, as both the Rays and Yankees made the playoffs but failed to advance past the first round. Each team has improved in the offseason, with New York upgrading its rotation through trades and free agency and Tampa Bay doing what it does best by graduating young talent.

The New York Yankees’ offense is a year older but is still stacked from top to bottom with MVP candidates like Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira taking over as anchors. The Rays have their own star in Evan Longoria but will always rely more on their pitching, which looks like the best in the league as top prospect Matt Moore joins the rotation. Tampa Bay took 10 of the 18 meetings last season, including a three-game sweep in the final series that got it to the playoffs.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (2011: 19-8, 3.00 ERA) vs. Rays RH James Shields (2011: 16-12, 2.98 ERA)

Sabathia was on the Cy Young short list again in 2011 and agreed to a five-year, $122 million contract extension in the offseason. The burly left-hander posted a 2.51 ERA and two complete games against Tampa Bay last season but managed just a 1-2 record in four starts. Longoria is batting .333 (10 for 30) with four homers off Sabathia in his career.

Shields led the majors with 11 complete games in 2011 and struck out a career-high 225 batters while posting career lows in WHIP (1.04), ERA and batting average against (.217). The veteran right-hander went 2-3 with a 2.33 ERA in five starts against the Yankees last season. Cano has had the most success against Shields, hitting .386 (22-for-57) with four homers and 11 RBIs.

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1. The Yankees traded for backup C Chris Stewart and optioned C Francisco Cervelli to Class AAA on Wednesday.

2. The Rays placed RH Kyle Farnsworth (elbow) on the disabled list Thursday and recalled RH Josh Lueke.

3. New York RH Michael Pineda (shoulder) has yet to start a throwing program.

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MLB Baseball Online Betting: Seattle Mariners vs Oakland Athletics

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Seattle vs Oakland Betting

When: 10:05 PM ET, Friday, April 6, 2012
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

The Opening Money Line is: —- Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: The opening series that began in the Far East moves to the Pacific Coast as the Oakland Athletics host the Seattle Mariners on Friday. The two American League West rivals teams split two games in Tokyo last week and follow up with a two-game series. Surprisingly, Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez won’t be starting as the club moved him back a day in the rotation so he can start against Oakland in the home opener on April 13.

Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes plays his first regular-season game in front of the Oakland fans after making a splash in Japan with a booming two-run blast in the Athletics’ victory on March 29. Cespedes signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the typically frugal franchise. Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki isn’t batting in his customary leadoff spot and has been moved to third by second-year manager Eric Wedge. Chone Figgins is the Mariners’ leadoff man.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (0-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Brandon McCarthy (0-0, 1.29 ERA)

Vargas often was a victim of poor run support last season so his start against Oakland in Tokyo was a painful reminder for him. Vargas received a no-decision despite allowing just one run and two hits in 6 1/3 innings. Vargas is 3-4 in 10 career appearances against the Athletics while holding Oakland hitters to a .213 average.

McCarthy also received a no-decision when he opposed Hernandez in Tokyo and allowed just one run and six hits in seven innings. McCarthy is 2-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 12 career appearances against the Mariners and has allowed 13 homers in 67 innings. He won a career-best nine games in 2011.

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1. Ichiro went 3-for-3 against McCarthy in Tokyo and has a .313 average in 32 career at-bats against him.

2. Oakland’s Coco Crisp is batting third season and is hitless in eight at-bats.

3. Seattle outfielders Mike Carp (shoulder) and Franklin Gutierrez (pectoral) are on the disabled list.

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MLB Betting: Friday’s American League probable pitching matchup capsules

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The AL East-favored New York Yankees – who project to have to most wins in baseball this season – open on Friday against the division-rival and New York trots out one of the AL Cy Young favorites in CC Sabathia at Tropicana Field. Bet on every game at WagerWeb.com.

NY Yankees at Tampa Bay – Yankees LHP CC Sabathia vs. Rays RHP James Shields. Sabathia will make his ninth career Opening Day start, and his fourth as a Yankee. He has gone 95-40 with a 3.09 ERA over the past five seasons, leading the Majors in wins, winning percentage and innings pitched. … Shields is coming off his best season after going 16-12 with a 2.82 ERA in 2011. Included in his body of work were 11 complete games and 249 1/3 innings. Shields is 5-11 with a 4.14 ERA in 20 career starts against the Yankees.

Chicago White Sox at Texas – White Sox LHP John Danks vs. Rangers RHP Colby Lewis. Danks is ecstatic to have stayed with the White Sox after agreeing on a five-year, $65 million extension during the past offseason. The southpaw will make his first career Opening Day start in his home state of Texas. … Lewis will make his first Opening Day start. The Rangers like his experience and ability to pitch in big games. He is 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA in eight postseason starts. He was 11-9 with a 4.51 ERA in 29 regular-season starts in Arlington in 2010-11.

Minnesota at Baltimore – Twins RHP Carl Pavano vs. Orioles RHP Jake Arrieta. Pavano, 36, will make his second successive Opening Day start for the Twins. The veteran right-hander is the leader of Minnesota’s staff, as he’s pitched more than 220 innings in each of the past two seasons. … From elbow surgery in August, to the Opening Day nod, Arrieta has come full circle. He may have history on his side, having tossed six scoreless frames to beat the Twins the only time he faced them last season.

Kansas City at LA Angels – Royals LHP Bruce Chen vs. Angels RHP Jered Weaver. Chen, 34, is making the first Opening Day start of his 15-year career. A lefty with an array of pitches and arm angles, he’s not a hard thrower and depends on his location and veteran knowledge to succeed. He led the club with 12 victories in 2011. … Weaver finished second in Cy Young voting last year and now gets his third straight Opening Day start. Last year, the 29-year-old finished second in the AL in ERA (2.41), third in wins (18) and fifth in innings (235 2/3).

Seattle at Oakland – Mariners LHP Jason Vargas (0-0, 1.42) vs. A’s RHP Brandon McCarthy (0-0, 1.29). Vargas faces Oakland for a second straight game, having gone 6 1/3 innings with one run on two hits in last Thursday’s 4-1 loss in the Opening Series in Tokyo. He’s 3-4 with a 3.97 ERA in nine career games vs. A’s. … More than a week removed from his Opening Series start vs. Seattle in Tokyo, McCarthy is set to take the mound a second time vs. the Mariners. On March 28, he held them to one run in seven innings with three K’s, but left with a no-decision.

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2012 MLB Baseball Futures: Yankees Seek Improvement after Early 2011 Exit

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Just reaching the playoffs makes a season a success for most teams, but not for the New York Yankees. After getting bounced in the ALDS by the Tigers in 2011 the Bronx Bombers will be looking to make a little more noise this time around.

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The Yankees’ wins OVER/UNDER for the year is sitting at 93.5, while the Bovada MLB props have Robinson Cano at 12/1 to win the AL MVP award. Mark Teixeira is at 18/1 to win the AL MVP, with Alex Rodriguez at 25/1, Curtis Granderson at 40/1 and both CC Sabathia and Derek Jeter at 50/1.

New York cruised to the American League East title in 2011, going 97-65 and ending up six games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays and seven games up on the rival Boston Red Sox – who missed the playoffs altogether.

Despite having the best record in the Junior Circuit, the Yankees couldn’t get past the Tigers in the first round of the playoffs and started their offseason early.

Still, the Yankees’ lineup remains loaded and they enter the 2012 season as the -130 favorites on the MLB futures at Bovada to win the AL East once again. Boston is next at +275, with Tampa Bay at +450, Toronto at +1000, and Baltimore the +7500 longshot.

New York is also atop the AL Pennant odds at 7/2, which puts them ahead of the 4/1 Tigers and Angels, and they’re behind only the Phillies at 7/1 odds to win the World Series this season; Philadelphia is listed at 11/2 on those futures.

The Yankees will get their 2012 campaign underway on Friday afternoon on the road against the Rays, with ace starter Sabathia taking the mound for New York against Tampa Bay’s James Shields. First pitch is set for 3:10pm ET.

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MLB Odds: Rays Look to Buck Opening MLB Odds and Win AL East

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After getting back to the playoffs in 2011 the Tampa Bay Rays will try to navigate the tough AL East again in 2012 and take another shot at the MLB betting lines and a World Series championship.

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Tampa Bay went 91-71 last season, which was just good enough to edge the 90-72 Boston Red Sox for second place in the AL East and the league’s Wild Card berth. The Rays ended up six games back of the first-place Yankees in the division standings.

Once in the playoffs, however, the Rays went away meekly, falling in just four games to the Texas Rangers in the ALDS.

And despite finishing second in the AL East in 2011, the Rays are actually listed third on those MLB futures at Bovada heading into this season; they’re at +450 odds to claim the division title, which has them behind New York (-130) and Boston (+275).

The Rays are also sixth behind the Yankees, Tigers, Angels, Red Sox and Rangers at 9/1 odds to win the American League this season, and they’re at 20/1 odds to win their first World Series in franchise history.

On the props market the Rays’ wins OVER/UNDER for the season is listed at 87.5, with Evan Longoria at 12/1 odds to win the AL MVP award this season. Longoria, who hit 31 home runs in just 133 games last year, is also at 25/1 to lead the AL in long balls.

Tampa Bay has given Longoria some extra support in the lineup this year, as they brought first baseman Carlos Pena back to the team after he played last season with the Cubs. The Rays also signed outfielder Luke Scott over the winter.

The Rays get their 2012 campaign underway on Friday afternoon at home against the Yankees, with right-hander James Shields getting the ball against New York left-hander CC Sabathia. The first pitch of that contest is set for 3:10pm ET.

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MLB Betting: Brewers Open Defense of NL Central Title vs. Cardinals on Friday

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The Milwaukee Brewers begin defense of the National League Central Division title on Friday afternoon when the Brew Crew host the St. Louis Cardinals in a rematch of the 2011 NLCS. Milwaukee opened as a -125 favorite on Bovada’s MLB baseball odds for this game.

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The Cardinals already have taken the field this season as they begin life without Albert Pujols. They opened on Wednesday night in Miami and won 4-1 behind a stellar outing from Kyle Lohse.David Freese, the World Series MVP, had a two-run single in the first inning to give Lohse the cushion he needed. Freese and Rafael Furcal each had three of the Cardinals’ 13 hits. Lance Berkman has moved from the outfield to Pujols’ spot at first base and Berkman was 1-for-3 with two walks.

Milwaukee won 96 games in 2011 and took the division by six games over St. Louis, which won the wild card on the final night of the season. But the Cards ousted Milwaukee in six games in the NLCS. There’s no way to fully replace Fielder’s production, but Mat Gamel gets the shot at first base now. He tore up the minors last year but hit just .115 with no homers in 26 big-league at-bats in 2011. At least the Brewers have reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun. He was suspended 50 games by MLB for failing a drug test during last year’s playoffs but stunningly won the appeal. New third baseman Aramis Ramirez now hits in Fielder’s spot behind Braun in the lineup.

The Brewers start righty Yovani Gallardo for the third straight Opening Day. Gallardo had his best season in 2011, going 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA in a career-high 33 starts. However, the Cardinals own him as Gallardo is 1-7 with a 5.66 ERA in 11 regular season starts vs. St. Louis. Of course, those Cards teams had Pujols. Milwaukee is 0-4 in Gallardo’s past four home starts vs. the Cards.

St. Louis counters with lefty Jaime Garcia. He was 13-7 with a 3.56 ERA last season. Garcia made two starts against Milwaukee, going 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 14 innings. The Cards have won five of their past six at Miller Park.

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MLB Baseball Picks and Predictions: Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs

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Washington at Chicago Cubs Betting

When: 2:20 PM ET, Thursday, April 5, 2012
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

The Opening Line is: Washington Nationals -165  Click here to Bet at Bovada

Washington Nationals was among the worst hitting teams in baseball a year ago, but the team hopes that an upgraded pitching staff will propel it into National League playoff contention. The Nationals will be hoping for a fresh start against a Chicago Cubs team that was undone by porous defense (an MLB-worst 134 errors) and lackluster starting pitching. Both teams made significant changes in the offseason: Washington acquired pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson, while Chicago brought in new general manager Theo Epstein and manager Dale Sveum. The Nationals’ 23-year-old phenom Stephen Strasburg, who has been slowed by injuries in his first two seasons, takes the ball for the first April start of his career as well as his first-ever matchup with the Cubs.

Washington closed the 2011 season with a 14-4 flurry that included a four-game road sweep of NL East champion Philadelphia. Chicago, meanwhile, had just four winning streaks of more than two games last year, but all four came after the All-Star break.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MASN, WDCW DC-50 (Washington), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (2011: 1-1, ERA 1.50) vs. Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (2011: 10-14, ERA 4.80)

Strasburg looked sharp in limited September action after his return from Tommy John surgery last season, but it remains to be seen whether he can live up to his limitless potential over the course of a full schedule. The 23-year-old has logged an amazing 11.35 strikeouts per nine innings over his 17 career starts.

Dempster takes the ball in the Cubs’ opener for the second consecutive season, perhaps in part because of his tremendous success against the Nationals in the past. The 35-year-old is 9-1 with a 1.07 WHIP (his lowest against any National League team) and a 2.87 ERA in 23 appearances and 15 starts against Washington.

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1. Washington 3B Ryan Zimmerman has had some previous success against Dempster, going 6-for-16 (.375) with a home run. His teammates are a combined 10-for-67 (.149).

2. The Nationals won five of eight games against Chicago last season, but the Cubs won the last two on their home field.

3. The Washington offense struck out more times than any team in baseball last year (1,323), and Cubs pitchers were sixth in the majors with 1,224 Ks.

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MLB Predictions and Odds: Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Indians

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Toronto at Cleveland Betting

When: 3:05 PM ET, Thursday, April 5, 2012
Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

The Opening Line is : Toronto Blue Jays – 131 Click here to Bet at Bovada

Hopes are high in Toronto after a promising 24-7 record in Grapefruit League play. The Toronto Blue Jays topped all major league teams in wins during Spring Training and, despite being known for their bats in recent years, posted a league-low 3.05 ERA. The heart and soul of Toronto remains home-run king Jose Bautista, who has hit 77 round-trippers the past two seasons. The Jays are hoping to protect their big swinger with promising sluggers Adam Lind (26 HRs, 87 RBIs in 2011) and Brett Lawrie (.524 BA in spring training).

Cleveland Indians begins the 2012 campaign with its starting rotation in shambles. Ace Fausto Carmona, 28, was revealed to really be Roberto Hernandez, 31, and was arrested for identity theft, leaving last year’s opening day starter on the restricted list. Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez was suspended for five games for hitting former Colorado teammate Troy Tulowitzki this past week. The Tribe didn’t put up much of fight in Grapefruit League play, finishing an MLB-worst 7-22.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto), WKYC 3 (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Ricky Romero (2011: 15-11, 2.92 ERA) vs. Indians RH  Justin Masterson (2011: 12-10, 3.21 ERA)

Romero was a pleasant surprise for Toronto last season, finishing with the sixth-lowest ERA in the American League. He went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 11 innings during spring training. Romero was 7-8 with a 2.91 ERA on the road last season and hasn’t faced Cleveland since 2010.

Masterson, coming off shoulder surgery last fall, was knocked around during spring ball, allowing 18 runs in 18 innings of action. Last year, the righty improved mightily in his second season with the Tribe, trimming 1.49 runs off his 2010 ERA. He went 4-5 with a 3.25 ERA in 18 starts in Cleveland in 2011.

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1. The schedule isn’t the only thing new for Toronto. The Blue Jays debut their new uniforms, a modern twist on their original logo and a return to blue and white.

2. Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera heads into Opening Day with a new two-year, $16.5 million contract in his back pocket. Cabrera hit .273 with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs last season.

3. Toronto took the season series over Cleveland, 4-3, last year. The Blue Jays averaged 7.14 runs during those games.

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MLB Baseball Betting Odds: Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates

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Philadelphia at Pittsburgh Betting

When: 1:35 PM ET, Thursday, April 5, 2012
Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Opening Line is: Philadelphia Phillies -190 Click here to Bet at Bovada

The Philadelphia Phillies led the major leagues with 102 wins last season, but the pain of a first-round playoff exit has been compounded by injuries to 1B Ryan Howard and 2B Chase Utley that will have both on the disabled list to start the year. Pittsburgh Pirates, meanwhile, was a surprise contender in the National League Central before a late-season skid dropped the young team well off the pace. The Pirates were just 21-46 from July 20 on, following a solid 51-44 start.

Philadelphia’s already outstanding pitching staff was bolstered by the addition of closer Jonathan Papelbon, while Pittsburgh brought in veteran starters Erik Bedard and A.J. Burnett in an attempt to shore up its starting rotation. Bedard takes the mound against Phillies ace Roy Halladay Thursday, while Burnett begins the season on the disabled list.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, PHL 17 (Philadelphia), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Roy Halladay (2011: 19-6, ERA 2.35) vs. Pirates LH Erik Bedard (2011: 5-9, ERA 3.62)

Halladay has been more reliable than any pitcher in baseball, leading the major leagues over the last five seasons in complete games (42), shutouts (12), ERA (2.80) and WHIP (1.10). He is 3-1 in five career starts against Pittsburgh, allowing just five runs in 38 innings with a 33:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Bedard, making his National League debut after splitting last season between Seattle and Boston, has always been a solid pitcher when healthy — but injuries have kept him from becoming an elite hurler. In three career starts against the Phillies, Bedard is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 21 innings.

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1. The two intrastate rivals have split their last 16 meetings dating back to 2009. The Phillies won last year’s series, 4-2.

2. Philadelphia IF Placido Polanco, who hit a three-run homer Tuesday, is 4-for-13 with a home run against Bedard.

3. The Phillies led the major leagues by a wide margin last season in both ERA (3.02) and WHIP (1.17).

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