2009 World Series Odds: Game 6 Betting Predictions & MLB Picks
2009 World Series Odds - Game 6 Betting Predictions & MLB Picks: The Yankees failed to close out the 2009 World Series in Game 5, now its back to the Bronx for Game 6 of the 2009 World Series. It came down to the wire once again as the Yankees threatened to end the 2009 World Series in Philadelphia. The Yankees jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Johnny Damon was driven home off the bat of A-Rod. A-Rod has returned to true form and could still be in contention for the 2009 World Series MVP with a World Series win from the Yankees. A big play in the 2009 World Series odds Game 5 matchup was when Shane Victorino was hit on the knuckles after attempting to draw back from a bunt attempt. According to the Phillies dugout Victorino's x-rays came back negative but his fingers swelled causing him to be removed from play after seven innings.According to Victorino "Hitting was difficult. I couldn't get my grip and A.J. apologized when I got to first, so it wasn't retaliation, I can tell you that. Everything's fine. I definitely feel great."
The Phillies answered back in the 1st inning with a three run home run off the bat of Chase Utley. Utley tied Reggie Jackson's home run record with the most home runs in a World Series odds matchup with 5. The third inning heated up for the Phillies with three more runs making the score 6-1 until the fisth when the Yankees Johnny Damon singled out driving in E Hinske.
Chase Utley and Raul Ibanezdrove in two more runs for the Phillies in the 7th giving the Phillies a 6 run lead over the Yankees. Then in the 8th the Yankees came alive with a double from Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees were looking to rally but fell short after earning three runs making the score 5-8. With one run in the 9th the Yankees failed to win Game 5 of the 2009 World Series.
Next, with the Series at 3-2 the 2009 World Series heads back to the Bronx for a chance to even the series 3-3.
(c) 2009 Online Sports Handicapping.
EOG Sports Betting Preview: World Series Game 1: Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Yankees
World Series betting action begins on Wednesday night from Yankee Stadium. MLB wagering fanatics will get a chance to sink their teeth into all of the great action between the Philadelphia Phillies (100-71, +$908) and the New York Yankees (110-61, +$1,677). The National League champions advanced to this stage by defeating the Colorado Rockies in four games and the Los Angeles Dodgers in five. Meanwhile, Yankees betting fans got to the Fall Classic by sweeping the Minnesota Twins and dismissing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in six games.
Having an entire week off between the closing game of the NLCS and the first game of the World Series has given manager Charlie Manuel plenty of time to set up his pitching rotation the way he wants it. It should come as no surprise to anyone that LHP Cliff Lee is his choice to try to take a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven baseball gambling set. Lee has gone 2-0 with a 0.74 ERA in this postseason, but he hasn't led the Phils to a 3-0 record by himself. His offense is averaging 7.0 runs per game in his starts in these playoffs. Keep an eye on 1B Ryan Howard, who has already knocked in 14 runs in this postseason. He is also one of four Phillies who is batting at least .300 in the playoffs.
The man given the task of holding that potent lineup down on Wednesday night will be LHP CC Sabathia. Manager Joe Girardi made the controversial decision to start LHP Andy Pettitte in Game 6 of the ALCS as opposed to giving the ball to his horse, but that risk has been rewarded, and now Sabathia will certainly be able to throw in three games if necessary in this series. New York wagering aficionados are a perfect 3-0 with Sabathia on the hill in these playoffs. The southpaw is 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA, but much like Lee, he has gotten a ton of run support. The Yanks are also giving him 7.0 runs per game. Sabathia started one game against the defending champs this season, as he allowed three earned runs in eight innings of work in New York's 4-3 loss back on May 24th.
Even though they are -200 choices to capture the World Series, the Yankees have only been lined at -165 on the MLB wagering line on Wednesday night. The baseball gambling 'total' has been set at 7.5 over -120.
(c) 2008 Eye on Gambling. LLC , All Rights Reserved.
MLB Playoff Betting - ALCS Game 4: Yankees vs. Angels
ALCS Game 4 - Angels Look To Even Series, Tame Sabathia
The Los Angeles Angels (100-67 SU, 94-72 RL, 84-76-6 O/U) picked up a huge win on Monday night and will now look to even their ALCS showdown against the New York Yankees (108-59 SU, 91-76 RL, 77-82-8 O/U) at two games apiece when the two teams square off at Angel Stadium tonight at 8 PM ET.
However, the Angels will have their hands full when they take the field for Game 4 as they will face dominating Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia, the winner in Game 1 of this series.
Los Angeles cashed in for BetUS MLB sports betting members as +160 home underdogs on Monday afternoon as Jeff Mathis hit a game-winning two-out double in the 11th inning to lift the Halos to a thrilling 4-3 win.
Vladimir Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run while Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter each hit solo home runs in the loss.
Sabathia (19-8 3.37 ERA) will take the mound on three days rest after limiting the Angels to one run in eight dominating innings in Game 1, allowing just four hits along the way while the Angels will counter with left-hander Scott Kazmir (10-9, 4.89 ERA).
Here is a look at tonight's key trends and MLB Odds, followed by my in-depth analysis and expert MLB Free Picks.
Yankees are 1-6 in their last 7 playoff road games.
Yankees are 6-1 in Sabathia's last 7 road starts.
Yankees are 4-1 in Sabathia's last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Angels are 6-1 in their last 7 home games.
Angels are 22-6 in their last 28 games as a home underdog.
Angels are 5-1 in Kazmir's last 6 starts.
Yankees are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 14-5 in the last 19 meetings in Los Angeles.
Yankees are 8-20 in the last 28 meetings in Los Angeles.
MLB Odds
New York Yankees -1 1/2 +120
CC Sabathia -L -130
Los Angeles Angels +1 1/2 -140
Scott Kazmir -L +110
Over 8 -115
Under 8 -105
The Starters: CC Sabathia has gone 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA over his last three starts while Scott Kazmir has gone 1-1 over his last three starts with a 4.24 ERA.
Analysis: I'll keep this pick short and sweet by simply saying that I fully expect the Los Angeles Angels to find some sort of way to win this matchup despite going up against a gifted hurler in Sabathia as Yankees' manager Joe Girardi foolishly brings the big southpaw back after just three days of rest.
While the Yankees have gone a stellar 6-1 in Sabathia's last seven road starts, New York will have to overcome their dismal 1-6 mark in their last seven road playoff games and dismal 8-20 SU mark in their last 28 meetings against the Halos in Los Angeles.
I think Sabathia will tire at some point earlier than normal because he is pitching on short rest and will likely groove a few pitches down the middle of the plate with the Angels jumping all over those pitches with their newfound confidence after winning Game 4.
Los Angeles has gone a bankroll-boosting 6-1 in their last seven home games, a red-hot 22-6 in their last 28 games as a home underdog, not to mention, a fantastic 5-1 in Scott Kazmir's last six starts.
I just believe they will get to Sabathia -- or New York's bullpen - at some point in this almost do-or-die contest.
Los Angeles will undoubtedly need a better performance from Kazmir than the one he delivered against the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS when he was smacked around for five earned runs on five hits in six innings of a 7-6 win on Oct. 11.
And I believe Kazmir reaches down deep and shows the talents he possesses despite often being maddeningly inconsistent.
By no means will this game be an easy win for the Angels, but in the end, I say they find a way to pull out the victory.
Take the Angels to win this game straight up in what looks like another nail-biter Major League baseball bettors.
MLB Free Picks: Angels SU Win
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
Phillies at Rockies
Denver, CO - Pedro Martinez is getting the ball and the call in another big game.
Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel chose the aging right-hander over J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton, who made cameo appearances out of the bullpen Thursday, to face the Colorado Rockies in Game 3 of their NL playoff series Saturday night - weather permitting.
The best-of-five series is tied at one game each.
It will be Martinez's first postseason start since he won Game 3 for Boston at St. Louis in the 2004 World Series.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetOnline have made the Rockies -120 moneyline favorites for Saturday's game against the Phillies. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 57% of more than 200 bets for this game have been placed on the Phillies +110.
``Well, every game is really special, but this one makes me look really smart,'' Martinez cracked. ``Because I chose this team after waiting a long time. I gave away opportunities to make a lot more money. ... But I waited for the right moment, the right team and I don't think I could have chosen a better team.''
Hoping to draw interest in March, the 37-year-old free agent pitched for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and surprised some with his increased velocity. But Martinez turned down several offers in the spring because he wanted to re-sign with the Mets.
They shunned him, however, after four injury-filled seasons in New York, where the effervescent Dominican won 32 games while playing out a $53 million contract.
So, Martinez sat out most of the season before signing with the Phillies late in the summer. He went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts.
Martinez is 6-2 with a 3.40 ERA in the postseason, and Manuel said he likes his history in cold weather, too. The forecast for Game 3 calls for temperatures dipping into the 20s with snow flurries.
``I don't really think about it,'' Martinez said. ``I'm planning to go out and have fun and do whatever I have to do. I have never been in a situation where I have to pitch with the snow on the field or anything like that. But I'm just looking forward to the challenge.''
Manuel burned two-fifths of his regular rotation Thursday when Blanton pitched one inning in relief, allowing a run in Colorado's 5-4 win, and Happ had to leave when Seth Smith hit a hard liner off the lower part of his left leg. X-rays were negative.
The Rockies seemed to welcome Martinez's selection because it allows them to use their most potent lineup with Ian Stewart at third base and Smith in left.
``Well, I think Seth Smith might have had something to do with that,'' Rockies manager Jim Tracy said of Martinez's selection.
Happ gave mixed reviews about how he was feeling Friday.
``I iced it four times on the flight. I felt pretty good. I ran some in the outfield and it didn't feel as good,'' he said.
Nevertheless, Happ said he should be available out of the bullpen for Game 3, but Manuel hinted that he'd rather save him for Sunday, when he might get the start. Then again, it could be Blanton or even Game 1 starter Cliff Lee on three days' rest.
Martinez has only thrown seven innings since Sept. 13 and he hasn't taken the mound since Sept. 30.
``That's another wonder,'' Martinez said when asked how he thinks 10 days' rest will affect him. ``We don't really know. But I feel really good physically. I'm looking forward to going out there, hopefully get a normal start, use my experience to my advantage and try not to waste too much energy and too many pitches.''
Martinez's age, minimal work the last few weeks and the frigid temperatures approaching Coors Field were thought to be determinants to him getting the nod.
Manuel didn't hesitate to pick him to start the team's most important game of the season, and he said he expects Martinez to throw between 85 and 100 pitches.
Jason Giambi has faced Martinez plenty of times, and he was busy doling out advice Friday to the young hitters in the Rockies' clubhouse who hadn't faced him before.
``Yeah, we're both old,'' Giambi said. ``I faced him when he was in his heyday. There was nobody better in baseball at that time. ... But these young guys, I'm just going to tell them, 'He's going to make you work. He's a competitor. He loves to win.'
``So, it's going to be tough.''
So will the weather.
Players wore extra layers and stocking caps to work out Friday, when the temperatures were still in the 50s ahead of an overnight cold front that will bring sleet, snow and plummeting temperatures.
``It's definitely not going to be a July day by any means,'' said Eric Thaler, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. ``Bundle up like you're going to a Broncos game.''
Thaler said it would be 29 degrees at first pitch at 7:37 p.m. MDT, and that the record cold temperature for Oct. 10 (25 degrees set back in 1905) could fall by game's end. He didn't expect much precipitation, which should encourage Major League Baseball not to postpone the game.
``Of course, it's usually real cold when we start out the season in Philly,'' Ryan Howard shrugged. ``The thing is staying warm, keep your hands warm. Try to put the barrel of the bat on the ball. If you don't get it on the barrel, it really stings. I prefer warm weather. I think everybody prefers warm weather.''
Winds will make batters' eyes watery but the biting cold will make it hard for pitchers to grip the ball.
Either way, Howard is glad Martinez will be on the mound.
``He wants to be that guy,'' Howard said. ``That's the reason why he's got Cy Young awards and World Series championship rings. He likes to be in these situations.''
Even in these conditions.
(c) 1999-2009 TheSpread.com Inc.
MLB Sports Betting Preview: Colorado Rockies vs Philadelphia Phillies
The MLB playoff betting season begins on Wednesday afternoon with a National League Divisional Series clash between the Colorado Rockies (92-70, +$1,434) and the Philadelphia Phillies (93-69, +$447). The Rockies enter this series as the NL Wild Card winner after posting a strong second half of the season. The Phillies held off a late charge by both the Braves and the Marlins to capture another NL East championship. The baseball series wagering line features the Phillies as -165 favorites to move on to the NLCS.
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez will take the hill for the Rocks in the first game of this five-game MLB wagering series. The righty was an absolute horse for the purple and black this year, going 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA over a whopping 218.0 innings pitched. He led the team in strikeouts with 198, though his walk total was high at 85. However, his WHIP (1.23) and opposing batting average (.229) are both incredibly strong considering that 15 of his 33 starts were made at hitters-friendly Coors Field. Jimenez was 7-7 with a 3.58 ERA away from home this season. He hasn't had much luck against the Phillies in his career either as Rockies betting fans are 0-2 in his two career starts. Jimenez is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in those outings. This will be Jimenez's fourth career postseason appearance as well. He is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in those previous outings.
The man given the task of stopping the Rockies in Game 1 will be LHP Cliff Lee. Lee was acquired from the Indians right at the MLB trade deadline, and since heading to the City of Brotherly Love, he has been fantastic. The southpaw went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts. He has had pinpoint control in his MLB wagering starts, as he only walked seven batters since leaving Cleveland. Lee cruised past Colorado in his last outing against the Rocks, allowing just one run in seven frames to pick up a victory. This will be Lee's first MLB playoff gambling start of his career.
The Phillies are -130 choices of the oddsmakers to take a 1-0 lead in this best-of-five sports wagering playoff series. The baseball gambling over/under has been set at 8.5 over +100. Philadelphia has owned this series of late, going 9-2 in the L/11 meetings, including a 4-2 edge in the 2009 season series.
(c) 2008 Eye on Gambling. LLC , All Rights Reserved.
Giants Slipping
San Francisco, CA - As much as this season has been a relative disappointment for the Chicago Cubs, at least they haven't given up.
After posting their third consecutive winning season for the first time in 37 years, the Cubs go for their first-ever four-game sweep in San Francisco on Sunday afternoon.
Chicago (81-73) won its third straight and sixth in seven games with Saturday's 6-2 victory over the slumping Giants.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetOnline have made the Giants -145 moneyline favorites for Sunday's game against the Cubs. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 59% of more than 188 bets for this game have been placed on the Giants -145.
"I don't know what our record is but we've been playing good ball,'' said Cubs manager Lou Piniella, whose club has won nine of 12 on the road but will in all likelihood not return to the postseason after winning the 2008 NL Central title.
Chicago, which finished 97-64 and 85-77 the last two seasons, has clinched a .500 or better record for three straight years for the first time since a six-season stretch from 1967-72.
Chicago, though, has never swept a four-game set in San Francisco since the Giants relocated there from New York in 1958.
Ted Lilly was scheduled to take the mound in Sunday's series finale, but will miss his second straight start with left shoulder tendinitis. In his place, Piniella will hand the ball to rookie right-hander Randy Wells (11-9, 3.00 ERA).
Wells gave up one run over six innings of Tuesday's 7-2 win at Milwaukee, rebounding after failing to make it out of the fifth inning in his previous two outings.
"I want to get as many (starts) as I can just to show (Piniella) that I can handle the workload and head into next year with some confidence that I can handle the load," he said.
When Wells faces the Giants for the first time Sunday, he'll try to lead the Cubs past them in the wild-card standings.
San Francisco (82-73) has dropped seven of 10 to become a longshot to reach the postseason for the first time since 2003.
"It's getting down to a miracle,'' said manager Bruce Bochy, whose club would need to leapfrog three teams in the standings to win the wild card. "I think we've made it real, real difficult.''
Right-hander Matt Cain (13-7, 2.99) hasn't made it any easier for the Giants lately.
Cain was 10-2 with a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts before the All-Star break, but is 3-5 with a 3.80 ERA in 13 starts since, including losses in his last three outings.
He yielded seven runs and eight hits over 2 1-3 innings in Tuesday's 10-8 loss at Arizona.
"It's very disappointing. I feel like I let a lot of guys down,'' Cain said.
It was the right-hander's shortest career start not ended by injury. Cain left after 1 2-3 innings against San Diego on July 11 after getting hit by a line drive right above his right elbow.
Cain is 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA in seven career starts versus Chicago.
He needs a win to surpass a career high set in 2006, when he went 13-12 with a 4.15 ERA.
Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee missed his second straight game Saturday with neck spasms, but Aramis Ramirez returned after missing a game with a sore left shoulder and hit a solo homer. Ramirez is batting .321 with six homers and 31 RBIs in his last 35 games.
The Giants learned Saturday that second baseman Freddy Sanchez won't return this season due to a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. Sanchez hit .284 with a homer and seven RBIs in 25 games since being acquired from Pittsburgh on July 29.
Giants infielder Juan Uribe went 3 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs Saturday. He is batting .420 with three homers and 12 RBIs in his last 13 games.
(c) 1999-2009 TheSpread.com Inc.
MLB Sports Betting Preview: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros
On Wednesday night, MLB betting fans will get their second look at Dave Clark as the manager of the Houston Astros (70-81, -$767) when they take on the soon-to-be NL Central champion St. Louis Cardinals (89-63, +$1,104) for the third game of a three-game baseball gambling set. Last night, the Cardinals handed the Astros their ninth straight loss to move one step closer towards another divisional pennant.
St. Louis betting fanatics will look to notch another with RHP John Smoltz on the mound. Smoltz continues to look like a renewed man since he has left the Boston Red Sox. After going just 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in eight starts with the Sox, the veteran right-hander is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in five MLB gambling affairs with the Cardinals. In those five starts, not only has Smoltz been unhittable, but his bullpen has been incredibly effective as well. The unit hasnt given up a run in 11 straight innings for him. Offensively, the Cards may have struggled in those five starts, averaging just 3.4 runs per game, but thanks to the great pitching, they are 4-1 in Smoltzs outings. The righty has made 46 career appearances and 36 starts against the Astros in his career, going 16-13 with seven saves, two holds, and a 2.98 ERA.
Houstons 24-year old RHP Bud Norris will be opposing the veteran on Wednesday night. Norris has had plenty of ups and downs in this, his first baseball wagering season, but at 5-3 with a 5.07 ERA, Houston betting aficionados cant complain too much about his efforts. After struggling through the month of August, September has treated the righty significantly better. He is 2-0 in his three starts (Houston is 2-1), and he has only allowed a total of 15 hits, four walks, and four runs in his 17 innings of work. Norris got his first MLB wagering start against the Cardinals back on August 2nd, and he had the greatest outing of his young career that day, throwing seven shutout innings on just two hits for his first win.
The Cardinals own a 9-5 lead in this series in 2009. Dating back to last season, the home team has won 13 of the L/17 meetings between these division rivals. The oddsmakers have lined the Cards as -140 baseball betting road favorites on Wednesday, while the MLB gambling odds feature an over/under of 8.5 over -125.
(c) 2008 Eye on Gambling. LLC , All Rights Reserved.
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