Yankees Playoff Chances Slipping Away
While you were distracted by Brett Favre's lap-running (celebrities: They're just like us!), Michael Phelps's gold-medal-winning crotch huggers, and a major golf tournament that didn't involve Tiger Woods, you might have missed the most noteworthy New York sports event of the weekend: The Yankees look like they're going to miss the playoffs for the first time since there were no playoffs.
The culprits were the longtime tormenting Angels, who swept the Yankees right out of Anaheim/Los Angeles/California in dominating fashion, winning Friday and Saturday by a combined 21-9 score and then, worst of all, beating Mariano Rivera in a walk-off yesterday. We only have 44 games left in the regular season and only 19 left at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees are in serious trouble. They're eight and a half games behind the Devil Rays in the American League East and, perhaps more ominous, not only four games behind the Red Sox in the wild card, but also two and a half behind the Twins. That extra team makes a lot of difference; even if they're able to chase down the Sox, the AL Central runner-up, either the Twins or the White Sox will be fighting for that same slot. And those teams don't have half the rotation on the disabled list and a frustrated manager who confesses that he's not quite sure what to do.
Baseball Prospectus' Playoff Odds Online Report, checked daily by baseball diehards this time of year, lists the Yankees with just a 8.87 percent chance of reaching the postseason and a 1.20 percent chance at winning the division. That's far lower than the Mets' chances (43.1 percent) and those of long shots like the Cardinals and Marlins. Put it this way: The Rockies, who are fourteen games under .500, have a better chance of winning their division than the Yankees. Or, in other terms, according to bookmaker Paddy Power, the odds of the Yankees winning the American League East are nearly equal to those of John Edwards being picked by Barack Obama as his vice-president.
To put it bluntly: The Yankees are in SERIOUS trouble. It's becoming more apparent than ever that the last game in Yankee Stadium will not be in October; it will be Sunday, September 19, 8:05 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles. The cheapest seats on StubHub are USD 336. Better hurry. And if you're having difficulty coming to terms with a Yankees-less October... hey, look over there! It's Brett Favre!
Copyright 2008, New York Media LLC.
Blue Jays vs Rangers Free Baseball Prediction
The Toronto Blue Jays aren't too far out of the American League Wild Card race but they weren't able to acquire any players at the trade deadline to bolster their roster. They are neck-in-neck with the Texas Rangers as both teams try to keep their unrealistic dream alive. BetOnline.com has the Toronto Blue Jays -125 odds baseball online prediction favorites over the Texas Rangers +105 with the total set at 10 runs.
One of the most bandied about names at the trade deadline was A.J. Burnett, whom the Jays decided to hold on to. He'll get the start on Saturday versus the Scott Feldman. Burnett has been solid of late, which probably means that he is due for a bad start. He's given up only four earned runs over his last 27.1 innings pitched, which is a vast discrepancy from his 4.50 ERA on the season. Burnett's split stats don't tell you much other than he is inconsistent. He pitches better on the road (4.02 ERA), but his road record is 4-6. At home, his record is 8-3 but his ERA is 5.05. In 6.2 innings pitched against Texas this season, Burnett has allowed 10 hits, 6 runs and three walks.
The Rangers were also talking trades as the trade deadline approached but they were looking to sell. In the end, they held on to Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood, two of their rumored pitchers that were on the block. Burnett will face Feldman, who will be making his third start since being called up from Triple-A. Feldman was rocked by the light-hitting Seattle Mariners on Monday, giving up five earned runs over six innings. Feldman has pitched a little bit better at home than on the road this season but boasts an ERA of 4.77 at the Ballpark in Arlington. His walks and hits per inning is a little better at home, which helps keep runners off base and limit the damage. At home his WHIP is 1.35 but on the road it is 1.42 The Rangers haven't fared too well when Feldman has been on the mound. They are 6-12 in games that Feldman has pitched.
Copyright 2008 Point Spreads
Black World Series lets players be seen
The kid was a natural. He joined Smith's baseball team as a sophomore a few years ago and found himself in the starting lineup within a few games. Derrick Johnson, the Golden Eagles' head coach, salivated at the thought of watching the kid develop for the next two years. He never got a chance. The student transferred after the season in search of a place where he could make the basketball team. He got his wish, but rarely made it off the bench.
"Now, what's wrong with that picture?" Johnson said.
It's a common scene these days, African American children passing on baseball due to lack of interest. Johnson is one of several local activists trying to change that. This weekend, he'll lead three local teams to play in the Black World Series, a four-day event that's expected to draw more than a thousand people at Benedict College in Columbia, S.C. It's sponsored by the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League, a national organization that promotes the sport to inner-city youth.
"If nothing else, it gives these kids a chance to play on the big stage, get some exposure," Johnson said, "and hear some things they need to hear."
Johnson and his friends spent what felt like their whole childhood on the sandlots. These days, those fields see more tumbleweeds than grounders.
"We'd play from 9 to 12, go home for a baloney and cheese sandwich and some Kool-Aid, then go back and play 'til the street lights came on," Johnson said. "There's so much going on now that kids don't know what to do. We're living in a faster world."
Not surprisingly, that's pushed many kids away from baseball. Why get 18 people and a bunch of equipment together when you and your buddy can take a basketball to the park and play one-on-one?
"You've got to have a passion for it to be in it this long," said A.J. Allen, a former Dudley player who will be on Johnson's team in South Carolina.
But even those who do have an interest in baseball often have trouble finding a place to play. The summer destination for the area's top talent used to be the all-star teams run by the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department, but they've been replaced by AAU and other travel teams that carry price tags much too hefty for kids who can barely afford a nice pair of cleats.
The problem is compounded at the college level, where scholarships for baseball are fewer and less comprehensive than for other sports. For students whose ability to attend college might be entirely tied to a scholarship, baseball doesn't present the best odds. N.C. A and T's student body is more than 90 percent black, but a majority of its baseball team last season was white.
"I never thought a sport would come down to pay to play, but that's what it is," Dudley head baseball coach Larry Farrer said. "And when it's those terms, blacks just can't afford it."
So how do we even things out? "That's like that USD 2 million question right there," Allen said.
The MJBL and other grassroots activists hope they have a USD 2 million answer by keeping kids exposed to the game and providing opportunities for those who want to pursue it. Thanks to local sponsors, the kids from Greensboro heading to the Black World Series will only have to pay about $20 apiece. Part of their experience will be a symposium on black baseball moderated by former New York Met Mookie Wilson.
"Once you get the awareness of kids and the numbers accumulate," Johnson said, "then you'll be able to make a difference."
The weekend is part of a broader effort by MJBL to secure funding for baseball programs at historically black colleges and universities. In the past four years, four of Johnson's players at Smith earned scholarships to play at an HBCU. Would that money have been there 10 years ago?
"I doubt it," he said. "I really doubt it."
When Farrer took over at Dudley six years ago, his home field was in shambles and he could barely field a team. Now the Panthers have their own batting cages, and Farrer routinely has more than 50 players try out each year.
"It's great. I'm just afraid if I don't carry all these kids, I'm going to lose them," Farrer said. "My mom is always on me that you can't save them all. Well, I'm going to try."
At one of Farrer's first tryouts, a player showed up without cleats or a glove. Farrer would have sent him home had he not been so desperate for bodies. The player's name was Donald Robertson. He also played football and basketball at Dudley, but he wanted to give baseball a try. Once he had some success and started calculating the odds of a career in each sport, he focused on baseball. He's now on scholarship at Shaw. Robertson will play on Johnson's team in South Carolina this weekend. No one's sure how they'll do. At this event, though, the score might not be the most important thing.
"We need to give them the opportunity," Johnson said. "There's enough baseball for every kid."
2008 News & Record and Landmark Communications, Inc.
MLB Saturday Baseball Betting-Angels vs. Dodgers
The second game of a three-game sports betting series between the Angels and Dodgers occurs Saturday night with one L.A. team almost assuredly making a run for a pennant while the other L.A. team hasn't figured out exactly where they stand in the major leagues. Baseball betting fans should note that the Los Angeles Angels have been an online MLB betting money-making machine since the MLB season started. They are easily one of the top three teams in the American League and challenging the Boston Red Sox for the pennant is not out of the question. The Angels start pitcher Jered Weaver on Saturday night. Weaver has had an up and down season with a 7 and 7 record and an ERA of 4.56.
Of course, Weaver's up and down season is nothing compared to the roller-coaster that his Chad Billingsley. Billingsley, who pitches for the Dodgers on Saturday night, has a better ERA then Weaver at 3.67, but his record is a terrible 6 and 7. I say terrible because Billingsley was supposed to be "the man" this season for the Dodgers. Instead, for the most part, he's burning a hole in the pockets of MLB betting fans. This game is going to come down to who wants it more. Who wants it more? Not the Dodgers! The Dodgers just haven't been able to put anything together this season. On paper they always look like they have a chance, but in reality they hardly ever come through. I love the Angels in this situation and getting them at anywhere close to even money on the BetUS online money-line bet would be like getting above even money on John McCain to win Arizona in this year's presidential election.
Chad Billingsley will pitch well early, the Dodgers won't give him any run support, and then the Angels will win this game by at least three runs. My money will be on the L.A. Angels to win this game straight-up. It doesn't even matter to me what the BetUS online wagering odds end up at. I'll be making an online wager on the Angels.
Copyright 1994-2008 BetUS.com
MLB Baseball Futures Betting- Checking in on the NL Central
BetUS Sportsbook has posted baseball betting odds on the eventual winners in every one of Major League Baseball's six divisional races, and in the NL Central is, for all intents and purposes, a two-team race right now. Can Lou Piniella's Chicago Cubs hold off the St. Louis Cardinals, just a year removed from the World Series title? We'll examine that in this update. It might look like the CHICAGO CUBS (-500 in BetUS odds) have clear sailing in this division. They have the best home record in the National League, at 29-8, but they have risen to first place on the strength of that alone. The 16-19 road record they've compiled must be improved upon, but the Cubs lead the majors in team batting average, at .282, and they are second in runs scored (393) through Wednesday's games. Carlos Zambrano (8-3, 3.13 ERA) and Ryan Dempster (8-2, 2.76) are as dynamic a 1-2 tandem as can be found in the National League, and Kerry Wood is starting to settle down as the closer; the fireballer has 18 saves, a sterling 0.86 WHIP ratio and 44 strikeouts in 37 innings. The offense is incredibly balanced, and Chicago has gotten a great season out of rookie catcher Geovany Soto (12 HR, 43 RBI, .286) as well as solid play from Japanese import Kosuke Fukadome (.296). Derrick Lee, Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez are all contributing, as can be expected. It's that inability to win away from home with any consistency that has some people worried.
Unlike the Cubs, the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (+400 in BetUS odds) have compiled a winning record on the road (19-15). Tony LaRussa's team is patient at the plate, drawing more walks than any other major league team, and is getting balance out of its "no name" rotation, with Kyle Lohse, Todd Wellmeyer, Braden Lopper and Adam Wainwright all at least three games over the .500 mark. Albert Pujols, who was hitting .347 as of Wednesday's games, is making another strong bid for the MVP award. And outfielder Ryan Ludwick (16 HR, 55 RBI, .311) is having his best year thus far. Rick Ankiel is still an asset with his power and arm in the outfield (judged by some to be among the best ever), even though he is hitting .250. Yes, there are some bullpen issues to straighten out, but the Cards are in prime striking distance.
The MILWAUKEE BREWERS (+700 in BetUS odds) still could make a move, and they certainly have a shot at the wild card. They've been getting a power surge lately from Ryan Braun (now with 20 homers) and they are just waiting for Prince Fielder (12 HR's, .280) to heat up a little more. Rickie Weeks, who looked like he was at it again this year (.210, but 43 runs scored on just 48 hits) went on the DL with a sprained knee, but he's expected back in the near future. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is also returning from a shoulder ailment. Ben Sheets (8-1, 2.74 ERA) is a strong Cy Young candidate, and Salomon Torres and Brian Shouse have done yeoman's work in the bullpen. They've got to hold up for the full season.
As for the rest, they're a little too far back to make noise, although it should be mentioned that there is some upside to the CINCINNATI REDS (+3500 in BetUS odds), who are getting perhaps the best year of any starting pitcher out of Edinson Volquez, who leads the NL in ERA (1.64 ERA) and strikeouts (105). That's your Cy Young winner, as of now. The value here, however, goes with Cards, who are nicely positioned, just off the pace.
Copyright 1994-2008 BetUS.com
MLB Baseball Wagering - New York Mets vs. San Diego Padres
The New York Mets and the San Diego Padres square-off in the fourth game of their current sports betting series on Sunday afternoon. Scheduled to pitch for the Mets is none other then Pedro Martinez. Martinez, who at one time was the most feared pitcher in the major leagues, will be pitching in only his third game of the season. The 36 year old Martinez has suffered through numerous injuries in his career. There's just no telling how good he will be on Sunday. So far this season, his record is 1 and 0 with an ERA of 6.75. He's given up two home runs in 9.1 innings pitched. The San Diego Padres counter with pitcher Wilfredo Ledezma. Ledezma has started only five games so far this season. He is 0 and 2 on the season, but his two losses occurred when he was working in save situations. The Padres have turned Ledezma into a starter because of injuries to both Chris Young and Jake Peavy.
This is going to be a tough game to call. Bottom line, if Pedro Martinez is healthy, then this thing is over. In fact, once the BetUS online odds come out late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, we might find that Martinez is the favorite. If he is, then putting a wager on Wilfredo Ledezma won't be a bad idea. Martinez should probably retire. He's had too many injuries in order to be the dominant pitcher that he used to be. That means that he is susceptible to being overbet in situations where online baseball betting fans believe he will dominate. Any pitcher in the major leagues could dominate the Padres these days, but I just feel that Ledezma might be a good wager if he ends up the underdog. If not, then I will have to take the Mets at whatever online wagering odds I get to win this game straight-up.
Copyright 1994-2008 BetUS.com
MLB Baseball Betting-Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners
MLB bettors looking for some late night wagering action will get their fill this evening when the (16-17) Chicago White Sox take their show on the road to butt heads with the struggling (14-22) Seattle Mariners. Online betting fans of both the White Sox and Mariners have seen their bankrolls deplete when backing them in this scenario. Chicago finds itself three games under .500 on the road at 7-10 overall, while the Mariners come into tonight's sports betting game two-games under .500 in their own house at 8-10. Neither club enters this online betting affair playing dominant ball. Chicago's only managed wins in three of its L/10 overall, but did just win two of three games in their series at home against the Central Division leading Minnesota Twins. The Mariners have been a complete and utter disgrace of late letting both their moneyline backers and MLB fantasy backers down at the same time. They haven't been able to hit a lick, and just got outscored 17-1 in the last three games of their four-game set with the Texas Rangers. They've managed only two wins in their last 10 games overall, and come into tonight's spot eight-games in back of the AL West leading LA Angels.
Jose Contreras will get the ball for his seventh start of the season looking to improve on his 2-3 record and 4.08 ERA. He suffered a complete game loss against the Toronto Blue Jays his last time out that saw him retire 16 straight batters after giving up three runs in the third inning. In his career against the Mariners, he's 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, which includes last years start at Seattle where he allowed nine hits and five runs (4 earned runs) in seven innings of work in Chicago's 5-4 defeat. Opposing him will be the Mariners Carlos Silva who up until his last start was the rock of Seattle's starting staff. He got lit up by the Yankees last Sunday allowing 11 hits and eight earned runs in just three innings of work. He'll look to rebound against the White Sox, but Chicago has hit him hard throughout his career. Silva's 4-9 with a 5.76 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 16 career starts against the White Sox. He tossed for Minnesota last season, and the Twins lost all four of his starts against Chicago.
Oddsmakers opened the Mariners short –120 home favorites in this evening's baseball betting affair with the 'total' set at 8.5 even. BetUS.com offers all MLB betting odds be it side, total, or run-line, so be sure to login to your account and get your wagers down before the first pitch. Go to the BetUS sportsbook today and take a swing at Major League Baseball online betting. We have the most current baseball odds and lines, as well as player, game and series props throughout the MLB baseball season. To help you bet on sports, check out the Free Picks section of the Locker Room for sports betting free picks and predictions. Join BetUS to experience the best in online sports betting action!
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