Ever since Don Zimmer’s head was tossed into the wind and Dave Roberts slid in safe into second base, the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry has become something different entirely – what with the Sox now with more championships than New York since 2001. It now involves World Series contenders that are curse-free and includes teams with rosters that add a superstar or two each year.
Winning the season series always seems to be a barometer for pundits comparing the two teams, and this year seems to be as up in the air as any. It’s probably no surprise that after Boston’s collapse in 2011 and the offseason moves made by New York, the Yankees are -130 favorites to win the season series, according MLB Betting Odds available at Bovada Sportsbook. Continue reading
Going to one World Series is one thing. Going to two in a row means you are really onto something. Just like losing two in a row means you are missing something.
As Felix Hernandez has already shown, pitchers start the regular season ahead of hitters. This is the time as a pitcher to grab a few fairly easy wins before the hitters get caught up to snackin on fastballs. Still, King Felix plays on a team that doesn’t really feel like scoring many runs. That’s been okay for him in the past, but will be a big disadvantage with top pitchers rolling for some of the most explosive AL lineups in years.
After one of the biggest off-seasons in a decade (although the NFL really snuffed it out pretty quickly didn’t it?) the dust is finally settling for the upcoming MLB season. And with just under two weeks remaining until opening day, the picture is getting clearer for individual award favorites.
As we inch closer to kicking off the 2012 MLB season, it’s only right to throw out predictions for the coveted awards given at the end of the season. With the huge offseason moves made by big names that moved into the American League, the dynamics of the MVP race is going to be one of the most exciting we have ever seen. Bovada.com is listing all odds for the MLB awards currently and there are slew of categories you can check out. Looking over the names on the list in the AL we have the usual contenders in Jose Bautista, Robinson Cano, Evan Longoria, Adrian Gonzalez, and Miguel Cabrera.
If last year’s success for the Tampa Bay Rays was any sign of things to come for the franchise, the crowd’s signature hitting of the cowbell will be plentiful in October.
The Tigers made a run deep in the playoffs as the underrdog past the New York Yankees, only to fall to the Texas Rangers. Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander finally threw an entire season of quality pitching and Miguel Cabrera either quit drinking all together or hit .338 drunk, which I would prefer to think. Throw into the mix Prince Fielder hitting after Miggy and you are looking at a team that is no longer an underdog against anyone.
The Washington Nationals have something cooking with a few key free agent signings and absolute luck of grabbing two of the best number one picks in the last decade. Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, Ryan Zimmerman, and Bryce Harper are just a couple of names that belong on the long list of future stars that the Nationals were fortunate enough to take in past drafts. Add to that list the team’s closer, Drew Storen, and Anthony Rendon, who were both first rounders also and you are looking are some serious pieces in place.
What the Los Angeles Dodgers lack in money, they more than make up for in talent.