MLB Odds

Sunday, the Boston Red Sox battled the Philadelphia Phillies in interleague play. Similar to his time in Toronto, Philadelphia staff ace Roy Halladay had the difficult task of shutting down the Boston offence. In his career, Halladay has had a sub 500 record against only a handful of teams. The Boston Red Sox have been the biggest thorn in Halladay's side, and Sunday was non-more evident, as he gave up seven earned runs, while the Red Sox cruised to an eight to three victory over the defending National League Champions. Going into the game, the Red Sox had struggled as they currently sit fourth in the American League East, one of the toughest divisions in all of sports. When placing a bet on MLB teams such as the Red Sox, in years past, one could always assume a win.

However, early this season, the Red Sox have struggled out of the gate, with slow starting designated hitter David Ortiz finally rounding into shape. Throughout the early part of the season, the Red Sox starting rotation led by Clay Bucholz and Daise K, has been able to keep the team in games they otherwise should not have been in. The offense finally showed up in the game against Halladay and the Phillies, as Halladay's arch nemesis, Kevin Youkilis was able to go three for five against the big righty, as Youkilis improved his average against Halladay to a whopping 400. In a year in which the Rays, Yankees and Blue Jays all appear stronger, the slow start for the Red Sox may hurt their chances for qualifying for the playoffs. On the other hand, similar to Super Saver at the Kentucky Derby, the Red Sox although starting the season in the back, can assure betting fans that they will be near the front of the pack by the season's end.

When it comes to betting on Preakness Stakes this week, you'll know that Calvin Borel is one to watch as he steers Super Save through the field. For Minnesota, their "jockey" is AL MVP Joe Mauer, who is back as the starting catcher for the Twins after an injury.

Mauer missed eight games with a bad bruise on his left heel on April 30^th, and he returned as a pinch-hitter in a 6-1 win over Baltimore last Saturday. He was then assigned to the designated-hitter position in a 6-0 shutout of the Orioles on Sunday, before returning to the lineup as the catcher in a 5-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox, going 3-for-4 with a double. The Twins are simply a much better team when Mauer is ready to go, even if they have another former AL MVP in Justin Morneau at first base. As much as Mauer adds at the plate, coming in third in the American League with a .359 average and fifth with an OBP of .419 (Morneau leads the league at .479), he may bring more behind the plate as he handles a Minnesota pitching staff that won't overpower anyone, instead using command and a solid gameplan by Mauer and the Minnesota pitching staff.

The Twins actually fared well without their star, going 5-3 in the eight games in which he didn't start, but four of those games came against Cleveland and Baltimore, and two of the losses came against the Orioles. If the Twins are going to keep pace in the American League betting ranks, they'll need to keep Mauer on the field as much as possible.

A myriad of events are available this month as sports betting is full of playoff series, including NBA odds, Premier League Soccer, and spring baseball. The MLB season is only a few weeks old, but there is lots of news to keep in mind as the season progresses.

This week, a sudden surprise announcement by a top NL contender has made big headlines. The Philadelphia Phillies has reached an agreement with slugger Ryan Howard, as the first baseman signed a 5 year extension on his contract worth $125 million. The deal could keep the All-star in a Phillies uniform until 2017-his contract was to expire in two years, but Howard was not eager to test the free agent market.

Howard has been one of the best hitters since he came into the league. He is one of four players in the history of the league to hit at least 40 home runs and 130 RBIs in four straight seasons, second only to Babe Ruth. He stacks up well to his main slugging contemporary, Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Since 2006, Howard has more home runs and RBIs than Pujols, but also more strike outs. He slugging and on base percentage has been lower than the Cardinal as well, but this year Howard has made adjustments. His has lost weight and is toe to toe with Pujols in every major offensive category this season.

Locking up one of the best hitters in the leagues makes the Phillies perennial contenders with Howard as the offensive centerpiece. With an ace pitcher Roy Halladay, with offensive prowess lead by Howard, there is no reason the Phillies won't win the NL for the third straight season and contend for the World Series Championship.

After all the talk and speculation that centered around Atlanta Braves sportsbook rookie outfielder Jason Heyward, the youngster wasted little time answering his critics, going deep on the first pitch he faced this season, launching his career in style. Heyward stepped to the plate for his first at-bat, got set in the box, and drove a Carlos Zambarno offering for a three-run homer in his first major league swing. Heyward went on to hit a run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth inning, to finish the day two-for-five with four RBI, leading the Braves to an opening day 16-5 win.

Heyward is the closest thing to a hometown prospect that the team has had in years, not including hockey betting players. The 20-year old grew up just 30 minutes south of Atlanta, in a town called Henry County, and is only one of a young Braves lineup that has Atlanta fans optimistic about what is to come in the next couple of seasons. The 11-point opening day win over a league rival added even more emphasis to the excitement for the coming season. Widely considered one of the most talented positional players in the minors last season, Heyward boasts the perfect combination of power and plat discipline, and if his quick start is any indication, will be leading the Breaves' offense for seasons to come.

Atlanta will resume play on Wednesday in their second of a three game sportsbetting series against the Cubs, leading up to the 2010 Masters odds play.