| 2009 World Series Betting Odds, Picks, Predictions - August Update |
|
|
|
| Written by Matt Foust | |||||||
|
Tuesday, 04 August 2009
|
|||||||
|
2009 World Series Betting Odds, Picks, Predictions - August Update: With approximatley 58 games left in the Major League Baseball season, odds makers at Sportsbook.com have updated their 2009 World Series betting odds. The present favorites to win the Fall Classic in the online bookmaker's August update are the Boston Red Sox (+400) and New York Yankees (+400). In order to determine which of these two squads has the best chance to take home the World Series trophy, the following factors will be examined: current standing, pitching staff, offense, and schedule. Boston Red Sox: Terry Francona's squad is in the thick of the AL East race, sitting a half game back of the first place Yankees with a 62-42 record. They are 35-17 at Fenway Park and 27-25 in road action. The Boston rotation, as it is currently constructed, is certainly in the top third of the league. Josh Beckett has been unflappable of late and Jon Lester has been consistent enough as the number two man. The three through five spots have been shaky at times as Brad Penny, John Smoltz, and Clay Buchholz have covered the spectrum in terms of performance. The Red Sox are 13-13 when those three start, compared to 30-12 when Beckett and Lester take the hill. The return of a healthy Daisuke Matsuzaka along with veteran knuckler-baller Tim Wakefield should be a major boon for Boston. Aiding the Red Sox bid for another championship is a bullpen that ranks first in the league in ERA (3.19), fourth in batting average against (.238), and thirteenth in strikeouts (272). Boston can also rake with the best in the league, ranking in the top 10 in almost every major offensive category. Only the Angels and the Yankees have scored more runs than the Red Sox, who are averaging 5.27 runs per game. Pro: Bullpen and starting rotation with Matsuzaka and Wakefield. Con: Back end of current rotation with Smoltz and Penny. Critical Stretch: Aug. 4-5 @ Tampa Bay, Aug. 6-9 @ New York Yankees, Aug. 10-13 vs. Detroit, Aug. 14-16 @ Texas, Aug. 18-20 @ Toronto, Aug. 21-23 vs. New York Yankees. New York Yankees: New York presently has the top spot in the AL East with a 63-42 record. The Yanks are 35-17 in their new stadium and 28-25 outside of the Bronx. The New York rotation one through four would appear to be the strongest in the league, despite what would have to be called a mildly disappointing first half of the season from C.C. Sabathia. The big left-hander is 11-7 with a 3.95 ERA, but New York is, surprisingly, just 12-11 when he starts. New York, however, is 53-32 when the top four (Sabathia, Burnett, Chamberlain, and Pettitte) take the hill. The fifth spot is a big question mark at this point, though, as Sergio Mitre, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy starts have resulted in an 8-11 New York record. Like Boston, New York also has a top-shelf bullpen, despite ranking 23rd in ERA at 4.33. Opponents are hitting just .233 versus the Yanks relief crew, which ranks third in the league, and they have struck out 303 while walking just 129. The Yankees are the best offensive team in baseball right now (Angels breathing down their necks), ranking first in on base percentage, slugging percentage, and base on balls. They are also third in batting average, second in home runs, and fourth in doubles. Joe Girardi's club is averaging 5.5 runs per game on the season. Pro: Offensive prowess and overall strength of starting rotation. Con: Lack of proven fifth starter. Critical Stretch: Sept. 21-23 @ Los Angeles Angels, Sept. 25-27 vs. Boston, Sept. 28-30 vs. Kansas City, Oct. 2-4 @ Tampa Bay. 2009 World Series Prediction: New York Yankees Sportsbook.com 2009 World Series Betting Odds, Picks, Predictions - August Update: Boston Red Sox +400                        |
|||||||
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 06 August 2009 ) | |||||||
