March 2006
The shout of "play ball" has yet to arrive at Major League Baseball Stadiums but it's not too early to place a future book wager or three on the upcoming season, which begins April 2.
As usual, The Greek Sports Book is offering first pitch to final out coverage, including future book prices for the World Series, American and National League pennants and each of the six division races. What's more, The Greek Sports Book also boasts a series of interesting and compelling propositions on the new diamond campaign, including which player will hit the most home runs and which manager will be first to be fired or resign. There's an over/under prop of each team's victories during the regular season as well as player-to-player head-to-head matchups involving hits, home runs, runs, RBIs, stolen bases and wins by pitchers. There's even a proposition on what the balls and strikes count will be on Barry Bonds when the Giants slugger passes Babe Ruth with his 715th homer.
That said, let's look a baker's dozen of prime contenders to win this year's October Classic:
New York Yankees: The Bronx Bombers have been favored to win the World Series in each of the last 10 seasons and this year is no different. Key additions: OF Johnny Damon, RHP Kyle Farnsworth. Key losses: RHP Tom Gordon, 2B Tony Womack. Analysis: Damon brings stability in centerfield and run production to a lineup that already includes MVP Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi and Hidecki Matsui. The question is starting pitching where aging Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina must hold it together. Mariano Rivera is still one of the game's elite closers.
St. Louis Cardinals: The red birds won 100 games or more for the second straight season and went to the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six years and once again are the team to beat in the National League. Key additions: OF Juan Encarnacion, RHP Braden Looper, 2B Junior Spivey. Key losses: 2B Mark Grudzielanek, RHP Matt Morris, OF Reggie Sanders, OF Larry Walker, 3b Abraham Nunez. Analysis: The Cards need 3B Scott Rolen and CF Jim Edmunds to return to 2004 form and to get some quality starts behind ace Chris Carpenter. Jason Isringhausen anchors the bullpen.
Chicago White Sox: The team that won 16 of its final 17 games, including a sweep of Houston in the World Series, could be even better this year. Key additions: 1B Jim Thome, RHP Javier Vasquez, UT Rob Mackowiak. Key losses: OF Aaron Rowland, DH Frank Thomas, RHP Orlando Hernandez. Analysis: The starting rotation of Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland and Vasquez could be the best in baseball and Bobby Jenks has emerged as a top closer. The attack, with Thome joining returning slugger Paul Konerko, is better than last year.
New York Mets: The "other" team in New York has stockpiled talent over the last six years and now appears ready for, at a minimum, a return to the playoffs. Anything else would be a disappointment. Key additions: 1B Carlos Delgado, C Paul Lo Duca, OF Xavier Nady, LHP Billy Wagner. Key losses: RHP Kris Benson, OF Mike Cameron, C Mike Piazza, RHP Braden Looper. Analysis: Led by Pedro Martinez, Mets starters had the fourth best ERA in the Majors last year. Newcomers Lo Duca, Delgado and Nady should bring pop to a lineup that includes Carlos Beltran and David Wright. Wagner adds a quality closer to the mix.
Los Angeles Angels: After back-to-back free-spending winters, the Angels were relatively inactive this year. Key additions: 3B Edgardo Alfonzo, RHP Jeff Weaver, RHP Hector Carrasco. Key losses: RHP Paul Byrd, LHP Jarrod Washburn, OF Steve Finley. Analysis: In a division where their rivals have improved, it remains to be seen if the Angels can overcome the defections of starting pitchers Byrd and Washburn. The bullpen is rock solid but Vladimir Guerrero could use some help producing runs.
Oakland Athletics: Many believe that the A's, who fell from contention after losing starters Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson last year, have helped themselves just enough to overtake the Angels in the competitive AL West. Key additions: OF Milton Bradley, RHP Esteban Loaiza, 1B/DH Frank Thomas. Key losses: None. Analysis: The addition of Loaiza strengthens a solid starting staff that includes Barry Zito, Rich Harden, Joe Blanton and Dan Haren. Huston Street is a comer at closer. The lineup, with Bradley, Eric Chavez, Mark Kotsay, Jason Kendall and Bobby Crosby, is competent.
Boston Red Sox: No team has as many questions as the Sox, who rebuilt their entire infield and lost one of their most valuable performers to the Yankees. Key additions: RHP Josh Beckett, OF Coco Crisp, SS Alex Gonzalez, 2B Mark Loretta, 3B Mike Lowell, 1B J.T. Snow. Key losses: OF Johnny Damon, SS Edgar Renteria. Analysis: The Red Sox could have a terrific rotation if Curt Schilling and Beckett can remain off the disabled list and if Tim Wakefield, David Wells, Matt Clement and Bronson Arroyo do the job behind them. Keith Foulke is an effective closer if he's healthy. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek will knock in runs regards of the supporting cast.
Cleveland Indians: Having proven they can contend, can the Indians take the next step and actually make it into the playoffs? Key additions: RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Jason Johnson, 3B Andy Marte. Key losses: OF Coco Crisp, RHP Scott Elarton, RHP Kevin Millwood. Analysis: Cleveland led the AL in ERA last year but will Byrd and Johnson, who join C.C. Sabathia and Jake Westbrook in the rotation, compensate for the loss of Millwood and Elarton? Bob Wickman is the sometimes-shaky closer. Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Jhonny Peralta propel a mediocre offense.
Chicago Cubs: After coming within five outs of earning a ticket to the World Series in 2003, the Cubs have failed to make the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Key additions: RHP Bob Howry, OF Jacques Jones, OF Juan Pierre. Key losses: OF Jeromy Bernitz, SS Nomar Garciaparra, OF Corey Patterson. Analysis: Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are dynamite at the top of the rotation when they're healthy, which was hardly ever last year. If they rebound and Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux perform up to expectations, the Cubs might be vastly improved. Derrek Lee, who led the NL in hitting, runs, doubles, total bases, extra base hits and slugging percentage, will be looking for help from newcomers Jones and Pierre.
San Francisco Giants: Bonds' pursuit of the home run record will be as much a story as the Giants, who are in position to challenge for the title in the NL West. Key additions: RHP Matt Morris, OF Steve Finley. Key losses: 3b Edgardo Alfonzo, 1B J.T. Snow, RHP Brett Tomko. Analysis: Morris teams with Jason Schmidt to give the Giants a strong one-two punch in pitcher-friendly SBC Park. Closer Armando Benitez missed most of last season with a hamstring injury but is healthy now. Moises Alou, Randy Winn, Ray Durham and Omar Vizquel are the complimentary pieces that surround Bonds.
Houston Astros: Chasing down division stalwart St. Louis will be difficult but Houston could get into the playoffs as the wild card for the third straight year. Key additions: OF Preston Wilson. Key losses: RHP Roger Clemens? Analysis: It's still unknown whether Roger Clemens will pitch again for the Astros. Obviously, if Clemens joins starters Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte and Andy Backe, Houston has a chance to beat anyone, even if the offense, which features Morgan Ensberg, has difficulty producing runs.
Atlanta Braves: Despite massive personnel changes over the last few years, the Braves have a good chance to win their 15th consecutive division title. Key additions: SS Edgar Renteria. Key losses: C Johnny Estrada, SS Rafael Furcal, 3B Andy Marte. Analysis: The Braves used 18 rookies last year and still made the playoffs. Paced by John Smoltz and Tim Hudson, Atlanta has a strong rotation but lost pitching coach Leo Mazzone and needs help in the bullpen. Andruw Jones, Jeff Francoeur, Chopper Jones, Renteria and Marcus Giles fuel the offense.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Questions about pitching linger but the Dodgers benefit from being a member of the mediocre NL West where only the Padres, at 82-80, finished with a winning record last year. Key additions: SS Rafael Furcal, 1B Nomar Garciaparra, OF Kenny Lofton, 3B Bill Mueller, RHP Brett Tomko. Key losses: OF Milton Bradley, RHP Jeff Weaver, C Jason Phillips. Analysis: The starting rotation is suspect but the biggest concern is whether Eric Gagne is healthy enough to again be a dominant closer. Furcal will be a spark at the top of a lineup that features Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew and Garciaparra.
Visit The Greek Sports Book
The shout of "play ball" has yet to arrive at Major League Baseball Stadiums but it's not too early to place a future book wager or three on the upcoming season, which begins April 2.
As usual, The Greek Sports Book is offering first pitch to final out coverage, including future book prices for the World Series, American and National League pennants and each of the six division races. What's more, The Greek Sports Book also boasts a series of interesting and compelling propositions on the new diamond campaign, including which player will hit the most home runs and which manager will be first to be fired or resign. There's an over/under prop of each team's victories during the regular season as well as player-to-player head-to-head matchups involving hits, home runs, runs, RBIs, stolen bases and wins by pitchers. There's even a proposition on what the balls and strikes count will be on Barry Bonds when the Giants slugger passes Babe Ruth with his 715th homer.
That said, let's look a baker's dozen of prime contenders to win this year's October Classic:
New York Yankees: The Bronx Bombers have been favored to win the World Series in each of the last 10 seasons and this year is no different. Key additions: OF Johnny Damon, RHP Kyle Farnsworth. Key losses: RHP Tom Gordon, 2B Tony Womack. Analysis: Damon brings stability in centerfield and run production to a lineup that already includes MVP Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi and Hidecki Matsui. The question is starting pitching where aging Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina must hold it together. Mariano Rivera is still one of the game's elite closers.
St. Louis Cardinals: The red birds won 100 games or more for the second straight season and went to the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six years and once again are the team to beat in the National League. Key additions: OF Juan Encarnacion, RHP Braden Looper, 2B Junior Spivey. Key losses: 2B Mark Grudzielanek, RHP Matt Morris, OF Reggie Sanders, OF Larry Walker, 3b Abraham Nunez. Analysis: The Cards need 3B Scott Rolen and CF Jim Edmunds to return to 2004 form and to get some quality starts behind ace Chris Carpenter. Jason Isringhausen anchors the bullpen.
Chicago White Sox: The team that won 16 of its final 17 games, including a sweep of Houston in the World Series, could be even better this year. Key additions: 1B Jim Thome, RHP Javier Vasquez, UT Rob Mackowiak. Key losses: OF Aaron Rowland, DH Frank Thomas, RHP Orlando Hernandez. Analysis: The starting rotation of Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland and Vasquez could be the best in baseball and Bobby Jenks has emerged as a top closer. The attack, with Thome joining returning slugger Paul Konerko, is better than last year.
New York Mets: The "other" team in New York has stockpiled talent over the last six years and now appears ready for, at a minimum, a return to the playoffs. Anything else would be a disappointment. Key additions: 1B Carlos Delgado, C Paul Lo Duca, OF Xavier Nady, LHP Billy Wagner. Key losses: RHP Kris Benson, OF Mike Cameron, C Mike Piazza, RHP Braden Looper. Analysis: Led by Pedro Martinez, Mets starters had the fourth best ERA in the Majors last year. Newcomers Lo Duca, Delgado and Nady should bring pop to a lineup that includes Carlos Beltran and David Wright. Wagner adds a quality closer to the mix.
Los Angeles Angels: After back-to-back free-spending winters, the Angels were relatively inactive this year. Key additions: 3B Edgardo Alfonzo, RHP Jeff Weaver, RHP Hector Carrasco. Key losses: RHP Paul Byrd, LHP Jarrod Washburn, OF Steve Finley. Analysis: In a division where their rivals have improved, it remains to be seen if the Angels can overcome the defections of starting pitchers Byrd and Washburn. The bullpen is rock solid but Vladimir Guerrero could use some help producing runs.
Oakland Athletics: Many believe that the A's, who fell from contention after losing starters Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson last year, have helped themselves just enough to overtake the Angels in the competitive AL West. Key additions: OF Milton Bradley, RHP Esteban Loaiza, 1B/DH Frank Thomas. Key losses: None. Analysis: The addition of Loaiza strengthens a solid starting staff that includes Barry Zito, Rich Harden, Joe Blanton and Dan Haren. Huston Street is a comer at closer. The lineup, with Bradley, Eric Chavez, Mark Kotsay, Jason Kendall and Bobby Crosby, is competent.
Boston Red Sox: No team has as many questions as the Sox, who rebuilt their entire infield and lost one of their most valuable performers to the Yankees. Key additions: RHP Josh Beckett, OF Coco Crisp, SS Alex Gonzalez, 2B Mark Loretta, 3B Mike Lowell, 1B J.T. Snow. Key losses: OF Johnny Damon, SS Edgar Renteria. Analysis: The Red Sox could have a terrific rotation if Curt Schilling and Beckett can remain off the disabled list and if Tim Wakefield, David Wells, Matt Clement and Bronson Arroyo do the job behind them. Keith Foulke is an effective closer if he's healthy. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek will knock in runs regards of the supporting cast.
Cleveland Indians: Having proven they can contend, can the Indians take the next step and actually make it into the playoffs? Key additions: RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Jason Johnson, 3B Andy Marte. Key losses: OF Coco Crisp, RHP Scott Elarton, RHP Kevin Millwood. Analysis: Cleveland led the AL in ERA last year but will Byrd and Johnson, who join C.C. Sabathia and Jake Westbrook in the rotation, compensate for the loss of Millwood and Elarton? Bob Wickman is the sometimes-shaky closer. Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Jhonny Peralta propel a mediocre offense.
Chicago Cubs: After coming within five outs of earning a ticket to the World Series in 2003, the Cubs have failed to make the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Key additions: RHP Bob Howry, OF Jacques Jones, OF Juan Pierre. Key losses: OF Jeromy Bernitz, SS Nomar Garciaparra, OF Corey Patterson. Analysis: Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are dynamite at the top of the rotation when they're healthy, which was hardly ever last year. If they rebound and Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux perform up to expectations, the Cubs might be vastly improved. Derrek Lee, who led the NL in hitting, runs, doubles, total bases, extra base hits and slugging percentage, will be looking for help from newcomers Jones and Pierre.
San Francisco Giants: Bonds' pursuit of the home run record will be as much a story as the Giants, who are in position to challenge for the title in the NL West. Key additions: RHP Matt Morris, OF Steve Finley. Key losses: 3b Edgardo Alfonzo, 1B J.T. Snow, RHP Brett Tomko. Analysis: Morris teams with Jason Schmidt to give the Giants a strong one-two punch in pitcher-friendly SBC Park. Closer Armando Benitez missed most of last season with a hamstring injury but is healthy now. Moises Alou, Randy Winn, Ray Durham and Omar Vizquel are the complimentary pieces that surround Bonds.
Houston Astros: Chasing down division stalwart St. Louis will be difficult but Houston could get into the playoffs as the wild card for the third straight year. Key additions: OF Preston Wilson. Key losses: RHP Roger Clemens? Analysis: It's still unknown whether Roger Clemens will pitch again for the Astros. Obviously, if Clemens joins starters Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte and Andy Backe, Houston has a chance to beat anyone, even if the offense, which features Morgan Ensberg, has difficulty producing runs.
Atlanta Braves: Despite massive personnel changes over the last few years, the Braves have a good chance to win their 15th consecutive division title. Key additions: SS Edgar Renteria. Key losses: C Johnny Estrada, SS Rafael Furcal, 3B Andy Marte. Analysis: The Braves used 18 rookies last year and still made the playoffs. Paced by John Smoltz and Tim Hudson, Atlanta has a strong rotation but lost pitching coach Leo Mazzone and needs help in the bullpen. Andruw Jones, Jeff Francoeur, Chopper Jones, Renteria and Marcus Giles fuel the offense.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Questions about pitching linger but the Dodgers benefit from being a member of the mediocre NL West where only the Padres, at 82-80, finished with a winning record last year. Key additions: SS Rafael Furcal, 1B Nomar Garciaparra, OF Kenny Lofton, 3B Bill Mueller, RHP Brett Tomko. Key losses: OF Milton Bradley, RHP Jeff Weaver, C Jason Phillips. Analysis: The starting rotation is suspect but the biggest concern is whether Eric Gagne is healthy enough to again be a dominant closer. Furcal will be a spark at the top of a lineup that features Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew and Garciaparra.
Visit The Greek Sports Book