MLB

Phillies will emerge out of the NL and beyond

The MLB playoffs are about to start and, while every bettor seems confident that the Yankees will win the American League pennant, the National League is anyone’s guess. The NL boasts four excellent, well-rounded teams, each worthy of representing the Senior Circuit in the World Series.

In the end, I see the Phillies emerging not just as the NL pennant winners, but the World Series champions once again.

We know the Phillies’ offense has no equal in the National League. The Cardinals, Rockies and Dodgers are no slouches at all with the bats, but let’s get serious: Philly had four 30-home-run hitters this season. The team can rake.

Pitching-wise, the Cards may be the class of the N.L. – at least in a best-of-five series in which their big three of Wainwright/Carpenter/Pineiro can help them jump out to an early lead. In a best-of-seven, however, I like the Phillies’ rotation depth. Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ…if they need a fifth starter, they get Pedro Martinez or Jamie Moyer. Whomever doesn’t get chosen can emerge as a valuable long reliever throughout the postseason.

The Phillies’ only Achilles Heel is relief pitching. Brad Lidge seems primed to pitch more like his Houston playoff choker self than the dominant guy he was a year ago. However, I still think bettors put too much stock into the bullpen. If Lidge falters, the Phillies still have plenty of capable guys, including Ryan Madson, Brett Myers and one of Pedro and Jamie Moyer. Right now, Madson seems to be the guy for saves; if not, someone can still fill the void.

The Phillies are the deepest team in the NL and possibly all of baseball. Pick them to win it all.

 

Red Sox aim to seal wild-card deal

Boston have been an online betting favorite for most of the year, but in order to hold off one American League West team from Texas, they’ll have to get the better of another team, the division-leading Angels. 

John Lackey (10-7, 3.53) vs Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-5, 8.23) – Tuesday, September 15, 7:10 PM ET

Lackey has struggled against the Red Sox in his career, posting a 3-6 mark in 13 career starts, but he may have caught a break against Matsuzaka, who is making his first start in three months after shoulder problems caught up with the 29-year-old. He was rocked in the regular season against the Angels last year, and didn’t fare that much better in the playoffs despite a no-decision. Go with the Angels’ MLB odds on Tuesday night.

Joe Saunders (13-7, 4.81) vs Paul Byrd (1-1, 6.08) – Wednesday, September 16, 7:10 PM ET

Saunders is a perfect 3-0 at Fenway Park in his career with an ERA of 2.75, and he’s given up two runs or less in his last four starts, which have all been victories. Byrd was battered in Chicago before settling down against Baltimore, and he’s 4-2 in nine career outings against the Angels with a 4.94 ERA. Lackey’s early-season numbers are a bit astounding, but he seems to be finding an extra gear late in the season, which is why you should take the Angels in your gambling software on Wednesday.

Ervin Santana (7-8, 5.52) vs Josh Beckett (15-6, 3.82) – Thursday, September 17, 7:10 PM ET

Santana is 0-2 in four starts after a four-start winning streak, and he’s only 1-2 in five career starts against the Red Sox with a 5.67 ERA. Beckett hasn’t fared any better against the Angels, going 2-3 seven starts with a 4.26 ERA, he seems to have settled down since a rough August, which isn’t surprising given that Beckett has always been an excellent pitcher in September. Santana has been too inconsistent to lean on this year, while Beckett is a blistering 9-1 at Fenway Park with a 3.42 ERA. It’s not hard to see why the Red Sox should be in your MLB picks on Thursday.