I’m going to preview a couple more individual MLB betting teams here, mainly because I’m starting to put my baseball betting money where my mouth…er…typing fingers are, and placed a few bets already. One was a 12-pack of beer vs. a bottle of Absolut that the White Sox would finish with a better regular season record than the Cincinnati Reds.
It would seem, on paper, I’m a lock to win. But is it that simple? Let’s see.
The first MLB team we’ll look at is the Reds, this is a team that’s gone nowhere slowly the last few years, ending last season on a 5-game skid, dumping into fifth place with a 74-88 record. A meager step up from the 72-90 spot they put up the year before. Back in 2006 they were only a pair under .500, so we’re not exactly headed in the right direction here. Are they primed for an upswing this year? A surface scratch of the talent might get your hopes up Reds fans, with Jay Bruce and Joey Votto leading the charge. So how far can youthful energy take a soccer betting team? Further than Griffey and Dunn were taking them, that’s for sure.
I won’t argue that the Reds have reason to be excited. Of course, every team can say the same thing during spring training when we’re all in first place. Here’s where the rain comes, though. Starting pitching. Your current “ace” Harang gave your team a 4.78 ERA/6-17 record effort last year, and he’s not on the happy side of 30, either. Volquez, however, showed he’s a force, with a respectable 1.33 WHIP and good-for-the-NL ERA of 3.21. After that, you’ve got Arroyo and a few more question marks. In the ninth, I see Cordero as a fairly average, maybe slightly above average closer.
Unless this team is in the hunt in June and looking for another arm, they’re at least a couple years away from really competing for a playoff spot.
From the sports betting perspective, they’re an older, slower team than I’m sure even they’d admit they want to be. Konerko and Thome still have impressive basketball betting power, but unless they smack a HR or a long double, your base-running plan is gonna be as day-to-day as Griffey.
What I do like about the Sox, in addition to a ton of experience, is the potential. Baseball experts and fans alike love to throw out the “ifs” early on, but if the Sox stay healthy, their starting rotation will carry them through a lot of dry spells at the plate. Buerhle, Danks, Floyd, Contreras and Colon are all capable of being a No. 1-2 caliber starter when they’re on. And Buerhle and Colon are proven, reliable innings-eaters. Which Colon will the Sox get and how long will Contreras’ body hold out are both wild card questions. And Jenks can close 45 games with his belt undone.
I wouldn’t recommend a World Series ring-type snooker betting on either team. But I’d put some money down on the Sox making the playoffs, and the Reds not. In fact, I already have. I predict the Reds will approach .500 again but finish 76-86, and the Sox will fight to win 90 games again, give or take a couple.
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