MLB baseball betting – Angels unseat Cubs at top of Power Rankings
Posted on 9/11/2008 2:29:13 PM
By T.J. Kendrick
- Angels clinch division, while Rays hold on in AL East
- Slumping Cubs still NL’s best hope
- Streaking Astros, Blue Jays causing havoc in Wild Card races
1. Los Angeles Angels – The Angels are the only team to clinch their division already and can use the rest of the season to build their 2008 World Series odds. All that’s left is for Cy Young futures candidate Francisco Rodriguez to break the single-season saves record and to carry some momentum into the postseason.
2. Tampa Bay Rays – The young Rays are showing they have the mental toughness to hang with the big boys, as they took two of three in Boston after losing five of six to the Yankees and Blue Jays. The Rays still have some of the top MLB futures odds available, and still have All-Star rookie Evan Longoria to return from injury.
3. Chicago Cubs – As of September 11, the Cubs had dropped eight of 10, which is the reason for their drop in these rankings. However, Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano are healthy again, and the Cubs should be considered the favorites to represent the National League in the 2008 World Series.
4. Houston Astros – The Astros won nine of 10 to put some pressure on the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card race, and the Brewers’ slump can only give the Astros hope. While the Astros are still a longshot to snatch a playoff spot, they should be applauded for not giving up.
5. Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays are included for the same reasons Houston is: a 10-game winning streak put pressure on Tampa Bay and Boston in the Wild Card race. Their pitching staff, led by Cy Young futures candidate Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett, has the lowest ERA in the majors. While their 2008 World Series odds may be low, look for the Blue Jays to impact the postseason race.
*all statistics are from the beginning of games played on September 11, 2008
T.J. Kendrick is the biggest baseball nut and a brilliant MLB handicapper. His love of the game borders on obsession, and he takes every chance he gets to make excellent predictions, frequently contributing to industry handicapping sites as well as BetOnline.com. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
