MLB betting - Jays' manager change gives lineup much-needed juice
Posted on 6/25/2008 11:34:35 PM
By T.J. Kendrick
MLB betting can be a tricky proposition, and regularly making baseball picks gives sports bettors a feel for what teams are generally safe to pick and which should be generally avoided. But what if a team does something drastic mid-season? What if it fires the manager? Should that impact a bettor's decision-making?
In the case of the Toronto Blue Jays, the answer seems to be “Yes”. The Jays rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored. They've struggled all season despite an excellent rotation, often losing games in extra innings after a brilliant performance by the starter and bullpen. If you were betting on a Jays game, you were taking the under on the run line. Throughout the year, some argued Toronto's underachieving lineup was merely slumping at the same time and that, eventually, it would move back toward its career averages.
Nearly halfway through the season, this had yet to happen. Something had to give, and last week manager Jon Gibbons was fired. Cito Gaston—a favorite from the past who led Toronto to World Series wins in '92 and '93—was hired in his stead. In Gaston's first two games back, nothing changed. The Jays managed just three total runs in back-to-back losses, including a 12-inning shut out. On Sunday, the offense seemingly woke up in a big way.
Toronto racked up 11 hits and eight runs in a win over the Pirates. Two days later, after an off-day, the birds absolutely destroyed the Reds, producing an unbelievable 22 hits and 14 runs. The hitting was spread throughout the lineup, with every starter notching a hit and all but one picking up an RBI.
Can Toronto maintain this torrid pace? Even if the Jays hitters do return to form, it's debatable whether it was because of the new hitting approach Gaston's staff has imparted (swinging early and often, vs. taking pitches and drawing walks) or they simply came around after a fluky slump. But the firing and hiring of a manger is reason enough to take notice of the Jays.
A week ago, sports bettors had to carefully scrutinize Toronto's pitching match-ups and wonder if it was worth the risk. Doc Halladay is an incredible ace, but if his teammates will only back him with two runs, can you put faith in the former Cy Young winner? That might not be an issue anymore with the free-swinging Jays.
The Mets and Mariners recently fired their managers too. Keep an eye on their progress over the next week or two, because when MLB betting, the slightest change can affect your MLB picks.
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.
