2010 Bet On Baseball – Most Impressive Teams Of The First Half
Online betting players are gearing up for the All-Star Game on July 13th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, and even though the game will be held in an American League park, you have to focus on the National League when it comes to the most impressive teams of the first half of the season.
Texas
Many figured that the Rangers would push the Angels in the American League West, but as of July 1, they threatened to pull away with a 4 ½-game lead. The pitching is finally starting to catch up to the hitting as Texas is third in the American League in runs scored, but they’re also fourth in ERA. Josh Hamilton is back after an injury-plagued 2009, while ex-Angel Vladdy Guerrero is starting to come around after a slow start. The Rangers in the market to improve their starting pitching, and if they were to get someone like Seattle’s Cliff Lee or Houston’s Roy Oswalt, they would roll through the West.
Atlanta
The Braves lead the National League East by 1 ½ games, and they’re third in the National League in runs, while coming in fourth in ERA. Jason Heyward may be the MLB betting favorite for the Rookie of the Year despite some recent struggles, but the Braves have some veterans who can step up for their young slugger, like Troy Glaus, who is on pace for another 30-homer season. The pitching staff is a combination of youth and experience, and Tim Hudson looks to be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery. A division title would be a great way to send the likes of manager Bobby Cox and Chipper Jones into retirement.
New York Mets
The Mets are currently behind Atlanta and ahead of Philadelphia in the East, and they’re doing it with pitching as they’re fifth in the National League in ERA, and first in shutouts. Mike Pelfrey has been a monster over the first half, while Johan Santana has been more consistent. The surprise has been R.A. Dickey, who has pitched well above his standards so far and he’ll be the key to the Mets holding on over the second half. David Wright seems to have his power back on the offensive side of the plate, and Jason Bay has yet to play his best baseball, so the hitting should get better.
Cincinnati
The Reds may be the most surprising team in the entire major leagues, as we’re not used to talking about their chances heading into July. They lead the National League in runs scored, and while Joey Votto and Jonny Gomes have been great, Scott Rolen has been out of his mind and could be the favorite for the Comeback Player of the Year award. The pitching has struggled a bit, coming in 12th in ERA, but Mike Leake has held up well in his first year in the majors. We really don’t think the Reds can continue to punch above their weight for the rest of the year, but if they’re still leading the Central division heading into September, who is to say they won’t be this year’s version of the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays?
San Diego
The Padres are doing in the opposite fashion as the Reds, as they lead the National League in ERA. Pitching has been always been a strength of the Padres, and it needs to be as they’re 11th in runs scored, and it’s getting more and more unlikely that they’ll be able to hold onto slugger Adrian Gonzalez. But when you have two pitchers (Clayton Richard, Mat Latos) with ERAs under 3.00 heading into July, and one more (Jon Garland) who is just above that line, you’re going to have a chance to win some games. If the Padres can somehow hold onto Gonzalez past the trade deadline, it wouldn’t be a stretch to place a sports betting wager on San Diego being a postseason darkhorse in 2010.
