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It’s almost getting cruel – unless you are a Rangers fan – how many injuries are striking the Detroit Tigers in this year’s American League Championship Series. Yet Detroit remains resilient, taking Game 3 in Motown 5-2 on Tuesday night with Game 4 a quick turnaround this afternoon again at Comerica Park. The Rangers opened as slight road favorites on Bodog’s MLB baseball odds.
The Tigers may have lost outfielder Delmon Young for the rest of this series (again). You may remember Young was originally ruled out after Game 1, yet shockingly was re-added to the roster and played in Game 2 when Magglio Ordonez went out with a season-ending ankle injury. Well, that oblique injury clearly is still bothering Young as he was a scratch from Tuesday’s Game 3.
Young was originally batting third and playing left field, the same spot he had in Game 2. But just like Monday, Young's spot was tentative depending on how he felt before the game. Once he reported to Comerica Park and met with the team's medical staff, it was decided that Young couldn't go. Rookie Andy Dirks took Young's spot in left field, making his first start of this postseason. He hit ninth and was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Meanwhile, Tigers DH Victor Martinez led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run off Texas right-hander Colby Lewis (one of three Tigers homers in the game), but he seemed hurt even before leaving the batter's box. In completing the swing that tied the game at 1, Martinez landed awkwardly on his twisted lower right leg. Martinez made his way around the bases very slowly and was visibly limping by the time he reached the Tigers' dugout. He didn’t leave the game, however, even though Fox-TV reported he had an oblique injury as well. So he could be iffy for today.
Detroit may need a great performance from Rick Porcello with all these hitters ailing. Porcello will be making his first start in eight days, since his assignment in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees. But Porcello pitched two relief innings in Game 1 of this series, retiring all six batters he faced. He made one start vs. Texas during the season, allowing six hits and one run in six innings on June 7 in an 8-1 victory.
The Rangers go with lefty Matt Harrison. He is just 1-4 with a 6.89 ERA in seven career appearances vs. Detroit. Back in June, Harrison allowed eight hits and four runs in four innings vs. Detroit but said he passed a stubborn kidney stone later that night. Harrison's other start against the Tigers this season was a 5-4 loss on Aug. 3, when he went six innings and gave up four runs on nine hits. His lone playoff outing so far was in the Game 4 clincher of the ALDS vs. Tampa Bay when he allowed two runs in five innings.
Tuesday's win guaranteed Detroit will get to start ace Justin Verlander in Game 5 of the ALCS.
The Tigers may have lost outfielder Delmon Young for the rest of this series (again). You may remember Young was originally ruled out after Game 1, yet shockingly was re-added to the roster and played in Game 2 when Magglio Ordonez went out with a season-ending ankle injury. Well, that oblique injury clearly is still bothering Young as he was a scratch from Tuesday’s Game 3.
Young was originally batting third and playing left field, the same spot he had in Game 2. But just like Monday, Young's spot was tentative depending on how he felt before the game. Once he reported to Comerica Park and met with the team's medical staff, it was decided that Young couldn't go. Rookie Andy Dirks took Young's spot in left field, making his first start of this postseason. He hit ninth and was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Meanwhile, Tigers DH Victor Martinez led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run off Texas right-hander Colby Lewis (one of three Tigers homers in the game), but he seemed hurt even before leaving the batter's box. In completing the swing that tied the game at 1, Martinez landed awkwardly on his twisted lower right leg. Martinez made his way around the bases very slowly and was visibly limping by the time he reached the Tigers' dugout. He didn’t leave the game, however, even though Fox-TV reported he had an oblique injury as well. So he could be iffy for today.
Detroit may need a great performance from Rick Porcello with all these hitters ailing. Porcello will be making his first start in eight days, since his assignment in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees. But Porcello pitched two relief innings in Game 1 of this series, retiring all six batters he faced. He made one start vs. Texas during the season, allowing six hits and one run in six innings on June 7 in an 8-1 victory.
The Rangers go with lefty Matt Harrison. He is just 1-4 with a 6.89 ERA in seven career appearances vs. Detroit. Back in June, Harrison allowed eight hits and four runs in four innings vs. Detroit but said he passed a stubborn kidney stone later that night. Harrison's other start against the Tigers this season was a 5-4 loss on Aug. 3, when he went six innings and gave up four runs on nine hits. His lone playoff outing so far was in the Game 4 clincher of the ALDS vs. Tampa Bay when he allowed two runs in five innings.
Tuesday's win guaranteed Detroit will get to start ace Justin Verlander in Game 5 of the ALCS.
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The AL and NL League Championship Series have the spotlight in the world of Major League Baseball right now, but a potentially earth-shaking development might be looming on the North Side of Chicago, as there are reports out of Boston that Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is leaving that franchise to take over running the Cubs.
The Boston Herald is reporting that Epstein, the club's general manager since 2003, is "on the cusp" of taking the same job with the Cubs. The paper said an announcement of the deal could take place within 24 to 48 hours. Of course Epstein is credited with ending the Red Sox’s 86-year title curse in 2004 (then winning another World Series three years later), but Boston had a historic collapse this September to get knocked out of the playoffs on the final night of the season despite holding a nine-game wild-card lead at the start of September.
The Red Sox already announced Terry Francona wouldn’t be back as manager and there were rumors that Epstein and some of the Boston top brass were no longer seeing eye to eye on things. Epstein does have a year left on his contract, so the Red Sox could and surely will demand compensation from the Cubs (Boston has already declined to give Epstein an extension). Epstein likely would be given a title higher than general manager on the North Side.
And of course curse is a word very familiar to Cubs fans. That franchise hasn’t won a World Series since 1908 and hasn’t even played in one since 1945. Chicago was just 71-91 this year and appears years away from contention again with some bad contracts weighing the team down (hello, Alfonso Soriano). GM Jim Hendry was fired this summer and Manager Mike Quade is likely to be let go by the new general manager. There are rumors Epstein could try to hire Francona to be his manager in Chicago.
The Boston Herald is reporting that Epstein, the club's general manager since 2003, is "on the cusp" of taking the same job with the Cubs. The paper said an announcement of the deal could take place within 24 to 48 hours. Of course Epstein is credited with ending the Red Sox’s 86-year title curse in 2004 (then winning another World Series three years later), but Boston had a historic collapse this September to get knocked out of the playoffs on the final night of the season despite holding a nine-game wild-card lead at the start of September.
The Red Sox already announced Terry Francona wouldn’t be back as manager and there were rumors that Epstein and some of the Boston top brass were no longer seeing eye to eye on things. Epstein does have a year left on his contract, so the Red Sox could and surely will demand compensation from the Cubs (Boston has already declined to give Epstein an extension). Epstein likely would be given a title higher than general manager on the North Side.
And of course curse is a word very familiar to Cubs fans. That franchise hasn’t won a World Series since 1908 and hasn’t even played in one since 1945. Chicago was just 71-91 this year and appears years away from contention again with some bad contracts weighing the team down (hello, Alfonso Soriano). GM Jim Hendry was fired this summer and Manager Mike Quade is likely to be let go by the new general manager. There are rumors Epstein could try to hire Francona to be his manager in Chicago.
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Justin Verlander gave the Detroit Tigers just what they were looking for Thursday, 100-plus pitches and over seven innings of work. It also helps that the Tigers bats backed him up in the 7-5 win.
The Tigers really got going in the 6th. Tied 2-2 Detroit’s Ryan Rayburn led off with a single. He was brought home when Miguel Cabrera doubled, then Cabrera scored following Victor Martinez triple. Delmon Young then stepped up and hit a two-run shot for his second home run in the game. The barrage would be the first “natural cycle” in postseason history.
The Tigers would need the extra runs as the Rangers would wear down Verlander in the 8th. With only two runs through 7 innings, Verlander gave up a two-run shot to the red hot Nelson Cruz before being pulled to make it a 7-4 game. Reliever Phil Coke gave up another run in the 9th to put Tigers fans on edge however we was able to force Mike Napoli to ground into a fielder’s choice at second to end the game.
It’s been controversial over whether Verlander should even be starting in Game 5. Detroit fans wanted the Cy Young favorite to start in Game 4, a game they lost 7-3, so Verlander would be available if there was a Game 7. But Detroit manager Jim Leyland has refused to play Verlander on short rest. Considering tonight’s steady performance in an elimination game he appears to have made the right move.
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The Tigers really got going in the 6th. Tied 2-2 Detroit’s Ryan Rayburn led off with a single. He was brought home when Miguel Cabrera doubled, then Cabrera scored following Victor Martinez triple. Delmon Young then stepped up and hit a two-run shot for his second home run in the game. The barrage would be the first “natural cycle” in postseason history.
The Tigers would need the extra runs as the Rangers would wear down Verlander in the 8th. With only two runs through 7 innings, Verlander gave up a two-run shot to the red hot Nelson Cruz before being pulled to make it a 7-4 game. Reliever Phil Coke gave up another run in the 9th to put Tigers fans on edge however we was able to force Mike Napoli to ground into a fielder’s choice at second to end the game.
It’s been controversial over whether Verlander should even be starting in Game 5. Detroit fans wanted the Cy Young favorite to start in Game 4, a game they lost 7-3, so Verlander would be available if there was a Game 7. But Detroit manager Jim Leyland has refused to play Verlander on short rest. Considering tonight’s steady performance in an elimination game he appears to have made the right move.
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Pop that ginger ale Texas, you’re going back to the World Series.
After its disappointing finish in 2010, the Rangers will get its second shot at a World Series title with a 15-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Down 3-2 in the ALCS, the Detroit Tigers came out firing with home runs in the 1st and the 2nd inning. But Texas blew the game wide open with a nine-run third, paving the way for its second-straight AL pennant and trip to the World Series.
“That was huge, that’s our offense,” Rangers third-baseman Adrian Beltre said “They held us off the whole series with pretty good pitching but we figured out how to score runs against them.”
Eight different players scored in the blowout, posting 17 hits and RBIs from seven different players. The exclamation point came from the red hot Nelson Cruz, the right fielder came in to Saturday’s contest with five home runs in the post season, then blasted number six, a two run shot, off Brad Penny. Ian Kinsler and Michael Young were the Rangers who did most of the damage, combining for eight RBI.
The Rangers now await either the St. Louis Cardinals or the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 after beating the Brewers 7-1 on Friday night. The Cardinals and Brewers face off on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on TBS.
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After its disappointing finish in 2010, the Rangers will get its second shot at a World Series title with a 15-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Down 3-2 in the ALCS, the Detroit Tigers came out firing with home runs in the 1st and the 2nd inning. But Texas blew the game wide open with a nine-run third, paving the way for its second-straight AL pennant and trip to the World Series.
“That was huge, that’s our offense,” Rangers third-baseman Adrian Beltre said “They held us off the whole series with pretty good pitching but we figured out how to score runs against them.”
Eight different players scored in the blowout, posting 17 hits and RBIs from seven different players. The exclamation point came from the red hot Nelson Cruz, the right fielder came in to Saturday’s contest with five home runs in the post season, then blasted number six, a two run shot, off Brad Penny. Ian Kinsler and Michael Young were the Rangers who did most of the damage, combining for eight RBI.
The Rangers now await either the St. Louis Cardinals or the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 after beating the Brewers 7-1 on Friday night. The Cardinals and Brewers face off on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on TBS.
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About the only thing that St. Louis Cardinals future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols has yet to accomplish in his career is win a World Series MVP award. Well, “the Machine” is the Bodog favorite at 5/1 to take that honor in this year’s Fall Classic against the Texas Rangers, which begins tonight in St. Louis.
This is the fourth World Series in Pujols’ Cardinals career, which could end after this series as he will be a free agent and possibly too expensive for St. Louis to keep. The Cards lost Pujols’ first Fall Classic in 2004 to Boston and WS MVPs almost never come from losing teams. When the Cards beat the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series, David Eckstein was named the MVP.
But Pujols is raking entering this series. In the six-game NLCS win over Milwaukee, he hit.467 with six extra-base hits and nine RBIs. In one game he tied a postseason record with four extra base hits. Will the Rangers give Pujols anything to hit? He has walked six times, three intentionally, in 11 postseason games. The Texas Rangers walked Tigers star Miguel Cabrera seven times, twice intentionally, in the ALCS.
The second favorite for World Series MVP is Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz, who is even hotter than Pujols. In the six-game ALCS win over Detroit, Cruz became the first player in MLB history to hit six homers and 13 RBIs in a postseason series. He had eight hits in the ALCS, all of them extra-base hits.
The pitcher with the lowest odds to win World Series MVP honors is the Cardinals’ Game 1 starter, Chris Carpenter, at 12/1. His Game 1 counterpart, C.J. Wilson, is at 16/1. Only one starting pitcher in the past seven Fall Classics has won MVP: Philly’s Cole Hamels vs. Tampa Bay in 2008.
Thinking of betting on either team’s closer to win MVP honors? The Rangers’ Neftali Feliz and Cardinals' Jason Motte are both two of the longest-shots on the board at 25/1. A reliever hasn’t won MVP honors since the Yankees’ Mariano Rivera in 1999.
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This is the fourth World Series in Pujols’ Cardinals career, which could end after this series as he will be a free agent and possibly too expensive for St. Louis to keep. The Cards lost Pujols’ first Fall Classic in 2004 to Boston and WS MVPs almost never come from losing teams. When the Cards beat the Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series, David Eckstein was named the MVP.
But Pujols is raking entering this series. In the six-game NLCS win over Milwaukee, he hit.467 with six extra-base hits and nine RBIs. In one game he tied a postseason record with four extra base hits. Will the Rangers give Pujols anything to hit? He has walked six times, three intentionally, in 11 postseason games. The Texas Rangers walked Tigers star Miguel Cabrera seven times, twice intentionally, in the ALCS.
The second favorite for World Series MVP is Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz, who is even hotter than Pujols. In the six-game ALCS win over Detroit, Cruz became the first player in MLB history to hit six homers and 13 RBIs in a postseason series. He had eight hits in the ALCS, all of them extra-base hits.
The pitcher with the lowest odds to win World Series MVP honors is the Cardinals’ Game 1 starter, Chris Carpenter, at 12/1. His Game 1 counterpart, C.J. Wilson, is at 16/1. Only one starting pitcher in the past seven Fall Classics has won MVP: Philly’s Cole Hamels vs. Tampa Bay in 2008.
Thinking of betting on either team’s closer to win MVP honors? The Rangers’ Neftali Feliz and Cardinals' Jason Motte are both two of the longest-shots on the board at 25/1. A reliever hasn’t won MVP honors since the Yankees’ Mariano Rivera in 1999.
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Despite some reports of right elbow inflammation and soreness, St. Louis Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter will indeed pitch tonight’s Game 1 of the World Series against the visiting Texas Rangers. St. Louis is a -122 favorite and this will be live betting available at Bodog.
Carpenter has insisted he is fine but his postseason starts have been up and down. In Game 2 of the NLDS against Philadelphia, he lasted just three innings and allowed four runs and five hits in a game the Cardinals rallied to win. He bounced back with an epic Game 5 start against Phils ace and good friend Roy Halladay, with Carpenter throwing a complete-game three-hit shutout. And in his one NLCS start against the Brewers, he allowed three runs in five innings with the Cardinals winning 4-3 in Game 3. This will be Carpenter’s second career World Series start and first since hurling eight shutout innings in Game 3 of the 2006 Fall Classic.
The Rangers start their ace in C.J. Wilson, and he has been nothing short of terrible in the playoffs – it could cost him tens of millions of dollars because he is due to become a free agent. The lefty is 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA in 15 2/3 innings (three starts) in this postseason. He’s given up 14 earned runs on 21 hits, with six of those home runs. By comparison, Wilson allowed 16 home runs in 223 1/3 innings during the regular season.
Being as Texas and St. Louis haven’t played since 2004, neither pitcher has faced the opposition as currently constructed. By the way, it is expected to be quite cold tonight in St. Louis.
Texas manager Ron Washington has made a lineup change for Game 1. ALCS MVP Nelson Cruz will bat sixth in Game 1 – he had batted exclusively seventh in these playoffs. In the ALCS vs. Detroit, Cruz was the first player in MLB history to hit six homers and 13 RBIs in a postseason series. Mike Napoli will move down to seventh.
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Carpenter has insisted he is fine but his postseason starts have been up and down. In Game 2 of the NLDS against Philadelphia, he lasted just three innings and allowed four runs and five hits in a game the Cardinals rallied to win. He bounced back with an epic Game 5 start against Phils ace and good friend Roy Halladay, with Carpenter throwing a complete-game three-hit shutout. And in his one NLCS start against the Brewers, he allowed three runs in five innings with the Cardinals winning 4-3 in Game 3. This will be Carpenter’s second career World Series start and first since hurling eight shutout innings in Game 3 of the 2006 Fall Classic.
The Rangers start their ace in C.J. Wilson, and he has been nothing short of terrible in the playoffs – it could cost him tens of millions of dollars because he is due to become a free agent. The lefty is 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA in 15 2/3 innings (three starts) in this postseason. He’s given up 14 earned runs on 21 hits, with six of those home runs. By comparison, Wilson allowed 16 home runs in 223 1/3 innings during the regular season.
Being as Texas and St. Louis haven’t played since 2004, neither pitcher has faced the opposition as currently constructed. By the way, it is expected to be quite cold tonight in St. Louis.
Texas manager Ron Washington has made a lineup change for Game 1. ALCS MVP Nelson Cruz will bat sixth in Game 1 – he had batted exclusively seventh in these playoffs. In the ALCS vs. Detroit, Cruz was the first player in MLB history to hit six homers and 13 RBIs in a postseason series. Mike Napoli will move down to seventh.
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With the way both the St. Louis Cardinals’ and Texas Rangers’ pitching staffs had struggled in the NLCS and ALCS, respectively, it was expected that this year’s World Series between the two would be among the highest-scoring ever.
Yet following the Rangers’ 2-1 win in Game 2 on Thursday night to even the Fall Classic at a game apiece, there have been a total of eight runs scored so far. Texas scored more than that in one inning of its clinching ALCS win over Detroit! Texas scored 6.5 runs per game in the ALCS while St. Louis scored 7.2 runs per game in the NLCS.
The World Series shifts to Arlington on Saturday night for Game 3, where much warmer weather and a big-time hitter’s park should help heat up the bats. The Rangers are -200 favorites on Bodog’s MLB baseball odds.
Texas would seem to have a big advantage in this one because of St. Louis starting pitcher Kyle Lohse. He is 0-2 in this postseason with a 7.45 ERA. In fact, in eight career postseason appearances dating to 2002, Lohse is 0-4 with a 5.09 ERA. He has the second-most career regular-season starts (298) of any active pitcher without a playoff victory.
The Rangers counter with lefty Matt Harrison. He is 1-0 with a 4.22 ERA in two playoff starts and one relief appearance, and opponents are hitting .225 off him. He has walked six and struck out 12 in 10 2/3 innings.
In a weird coincidence, both Lohse and Harrison had nearly identical numbers in the regular season: Both had 14 wins and a 3.39 ERA, but Harrison had nine losses compared to Lohse’s eight. Lohse was 8-3 with a 3.13 ERA on the road during the season while Harrison was 8-5 with a 3.80 ERA at home.
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Yet following the Rangers’ 2-1 win in Game 2 on Thursday night to even the Fall Classic at a game apiece, there have been a total of eight runs scored so far. Texas scored more than that in one inning of its clinching ALCS win over Detroit! Texas scored 6.5 runs per game in the ALCS while St. Louis scored 7.2 runs per game in the NLCS.
The World Series shifts to Arlington on Saturday night for Game 3, where much warmer weather and a big-time hitter’s park should help heat up the bats. The Rangers are -200 favorites on Bodog’s MLB baseball odds.
Texas would seem to have a big advantage in this one because of St. Louis starting pitcher Kyle Lohse. He is 0-2 in this postseason with a 7.45 ERA. In fact, in eight career postseason appearances dating to 2002, Lohse is 0-4 with a 5.09 ERA. He has the second-most career regular-season starts (298) of any active pitcher without a playoff victory.
The Rangers counter with lefty Matt Harrison. He is 1-0 with a 4.22 ERA in two playoff starts and one relief appearance, and opponents are hitting .225 off him. He has walked six and struck out 12 in 10 2/3 innings.
In a weird coincidence, both Lohse and Harrison had nearly identical numbers in the regular season: Both had 14 wins and a 3.39 ERA, but Harrison had nine losses compared to Lohse’s eight. Lohse was 8-3 with a 3.13 ERA on the road during the season while Harrison was 8-5 with a 3.80 ERA at home.
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The media wanted answers from Albert Pujols, they got a historic one Saturday night.
Pujols hit three home runs versus the Texas Rangers, tying a World Series record and leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 16-7 blowout and 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven World Series. Babe Ruth and “Mr. October” Reggie Jackson are the only other players in MLB history to hit three homers in a World Series contest.
“It’s pretty special,” Pujols said of equaling Ruth and Jackson. “Those guys were great players. To do it on this stage is amazing. At the same time, I didn’t walk into the ballpark thinking I’d have a night like tonight.”
Pujols probably came into the ballpark thinking about the best way to shut his naysayers up. He was 0-6 in the series coming into Game 3 and was called out for avoiding the media after his ninth-inning error cost the Cardinals Game 2. He more than answered.
The Rangers are in trouble if Pujols keeps blazing in the World Series. The Rangers were considered favorites in this series because of its strong batting order from top to bottom. A blazing Pujols is capable of single-handedly improving the entire Cardinals roster.
“The guy just got locked in,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He’s a super player. There is no doubt about it. He certainly came to play tonight.”
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Pujols hit three home runs versus the Texas Rangers, tying a World Series record and leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 16-7 blowout and 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven World Series. Babe Ruth and “Mr. October” Reggie Jackson are the only other players in MLB history to hit three homers in a World Series contest.
“It’s pretty special,” Pujols said of equaling Ruth and Jackson. “Those guys were great players. To do it on this stage is amazing. At the same time, I didn’t walk into the ballpark thinking I’d have a night like tonight.”
Pujols probably came into the ballpark thinking about the best way to shut his naysayers up. He was 0-6 in the series coming into Game 3 and was called out for avoiding the media after his ninth-inning error cost the Cardinals Game 2. He more than answered.
The Rangers are in trouble if Pujols keeps blazing in the World Series. The Rangers were considered favorites in this series because of its strong batting order from top to bottom. A blazing Pujols is capable of single-handedly improving the entire Cardinals roster.
“The guy just got locked in,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He’s a super player. There is no doubt about it. He certainly came to play tonight.”
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It’s the final game of the season in Arlington for the Texas Rangers as they look to take a 3-2 series lead on the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the World Series tonight. But to do so, they are going to need the regular-season version of C.J. Wilson to show up. Texas is a -127 favorite on Bodog’s MLB baseball odds with live betting available.
Wilson is set to become a free agent after the season and perhaps has cost himself millions of dollars with a terrible postseason. The lefty is 0-3 with a 7.17 ERA in these playoffs. In Game 1 of this series he walked a career-high six and allowed three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. In five postseason starts, Wilson has yet to get past six innings and he made it through six just once. He's allowed 17 earned runs in 21 1/3 innings and has 13 walks to just 15 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals go with their ace in Chris Carpenter. He is 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA in the playoffs: The Cardinals have won Carpenter's last four starts. In Game 1 of the Fall Classic, a 3-2 St. Louis win, he went six innings before being lifted for pinch-hitter Allen Craig, who drove in the winning run. Carpenter allowed two runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out four. Carpenter has fared better on the road during the postseason with an ERA of 3.00, more than a point lower than his home ERA. Over two road starts, he's allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks and five strikeouts.
Which Cardinals offense shows up? The one that had 16 runs in Game 3 or the one that was blanked 4-0 last night? In addition, the Rangers scoring first in Game 4, ending the Cardinals’ streak of 10 straight games scoring first, one shy of the postseason record, set by the Tigers from 1972 to 1984. Cards star Albert Pujols, fresh off tying World Series records with three home runs and six RBI in Game 3, went hitless in four at-bats on Sunday, while David Freese saw his 13-game hitting streak end.
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Wilson is set to become a free agent after the season and perhaps has cost himself millions of dollars with a terrible postseason. The lefty is 0-3 with a 7.17 ERA in these playoffs. In Game 1 of this series he walked a career-high six and allowed three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. In five postseason starts, Wilson has yet to get past six innings and he made it through six just once. He's allowed 17 earned runs in 21 1/3 innings and has 13 walks to just 15 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals go with their ace in Chris Carpenter. He is 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA in the playoffs: The Cardinals have won Carpenter's last four starts. In Game 1 of the Fall Classic, a 3-2 St. Louis win, he went six innings before being lifted for pinch-hitter Allen Craig, who drove in the winning run. Carpenter allowed two runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out four. Carpenter has fared better on the road during the postseason with an ERA of 3.00, more than a point lower than his home ERA. Over two road starts, he's allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks and five strikeouts.
Which Cardinals offense shows up? The one that had 16 runs in Game 3 or the one that was blanked 4-0 last night? In addition, the Rangers scoring first in Game 4, ending the Cardinals’ streak of 10 straight games scoring first, one shy of the postseason record, set by the Tigers from 1972 to 1984. Cards star Albert Pujols, fresh off tying World Series records with three home runs and six RBI in Game 3, went hitless in four at-bats on Sunday, while David Freese saw his 13-game hitting streak end.
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It’s been quite a sports year in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, with the Mavericks winning their first NBA title, the Dallas area hosting its first Super Bowl and TCU going unbeaten and winning the Rose Bowl. The Texas Rangers can make it a quartet on Wednesday night as the take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 of the World Series as it returns to St. Louis.
However, behind Game 2 pitching star Jaime Garcia, the Cardinals are -120 favorites on Bodog’s MLB baseball odds, with live in-play betting available.
Texas took the series lead for the first time Monday thanks to Mike Napoli’s eighth-inning, two-run double that gave the Rangers a 4-2 victory. Napoli is a cinch to win World Series MVP honors should the Rangers win tonight or in a possible Game 7 Thursday. Game 5 was his fourth multi-RBI game of this Fall Classic. Only the Yankees’ Mickey Mantle in the 1960 World Series has done that before. Napoli is hitting .308 with two homers and nine RBIs vs. St. Louis. The rest of the Rangers have four homers and 10 RBIs.
The Rangers have to feel good about tonight behind righty Colby Lewis in a rematch with Garcia of Game 2. In that game, Lewis allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Rangers rallied to win 2-1. Lewis is 4-1 with a 2.22 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP (walks and hits per inning) in seven postseason starts, which are way better numbers than his regular-season totals. And Lewis was far better on the road this season than at home.
Garcia, meanwhile, shut out the Rangers for three hits in seven innings of Game 2 before closer Jason Motte blew a 1-0 lead in the ninth. The lefty is much better at Busch Stadium than on the road – he is 3-1 with a 1.87 ERA in his past six home starts.
There’s a chance this game could be affected by the weather as rain is in the forecast.
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However, behind Game 2 pitching star Jaime Garcia, the Cardinals are -120 favorites on Bodog’s MLB baseball odds, with live in-play betting available.
Texas took the series lead for the first time Monday thanks to Mike Napoli’s eighth-inning, two-run double that gave the Rangers a 4-2 victory. Napoli is a cinch to win World Series MVP honors should the Rangers win tonight or in a possible Game 7 Thursday. Game 5 was his fourth multi-RBI game of this Fall Classic. Only the Yankees’ Mickey Mantle in the 1960 World Series has done that before. Napoli is hitting .308 with two homers and nine RBIs vs. St. Louis. The rest of the Rangers have four homers and 10 RBIs.
The Rangers have to feel good about tonight behind righty Colby Lewis in a rematch with Garcia of Game 2. In that game, Lewis allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Rangers rallied to win 2-1. Lewis is 4-1 with a 2.22 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP (walks and hits per inning) in seven postseason starts, which are way better numbers than his regular-season totals. And Lewis was far better on the road this season than at home.
Garcia, meanwhile, shut out the Rangers for three hits in seven innings of Game 2 before closer Jason Motte blew a 1-0 lead in the ninth. The lefty is much better at Busch Stadium than on the road – he is 3-1 with a 1.87 ERA in his past six home starts.
There’s a chance this game could be affected by the weather as rain is in the forecast.
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We waited an extra day for Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, and it did not disappoint.
The St. Louis Cardinals made plenty of errors, but never gave up, continuously coming from behind to tie the Texas Rangers. David Freese, who hit a two-run triple that forced extra innings, was able to hit the walkoff homerun after over four hours of baseball in the bottom of the 11th for the 10-9 win.
The game was a classic, but had as many ugly moments as thrilling ones.
After Josh Hamilton broke his playoff slump by driving in Ian Kinsler in the top of the first, the Cardinals were able to take the lead in the bottom of the inning with a Lance Berkman, two-run blast.
Rangers shortstop Ian Kinsler was able to tie things up with a double in the second. The Rangers broke the tie with an RBI single from catcher Mike Napoli in the third, however he was aided by two Cardinals errors: Cardinals relief pitcher Fernando Salas went for the force at second, but his throw sailed into center field to put runners at first and second with one out. Nelson Cruz reached on a bloop pop into shallow left after some miscommunication between shortstop Rafael Furcal and left-fielder Matt Holliday who made a late attempt at the ball but dropped it.
However the Rangers returned the favor in the bottom of the fourth. One error got Berkman on base, and another to put him on third. Berkman would score on a Yadier Molina grounder.
The drama truly hit its apex in the bottom sixth. Though the Cardinals were able to walk in a run and tie the game at four, the Rangers regained momentum with back-to-back homeruns from Adrian Beltre and Cruz and an RBI single by Kinsler.
But again, the Cardinals rallied. Allen Craig made it a two-run game with a homerun in the eighth; then, with two outs and Rangers closer Nefatali Feliz on the mound, David Freese was able to triple and drive home Berkman and Albert Pujols to force extra innings and give Feliz his first blown save of the postseason.
In extra innings the back-and-fourth continued. In the top of the 10th Hamilton hit his first HR, a two-run shot, in over 80 at-bats to give the Rangers the 9-7 lead. However, in the bottom of the inning shortstop Ryan Theriot got the Cardinals within a run with an RBI single, then Berkman came through again with another hit to tie the game.
The Cardinals were finally able to hold off the Rangers in the 11th, leading to the fitting walkoff by Game 6 hero Freese.
Unfortunately, we doubt Game 7 will be anything close to as exciting as this.
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The St. Louis Cardinals made plenty of errors, but never gave up, continuously coming from behind to tie the Texas Rangers. David Freese, who hit a two-run triple that forced extra innings, was able to hit the walkoff homerun after over four hours of baseball in the bottom of the 11th for the 10-9 win.
The game was a classic, but had as many ugly moments as thrilling ones.
After Josh Hamilton broke his playoff slump by driving in Ian Kinsler in the top of the first, the Cardinals were able to take the lead in the bottom of the inning with a Lance Berkman, two-run blast.
Rangers shortstop Ian Kinsler was able to tie things up with a double in the second. The Rangers broke the tie with an RBI single from catcher Mike Napoli in the third, however he was aided by two Cardinals errors: Cardinals relief pitcher Fernando Salas went for the force at second, but his throw sailed into center field to put runners at first and second with one out. Nelson Cruz reached on a bloop pop into shallow left after some miscommunication between shortstop Rafael Furcal and left-fielder Matt Holliday who made a late attempt at the ball but dropped it.
However the Rangers returned the favor in the bottom of the fourth. One error got Berkman on base, and another to put him on third. Berkman would score on a Yadier Molina grounder.
The drama truly hit its apex in the bottom sixth. Though the Cardinals were able to walk in a run and tie the game at four, the Rangers regained momentum with back-to-back homeruns from Adrian Beltre and Cruz and an RBI single by Kinsler.
But again, the Cardinals rallied. Allen Craig made it a two-run game with a homerun in the eighth; then, with two outs and Rangers closer Nefatali Feliz on the mound, David Freese was able to triple and drive home Berkman and Albert Pujols to force extra innings and give Feliz his first blown save of the postseason.
In extra innings the back-and-fourth continued. In the top of the 10th Hamilton hit his first HR, a two-run shot, in over 80 at-bats to give the Rangers the 9-7 lead. However, in the bottom of the inning shortstop Ryan Theriot got the Cardinals within a run with an RBI single, then Berkman came through again with another hit to tie the game.
The Cardinals were finally able to hold off the Rangers in the 11th, leading to the fitting walkoff by Game 6 hero Freese.
Unfortunately, we doubt Game 7 will be anything close to as exciting as this.
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The game didn’t have anywhere near the excitement of the classic Game 6, but the St. Louis Cardinals still had momentum, beating the Texas Rangers 6-2 to capture their 11th World Series title.
It looked like another wild one after the first inning. The Rangers got on the scoreboard with two runs off of starter Chris Carpenter. However the Cardinals, just as they did all Game 6, quickly hit back with a double from David Freese to score Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman.
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***
From there Carpenter settled down, keeping the Cardinals off the scoreboard for the next five innings; making way for relievers Arthur Rhodes, Octavio Dotel, Lance Lynn and Jason Motte to hold the Rangers hitless the rest of the way.
The pop really came out of the Rangers’ bats in the 5th. With the Cardinals leading 3-2 Rangers reliever Scott Feldman walked Allen Craig, hit Pujols, intentionally walked Freese, then walked Yadier Molina to give up a run. C.J. Wilson then relieved Feldman, but hit Rafael Furcal to give the Cardinals another run and 5-2 lead. Texas never recovered. An RBI single by Molina in the 7th was just icing on the cake.
Freese was World Series MVP, an unsurprising choice. The third baseman has been red hot in October, winning the NLCS MVP before single-handedly putting the Cardinals in Game 7 with his clutch heroics on Thursday. Freese is just the sixth player to ever win both the NLCS and World Series MVP. And he’s a St. Louis native. We doubt he’ll ever be able to pay for a drink in the state of Missouri again.
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It looked like another wild one after the first inning. The Rangers got on the scoreboard with two runs off of starter Chris Carpenter. However the Cardinals, just as they did all Game 6, quickly hit back with a double from David Freese to score Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman.
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***
From there Carpenter settled down, keeping the Cardinals off the scoreboard for the next five innings; making way for relievers Arthur Rhodes, Octavio Dotel, Lance Lynn and Jason Motte to hold the Rangers hitless the rest of the way.
The pop really came out of the Rangers’ bats in the 5th. With the Cardinals leading 3-2 Rangers reliever Scott Feldman walked Allen Craig, hit Pujols, intentionally walked Freese, then walked Yadier Molina to give up a run. C.J. Wilson then relieved Feldman, but hit Rafael Furcal to give the Cardinals another run and 5-2 lead. Texas never recovered. An RBI single by Molina in the 7th was just icing on the cake.
Freese was World Series MVP, an unsurprising choice. The third baseman has been red hot in October, winning the NLCS MVP before single-handedly putting the Cardinals in Game 7 with his clutch heroics on Thursday. Freese is just the sixth player to ever win both the NLCS and World Series MVP. And he’s a St. Louis native. We doubt he’ll ever be able to pay for a drink in the state of Missouri again.
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Feel free to dive right into those New York Yankees odds to win the 2012 World Series (currently listed at 13/2 to win it all), one of the best pitchers in baseball is keeping his pinstripes.
CC Sabathia has decided against opting out of his current contract with the Yankees, "settling" for the original seven-year, $161 million contract he signed in 2008. The deal has an option to opt out four years in. Many baseball analyst thought he would opt out and shop for an even bigger contract in free agency, but Sabathia reiterated that “My goal the whole time was to be able to finish my career as a Yankee…I look forward to seeing everybody out at the ballpark next year.”
Sabathia also said on Twitter, "Yankee fans, I'll be here fighting for number 28 next year!"
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Betting Analysis: Obviously, this is great news for anyone betting on the Yankees to win it all in 2012. Sabathia is a former Cy Young winner and ALCS MVP, also was a key piece to the Yankees 2009 World Series team, and has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons. With him coming back to an always powerhouse roster the Yankees get back one of their few go-to pitchers on their rotation.
Unfortunately, it doesn't solve the rest of the Yankees pitching woes.
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CC Sabathia has decided against opting out of his current contract with the Yankees, "settling" for the original seven-year, $161 million contract he signed in 2008. The deal has an option to opt out four years in. Many baseball analyst thought he would opt out and shop for an even bigger contract in free agency, but Sabathia reiterated that “My goal the whole time was to be able to finish my career as a Yankee…I look forward to seeing everybody out at the ballpark next year.”
Sabathia also said on Twitter, "Yankee fans, I'll be here fighting for number 28 next year!"
***
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***
Betting Analysis: Obviously, this is great news for anyone betting on the Yankees to win it all in 2012. Sabathia is a former Cy Young winner and ALCS MVP, also was a key piece to the Yankees 2009 World Series team, and has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons. With him coming back to an always powerhouse roster the Yankees get back one of their few go-to pitchers on their rotation.
Unfortunately, it doesn't solve the rest of the Yankees pitching woes.
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One of the best World Series in recent memory is barely in the rear-view mirror, but already teams are making moves geared at 2012. The Atlanta Braves, whose collapse allowed the eventual world champion St. Louis Cardinals to even make the playoffs, have traded pitcher Derek Lowe to the Cleveland Indians.
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This is pretty much just a salary dump for Atlanta, which has plenty of young pitching to replace Lowe. The veteran right-hander has one year and $15 million left on his contract, and there are reports Atlanta will play $10 million of that. All the Braves got was a low level minor league pitcher from Cleveland.
Lowe went 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA in 2011. Braves general manager Frank Wren had said as soon as the season ended that Lowe would not have a spot in the Braves rotation in 2012, so had Lowe returned to the Braves he would have been pitching in relief. The Braves have tried to trade the overpriced Lowe for a few seasons.
The 38-year-old Lowe has pitched in both leagues, as a starter and closer. He is one of just three pitchers in history with more than 160 wins and 80 saves. Lowe, a sinkerballer, will join an Indians rotation with power pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez (acquired at the trade deadline from Colorado), Justin Masterson and Fausto Carmona.
The Indians finished last season a surprising second in the AL Central at 80-82. Cleveland has decided to let former All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore walk. The Tribe declined his $9 million option, making him a free agent. Injuries have sabotaged Sizemore's career, limiting him to just 210 games the past three seasons after a breakout 2008 campaign.
Cleveland opened at 50/1 on Bodog’s MLB futures odds to win the 2012 World Series: Bet now!
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This is pretty much just a salary dump for Atlanta, which has plenty of young pitching to replace Lowe. The veteran right-hander has one year and $15 million left on his contract, and there are reports Atlanta will play $10 million of that. All the Braves got was a low level minor league pitcher from Cleveland.
Lowe went 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA in 2011. Braves general manager Frank Wren had said as soon as the season ended that Lowe would not have a spot in the Braves rotation in 2012, so had Lowe returned to the Braves he would have been pitching in relief. The Braves have tried to trade the overpriced Lowe for a few seasons.
The 38-year-old Lowe has pitched in both leagues, as a starter and closer. He is one of just three pitchers in history with more than 160 wins and 80 saves. Lowe, a sinkerballer, will join an Indians rotation with power pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez (acquired at the trade deadline from Colorado), Justin Masterson and Fausto Carmona.
The Indians finished last season a surprising second in the AL Central at 80-82. Cleveland has decided to let former All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore walk. The Tribe declined his $9 million option, making him a free agent. Injuries have sabotaged Sizemore's career, limiting him to just 210 games the past three seasons after a breakout 2008 campaign.
Cleveland opened at 50/1 on Bodog’s MLB futures odds to win the 2012 World Series: Bet now!
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There’s another high-profile managerial job open in Major League Baseball as the Chicago Cubs have fired manager Mike Quade after just one season. That means three of the best jobs in baseball are open, with St. Louis and Boston also looking for managers.
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That Quade was dumped by new Cubs president Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer was no surprise whatsoever. The Cubs finished 71-91 in 2011, which was Quade's first full season as a big league manager after taking over for Lou Piniella late in the 2010 season. Quade's overall record is 95-104.
Epstein said the search begins immediately but part of his statement was this of any candidate: “He must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level."
Thus that would rule out former Cubs legendary second baseman and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. Cubs fans wanted former GM Jim Hendry to hire Sandberg instead of Quade last offseason, but Hendry declined to. Sandberg, who had worked his way up to managing the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate, wasn’t happy and left the franchise. Last season, he managed the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A team last season. But he has yet to coach or manage on the major league level. Epstein did officially notify Sandberg he wasn’t in the running.
A few names popping up early for the Cubs job are former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux (brother of another former Cubs legend, Greg Maddux) and Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum.
Now there are reports that the Cardinals have received permission from Philadelphia to interview Sandberg to replace the retired La Russa as their manager. Cubs fans would probably revolt if the hated Cardinals hired one of the Cubs’ best-ever players. You can get at Bodog on whom the next Cardinals manager might be.
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That Quade was dumped by new Cubs president Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer was no surprise whatsoever. The Cubs finished 71-91 in 2011, which was Quade's first full season as a big league manager after taking over for Lou Piniella late in the 2010 season. Quade's overall record is 95-104.
Epstein said the search begins immediately but part of his statement was this of any candidate: “He must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level."
Thus that would rule out former Cubs legendary second baseman and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. Cubs fans wanted former GM Jim Hendry to hire Sandberg instead of Quade last offseason, but Hendry declined to. Sandberg, who had worked his way up to managing the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate, wasn’t happy and left the franchise. Last season, he managed the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A team last season. But he has yet to coach or manage on the major league level. Epstein did officially notify Sandberg he wasn’t in the running.
A few names popping up early for the Cubs job are former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux (brother of another former Cubs legend, Greg Maddux) and Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum.
Now there are reports that the Cardinals have received permission from Philadelphia to interview Sandberg to replace the retired La Russa as their manager. Cubs fans would probably revolt if the hated Cardinals hired one of the Cubs’ best-ever players. You can get at Bodog on whom the next Cardinals manager might be.
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There finally could be a new bench boss for the Boston Red Sox.
Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston confirmed that Bobby Valentine will be named the new Red Sox manager. The 61-year-old has a 1117-1072 record (.510) over 15 years of managerial experience in the big leagues between the Rangers and Mets, but has been out of MLB since 2002.
Valentine takes over for Terry Francona who finally brought a World Series championship back to Boston, twice, and is known for an easy going coaching style.
Valentine on the other hand is known to be no nonsense, which has become an issue with some of the Boston players.
"They're going to have a mess on their hands," a source said when asked what would happen if Valentine, who at that time was just one of several candidates, was hired.
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney had heard similar rumblings, citing sources Wednesday saying that "some Red Sox players have been upset" that Valentine had emerged as a candidate and have been "grumbling to each other, through texts and phone calls."
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Betting Analysis: We understand the need to get a little stricter in the locker room considering players were drinking, watching porn and doing naked pushups in Francona's run. However, the transition may be a rocky one if Valentine takes the fun out of the Red Sox.
Valentine takes over a talented team, however, as proven last season, the Red Sox are capable of playing some lethargic baseball.
Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston confirmed that Bobby Valentine will be named the new Red Sox manager. The 61-year-old has a 1117-1072 record (.510) over 15 years of managerial experience in the big leagues between the Rangers and Mets, but has been out of MLB since 2002.
Valentine takes over for Terry Francona who finally brought a World Series championship back to Boston, twice, and is known for an easy going coaching style.
Valentine on the other hand is known to be no nonsense, which has become an issue with some of the Boston players.
"They're going to have a mess on their hands," a source said when asked what would happen if Valentine, who at that time was just one of several candidates, was hired.
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney had heard similar rumblings, citing sources Wednesday saying that "some Red Sox players have been upset" that Valentine had emerged as a candidate and have been "grumbling to each other, through texts and phone calls."
***
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***
Betting Analysis: We understand the need to get a little stricter in the locker room considering players were drinking, watching porn and doing naked pushups in Francona's run. However, the transition may be a rocky one if Valentine takes the fun out of the Red Sox.
Valentine takes over a talented team, however, as proven last season, the Red Sox are capable of playing some lethargic baseball.
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For those that didn't get the memo, the Florida Marlins are the Miami Marlins, but that's not the only move they made.
Today the Marlins made a monster signing, New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is bringing his talents to South Beach for six years and $106 million.
The 28-year-old Reyes batted .337/.384/.493 for the Mets in 2011 and should be elite again at the top of Miami's lineup in 2012. Reyes joins reliever Heath Bell and recently-traded manager Ozzie Guillen to a new-look team.
The Marlins have been in pursuit of St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols and Milwaukee Brewer Prince Fielder, no telling whether they'll dip into their cap to make a run at those two now (or if they can even afford it).
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Betting Analysis: The Marlins ain't messing around. It's almost difficult to keep track of what deal they're actually involved in because they've made a run at anyone wanting $10 million-plus. For them to get their money's worth out of Reyes the star shortstop has to stay healthy. By the way Hanley Ramirez isn't going anywhere, he'll be moving to third base.
Could this be a remix of the 1997 season, where they bought a World Series roster then scrapped it at the end of the season? Who knows? And for bettors, who cares. All that matters is the Marlins may be worth a look in MLB futures, get 'em while they're heating up.
Today the Marlins made a monster signing, New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is bringing his talents to South Beach for six years and $106 million.
The 28-year-old Reyes batted .337/.384/.493 for the Mets in 2011 and should be elite again at the top of Miami's lineup in 2012. Reyes joins reliever Heath Bell and recently-traded manager Ozzie Guillen to a new-look team.
The Marlins have been in pursuit of St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols and Milwaukee Brewer Prince Fielder, no telling whether they'll dip into their cap to make a run at those two now (or if they can even afford it).
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***
Betting Analysis: The Marlins ain't messing around. It's almost difficult to keep track of what deal they're actually involved in because they've made a run at anyone wanting $10 million-plus. For them to get their money's worth out of Reyes the star shortstop has to stay healthy. By the way Hanley Ramirez isn't going anywhere, he'll be moving to third base.
Could this be a remix of the 1997 season, where they bought a World Series roster then scrapped it at the end of the season? Who knows? And for bettors, who cares. All that matters is the Marlins may be worth a look in MLB futures, get 'em while they're heating up.
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With baseball’s winter meetings underway in Dallas, it appears that three teams have emerged as the likely winners of the Albert Pujols sweepstakes: the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins, with the latter possibly being the new leader.
Of course Pujols has spent his entire Hall of Fame career in St. Louis and reportedly already has turned down a nine-year, $200 million deal. Pujols wants to be the highest-paid player in baseball, which means at least $28 million a season to surpass the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez. Most believe Pujols will return to St. Louis, but the Cardinals probably can’t pay the most.
The Marlins have been the story of this offseason, spending more than $130 million so far on former Padres closer Heath Bell and Mets shortstop Jose Reyes. The Marlins are looking to make a giant splash as they move into a new stadium, and Pujols is their final target. Reports are Tuesday that Miami offered Pujols a 10-year contract – up from a previous nine-year-deal – with financial details not revealed. The Marlins are believed able to support a $100 million payroll next season (which is more than their Opening Day payroll the past three seasons combined) placing them in roughly the same neighborhood as the Cardinals, who have budgeted about $110 million for theirs.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs and new team boss Theo Epstein met Monday night with the agent for Pujols and it was confirmed early Tuesday morning that they submitted a bid for the three-time National League MVP. The Cubs definitely need a first baseman and would love to drive a dagger into the hearts of the Cardinals, their arch-rivals. But the younger Prince Fielder (Brewers) seems to make more sense for Epstein, who always talks about paying for “future performance” instead of “past performance.”
Fielder, 27, had a better season last year, hitting .298 with 38 homers, 120 RBIs and an OBP of .415. Pujols obviously has proven his worth over the longer term and is a better fielder and baserunner than Fielder. However, Pujols will be 32 in January and slipped to a .299 average with 37 homers, 99 RBIs and a .366 OBP last season.
Of course Pujols has spent his entire Hall of Fame career in St. Louis and reportedly already has turned down a nine-year, $200 million deal. Pujols wants to be the highest-paid player in baseball, which means at least $28 million a season to surpass the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez. Most believe Pujols will return to St. Louis, but the Cardinals probably can’t pay the most.
The Marlins have been the story of this offseason, spending more than $130 million so far on former Padres closer Heath Bell and Mets shortstop Jose Reyes. The Marlins are looking to make a giant splash as they move into a new stadium, and Pujols is their final target. Reports are Tuesday that Miami offered Pujols a 10-year contract – up from a previous nine-year-deal – with financial details not revealed. The Marlins are believed able to support a $100 million payroll next season (which is more than their Opening Day payroll the past three seasons combined) placing them in roughly the same neighborhood as the Cardinals, who have budgeted about $110 million for theirs.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs and new team boss Theo Epstein met Monday night with the agent for Pujols and it was confirmed early Tuesday morning that they submitted a bid for the three-time National League MVP. The Cubs definitely need a first baseman and would love to drive a dagger into the hearts of the Cardinals, their arch-rivals. But the younger Prince Fielder (Brewers) seems to make more sense for Epstein, who always talks about paying for “future performance” instead of “past performance.”
Fielder, 27, had a better season last year, hitting .298 with 38 homers, 120 RBIs and an OBP of .415. Pujols obviously has proven his worth over the longer term and is a better fielder and baserunner than Fielder. However, Pujols will be 32 in January and slipped to a .299 average with 37 homers, 99 RBIs and a .366 OBP last season.
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The $331 million that Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno spent on free agent slugger Albert Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson has vaulted the Angels to 7/1 to win the 2012 World Series on Bodog’s MLB baseball futures, which is tied with the New York Yankees as the shortest odds behind Philadelphia (5/1).
After winning the AL West three years in a row and five of six years, the Halos have finished 10 games behind the Texas Rangers the past two seasons to miss the playoffs. Moreno, who has long been critical of big-market teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies spending so much money, clearly had enough.
Pujols, the future Hall of Famer, got a 10-year, $254 million deal, while Wilson got a five-year $77.5 million deal. The Halos offered Pujols around $30 million more than St. Louis did, so you can see why he would leave the Cardinals (although the Marlins reportedly offered $275 million over 10 years). Pujols will be 42 by the time this contract ends. His offensive numbers have been in decline for three seasons, but the three-time NL MVP is a lifetime .328 hitter with 445 career home runs. Pujols' contract is the second richest of all-time, includes a full no-trade clause and is actually a 20-year commitment, one that will have him serve 10 years in the organization as a consultant to Moreno after he finishes playing.
Wilson’s signing weakens the Rangers and the lefty took less money than the Marlins were offering because he is from southern California. L.A. now has a rotation foursome of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Wilson and Ervin Santana that is probably the best in baseball: that group was a combined 61-37 with a 2.97 ERA and 3.29 K/BB ratio (774 K/235 B😎 last year. However, Wilson was knocked around in the 2011 playoffs even though the Rangers won the American League for the second year in a row. He was 31-15 combined the past two seasons for Texas. The Rangers are down to 16/1 to win the 2012 World Series, but they are still likely to make a big move to combat the Angels.
After winning the AL West three years in a row and five of six years, the Halos have finished 10 games behind the Texas Rangers the past two seasons to miss the playoffs. Moreno, who has long been critical of big-market teams like the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies spending so much money, clearly had enough.
Pujols, the future Hall of Famer, got a 10-year, $254 million deal, while Wilson got a five-year $77.5 million deal. The Halos offered Pujols around $30 million more than St. Louis did, so you can see why he would leave the Cardinals (although the Marlins reportedly offered $275 million over 10 years). Pujols will be 42 by the time this contract ends. His offensive numbers have been in decline for three seasons, but the three-time NL MVP is a lifetime .328 hitter with 445 career home runs. Pujols' contract is the second richest of all-time, includes a full no-trade clause and is actually a 20-year commitment, one that will have him serve 10 years in the organization as a consultant to Moreno after he finishes playing.
Wilson’s signing weakens the Rangers and the lefty took less money than the Marlins were offering because he is from southern California. L.A. now has a rotation foursome of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, Wilson and Ervin Santana that is probably the best in baseball: that group was a combined 61-37 with a 2.97 ERA and 3.29 K/BB ratio (774 K/235 B😎 last year. However, Wilson was knocked around in the 2011 playoffs even though the Rangers won the American League for the second year in a row. He was 31-15 combined the past two seasons for Texas. The Rangers are down to 16/1 to win the 2012 World Series, but they are still likely to make a big move to combat the Angels.
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St. Louis pulled even thanks to an explosion from Albert Pujols in a 12-3 victory on Monday in Milwaukee. Pujols had arguably the best postseason game of his Hall of Fame career, going 4-for-5 with a homer, three doubles and five RBIs. He became only the fourth player in MLB history with four postseason hits in one game and first since 2004. Pujols moved into the Top 10 all-time in doubles, extra-base hits and RBI in postseason history. His 14th career playoff homer moved him up one spot to eighth.
Carpenter, meanwhile, was brilliant in the clinching Game 5 of the NLDS against the Phillies in outdueling Roy Halladay. Carpenter produced a three-hit shutout and is now 6-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 11 career postseason starts. He was 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in four regular-season starts vs. Milwaukee.
The Brewers go with their ace, Yovani Gallardo. He also pitched the clinching Game 5 of the NLDS against Arizona, holding Arizona to one run in six innings. In four postseason appearances, three of them starts, Gallardo has compiled an ERA of 0.86. That includes a 1.29 ERA in this year’s NLDS. In his last three regular-season starts, over 20 1/3 innings, Gallardo struck out 36 while giving up only 12 hits. He faced the Cards four times in the regular season as well, going 1-3 with a 5.70 ERA.