MLB : Who To Watch And Avoid During Stretch Run
Who To Watch And Avoid During Stretch Run
The 2012 MLB online sportsbook season has had many storylines to talk about. From the resurgent Chicago White Sox, to the fall of the Philadelphia Phillies, it feels as though there has been a shift in power throughout the league. The MLB is no longer your father’s baseball league, in which you could predict the playoff contenders by the end of May. With the addition of the second wild card spot, many players have seen their stock increase, while others have fallen off the charts. Here is a look at a few players turning heads and others making us cover our eyes.
Albert Pujols and Adam LaRoche are two first baseman who were snubbed of All Star bids for different reasons. Pujols, a career 30 + HR and 110+RBI man got off to a horrific start with his new team the LA Angels, as he didn’t hit his first home run until the middle of May. Due to these struggles, Pujols was passed over in All Star voting. On the other hand, Adam LaRoche a career journeyman is having a season to remember, as he has been a catalyst for the surprising Washington Nationals. However, for the reason that LaRoche is having the best season of his MLB sports betting online career, he too was passed over for an All Star selection.
After being snubbed of an All Star bid in his hometown of Kansas City, MO, Albert Pujols has appeared as a man possessed. Since the All Star break, Pujols leads the league in home runs, batting average and on base percentage. Despite the Angels currently sitting in third in the American League West, and a half game out of the second wild card spot, they can no longer blame Pujols for his wretched start. Instead, Angels fans who wanted to find a way to trade Pujols after his bad start, are now hoping the future hall of famer can help guide their online bookie team into the playoffs. If Pujols continues to play up to his potential, his 10 year $250 million deal, will look like a steal when he turns 42 by the end of it.
While Pujols and Adam LaRoche are two players we’ll be watching as they help their teams to the playoffs, there are a couple of players we will avoid focusing on. Both mid season acquisitions of the Texas Rangers, Roy Oswalt and Ryan Dempster have been atrocious this season. Oswalt attempted to pawn off his services as a mercenary for hire, as he didn’t join Texas until the middle of June. As a starting pitcher, Oswalt indicated to everyone, that his best days are behind him, as he struggled under the spotlight. Oswalt’s me before the team attitude may find him released, as he reportedly refused to be the Rangers long man out of the bullpen after struggling as a starter.
Conversely, Ryan Dempster has struggled all season long, whether it is for his old team the Chicago Cubs or current team the Texas Rangers. Part of the reason Dempster’s services were required in Texas, was due to the aforementioned Oswalt’s struggles as a starter. After it was revealed that the Yankees and Dodgers didn’t want Dempster due to a clause in his contract, the Rangers took him. Texas had just lost Colby Lewis and Neftali Feliz for the season, and they had failed to land Zach Greinke who went to the LA Angels. As a result, the Rangers hoped to give themselves the best odds at another World Series appearance, by landing an uninterested Dempster. Unfortunately, adding Dempster with the selfish Oswalt, could cause the Rangers to crash down the stretch and miss the playoffs.
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