Toronto Blue Jays +150
Toronto / Boston Under 8 -105 (Unit and a half play)
I know going against Pedro and the vaunted Red Sox at friendly Fenway won’t be a popular pick but all this hinges on one player and one theory.
Forget Nomah…forget Nixon. The key to the Red Sox offense is their table setter Johnny Damon. Of the 23 runs the Red Sox have pushed across the plate in their five games Johnny Damon has accounted for nearly a third of them, (3 runs / 4 rbi). Without him (and Nomah /Nixon) this offense is very ordinary. Damon’s leadoff ability and speed at the top cannot be replaced. Without him and this team will struggle, especially when facing the Cy Young award winner of 2003.
In addition losing a offensive weapon, although defensive liability, at second in Todd Walker has also contributed to the implosion of a lineup that was being compared to the Murder’s row just a few months ago. Instead the Sox have shored up that suspect infield with Mark Bellhorn, (.967 lifetime fielding pct. but a .228 avg.) and Pokey Reese, (.979 fielding pct. / .251 lifetime avg.).
So with Damon out for the weekend you have Gabe Kapler taking the center field spot? Ellis Burks? I’m sorry this lineup just doesn’t strike fear in anyone’s heart. Especially when they face a arm like Roy Halladay’s.
Although both Halladay and Martinez were less than perfect in their first starts they both showed great movement on the ball and both can be excused as simply a bad opening night.
Joe Brinkman will be behind the plate and his strike zone becomes more liberal in direct correlation to the pitcher’s ability to command it. Last year he was 16-17 overall in the O/U department but when the total was listed at 8 or less Brinkman’s games went under the listed number 9 of 10 times.
Cleveland Indians +101
C.C. Sabathia is a stud. This guy did everything but pitch a complete game shutout in his first start at Minnesota on Monday. He went seven shut out innings on 104 pitches while only allowing six runners, (2 hits, 4 bb). He was in mid season form. Not only in control and movement but in composure and endurance. Watching this guy it’s hard to believe he is not yet 23 years old. The only time his age is noticeable is when he lets his emotions get away from him. I watched that entire game on Monday and whenever he made a bad pitch you could clearly see him step off, take a deep breath, regain his purpose and absolutely over power the hitter. This will be one pitcher that I’ll be on the entire year until he shows me a reason why I shouldn’t. Playing on a team like the Indians, and their reputation, will only give his backers value as evidenced by this matchup with ex-teammate and lefty Brian Anderson.
I have the feeling that the bullpen will not have the opportunity to blow a game for him this time around. This could be the first complete game of the season and shut out.
( I goofed...Sabathia is 23. )
MLB to date……4-3.… +3.57
[This message was edited by VegasVic on April 10, 2004 at 10:45 AM.]
[This message was edited by VegasVic on April 10, 2004 at 11:32 AM.]
Toronto / Boston Under 8 -105 (Unit and a half play)
I know going against Pedro and the vaunted Red Sox at friendly Fenway won’t be a popular pick but all this hinges on one player and one theory.
Forget Nomah…forget Nixon. The key to the Red Sox offense is their table setter Johnny Damon. Of the 23 runs the Red Sox have pushed across the plate in their five games Johnny Damon has accounted for nearly a third of them, (3 runs / 4 rbi). Without him (and Nomah /Nixon) this offense is very ordinary. Damon’s leadoff ability and speed at the top cannot be replaced. Without him and this team will struggle, especially when facing the Cy Young award winner of 2003.
In addition losing a offensive weapon, although defensive liability, at second in Todd Walker has also contributed to the implosion of a lineup that was being compared to the Murder’s row just a few months ago. Instead the Sox have shored up that suspect infield with Mark Bellhorn, (.967 lifetime fielding pct. but a .228 avg.) and Pokey Reese, (.979 fielding pct. / .251 lifetime avg.).
So with Damon out for the weekend you have Gabe Kapler taking the center field spot? Ellis Burks? I’m sorry this lineup just doesn’t strike fear in anyone’s heart. Especially when they face a arm like Roy Halladay’s.
Although both Halladay and Martinez were less than perfect in their first starts they both showed great movement on the ball and both can be excused as simply a bad opening night.
Joe Brinkman will be behind the plate and his strike zone becomes more liberal in direct correlation to the pitcher’s ability to command it. Last year he was 16-17 overall in the O/U department but when the total was listed at 8 or less Brinkman’s games went under the listed number 9 of 10 times.
Cleveland Indians +101
C.C. Sabathia is a stud. This guy did everything but pitch a complete game shutout in his first start at Minnesota on Monday. He went seven shut out innings on 104 pitches while only allowing six runners, (2 hits, 4 bb). He was in mid season form. Not only in control and movement but in composure and endurance. Watching this guy it’s hard to believe he is not yet 23 years old. The only time his age is noticeable is when he lets his emotions get away from him. I watched that entire game on Monday and whenever he made a bad pitch you could clearly see him step off, take a deep breath, regain his purpose and absolutely over power the hitter. This will be one pitcher that I’ll be on the entire year until he shows me a reason why I shouldn’t. Playing on a team like the Indians, and their reputation, will only give his backers value as evidenced by this matchup with ex-teammate and lefty Brian Anderson.
I have the feeling that the bullpen will not have the opportunity to blow a game for him this time around. This could be the first complete game of the season and shut out.
( I goofed...Sabathia is 23. )
MLB to date……4-3.… +3.57
[This message was edited by VegasVic on April 10, 2004 at 10:45 AM.]
[This message was edited by VegasVic on April 10, 2004 at 11:32 AM.]
