MLB Sun, Jul 17, 2005
Books dogging Marlins` hot rookie
Andrew Folkes
Florida Marlins hurler Jason Vargas could be a big name in the majors some day, but for now, the books aren’t showing him much respect.
The 22-year-old southpaw makes his first MLB start in Arizona today and oddsmakers have him and his fellow Fish as +104 underdogs. The total is set at 10 1/2.
“[We’`re looking] at him like he’s the fifth pitcher in the rotation,” says betWWTS.com lineman Michael Pierce. ”The total [is also] a little higher that it would usually be.”
The public tends to fade pitchers who are making their first major league start and will usually bet the over, says Pierce. But this is no ordinary rookie we’re talking about here.
"Jason has been outstanding this year," Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest told MLB.com. "He`s been great. ... He`s done nothing to disappoint us. He`s been outstanding."
Vargas began the season in Greensboro, N.C., the Marlins` Low Class-A affiliate. He went 4-1 with a 0.80 ERA in five starts for the Grasshoppers allowing just 16 hits and three earned runs in 33 2/3 innings. That effort saw him promoted to High-A Jupiter by early May where he posted a 3.42 ERA through nine starts.
From there he was fast tracked to Double-A Carolina where he continued to mow down opposing lineups. The lefty managed 25 strikeouts in just 19 innings and sported a 2.84 ERA when he was called up to the bigs last week.
"It`s been crazy," Vargas told MLB.com. "It`s been a wild year. Nothing I expected. The Marlins told me it could happen. They believed in me. I went out and showed them what I can do and I made it up here."
Although tonight`s game marks his first start, Vargas got a little taste of the big leagues in Florida’s 13-7 loss to Philadelphia Thursday. He held the Phillies scoreless in the seventh inning, conceding one hit and one walk while punching out catcher Mike Lieberthal.
A single inning pitched doesn’t make for much of a major league resume, but that could actually be a benefit for Vargas.
“A lot of times, a pitcher will do well his first time out,” explains Pierce. “[Opposing hitters] haven’t had a chance to pick up on his style or tendencies. He’ll probably get shelled in his next start, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a good game [today
Books dogging Marlins` hot rookie
Andrew Folkes
Florida Marlins hurler Jason Vargas could be a big name in the majors some day, but for now, the books aren’t showing him much respect.
The 22-year-old southpaw makes his first MLB start in Arizona today and oddsmakers have him and his fellow Fish as +104 underdogs. The total is set at 10 1/2.
“[We’`re looking] at him like he’s the fifth pitcher in the rotation,” says betWWTS.com lineman Michael Pierce. ”The total [is also] a little higher that it would usually be.”
The public tends to fade pitchers who are making their first major league start and will usually bet the over, says Pierce. But this is no ordinary rookie we’re talking about here.
"Jason has been outstanding this year," Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest told MLB.com. "He`s been great. ... He`s done nothing to disappoint us. He`s been outstanding."
Vargas began the season in Greensboro, N.C., the Marlins` Low Class-A affiliate. He went 4-1 with a 0.80 ERA in five starts for the Grasshoppers allowing just 16 hits and three earned runs in 33 2/3 innings. That effort saw him promoted to High-A Jupiter by early May where he posted a 3.42 ERA through nine starts.
From there he was fast tracked to Double-A Carolina where he continued to mow down opposing lineups. The lefty managed 25 strikeouts in just 19 innings and sported a 2.84 ERA when he was called up to the bigs last week.
"It`s been crazy," Vargas told MLB.com. "It`s been a wild year. Nothing I expected. The Marlins told me it could happen. They believed in me. I went out and showed them what I can do and I made it up here."
Although tonight`s game marks his first start, Vargas got a little taste of the big leagues in Florida’s 13-7 loss to Philadelphia Thursday. He held the Phillies scoreless in the seventh inning, conceding one hit and one walk while punching out catcher Mike Lieberthal.
A single inning pitched doesn’t make for much of a major league resume, but that could actually be a benefit for Vargas.
“A lot of times, a pitcher will do well his first time out,” explains Pierce. “[Opposing hitters] haven’t had a chance to pick up on his style or tendencies. He’ll probably get shelled in his next start, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a good game [today
