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The 2005 Major League Baseball season is almost here and here at Players Advantage, we expect a strong season packed with winning selections! As we do every season, we look for teams that are on the rise or at least improved beyond the odds makers' eyes and release futures plays on the season win totals. This year we have selected three teams that were all very active this off-season and we expect these teams to perform well with regards to the posted win totals. Lines are courtesy of Bodog Sportsbook.
Arizona Diamondbacks OVER 74.5 Wins
After posting only 51 victories last season, it was certainly expected that the Diamondbacks were going to make some changes. Arizona made major headlines when Randy Johnson was sent to the Yankees. On the surface, that is a major blow to a pitching staff that struggled in 2004. However, stepping into the desert this year are some solid veterans with plenty to prove! The key components of the D'Backs pitching staff are RHP Javier Vasquez, RHP Russ Ortiz, and RHP Brandon Webb. The D'Backs also will start this season with a revamped outfield as well. LF Luis Gonzalez battled through injuries last season but he will have plenty of help this season as Arizona acquired RF Shawn Green and CF Jose Cruz. The void in the lineup with the departure of Richie Sexson will be an easy one to fill as Sexson played in only 23 games last season. The D'Backs certainly won't have a lack of power this year as 3B Troy Glaus was added to play the hot corner for Arizona. The D'Backs also locked up a solid middle infield by bringing back fan favorite Counsell and veteran SS Royce Clayton. Alex Cintron is also a strong middle-infielder that can certainly step in as well. Only a few years removed from a Championship, we expect this group of veterans in Arizona to play much more competitive baseball for new Manager Bob Melvin. Play Arizona to go OVER the win total of 74.5.
St. Louis Cardinals OVER 92.5 Wins
The Cardinals 2004 season was hampered by a dismal showing in the World Series. Nonetheless, they won 105 games last season and we see no reason the Cards won't be flying high once again in 2005. SS Renteria is gone to Boston, but he is replaced by David Eckstein, who is a solid defensive player and will serve as the Cardinals leadoff hitter. The Cards successful campaign in 2005 was largely due to a solid starting rotation. Oft-injured RHP Woody Williams has moved on to San Diego, but he is replaced by perennial Cy Young candidate LHP Mark Mulder. Mulder has a career ERA of less than 4 runs per game (exceptional for the AL) and he will have a lineup behind him that is among the best in baseball. The Cardinals still have RHP's Carpenter, Morris, Marquis, and Suppan to form a solid rotation. The Cards also possess once of the deepest bullpens in the league anchored by a healthy Isringhausen in 2005.It goes without saying that 1B Pujols is one of the best hitters in baseball and 3B Rolen is coming off a very strong 2004 season as well. The Cards will also have RF Larry Walker from the start of the season this time around and CF Edmonds remains a solid 5-tool player in center. While the NL Central should be a tighter race this season, the Cards definitely have a strong enough team to flirt with 100 wins once again. Play St. Louis to go OVER the win total of 92.5.
Florida Marlins OVER 87 Wins
The Marlins had a strong off-season to say the least by bringing in 1B Carlos Delgado and LHP Al Leiter. The Marlins remaining lineup from last season remains intact and if it is a healthier 2005 for their pitching staff, the Marlins could very well be in store for October baseball once again! Florida's acquisition of C Lo Duca and closer Mota last season was an absolute steal and we expect Delgado to have a strong season in 2005.
Delgado got off to a horrible start last year, but was back to his usual self by the end of the season and the change of scenery is certainly a welcomed move for him. The Marlins lineup is solid 1-8 (9 when Willis is on the hill!) and we expect a ton of run support for their staff in 2005. Considering they have a rotation with Beckett, Burnett, Willis and Leiter as their big 4, the Marlins are a very strong team from top to bottom! The
key for the Marlins, as it is with most teams, will be staying healthy in their rotation and we expect that to be the case and an improvement of only 4 games from last season's 83 wins is certainly attainable. Play Florida to go OVER the win total of 87.
Best of luck from Players Advantage!
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