So the Boston Red Sox sat on the sidelines this year as the New York Yankees won the World Series and as good rivals do, they push each other to get better. The Yankees and Red Sox are the two biggest spenders in baseball and they are already starting to divide up this year’s prized free agents.
Roy Halladay isn’t a free agent but right now, all signs point to him landing in either Boston or New York. Both teams already have a decent amount of pitching but both are getting into the mix because neither wants to let the other one win.
Meanwhile, Matt Holliday is the prized free agent right now and he’s more likely to land in Boston because they appear to be letting Jason Bay walk in free agency. But don’t count out the Yankees in this situation as well as they may need an outfielder as well since they could let Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui go as free agents.
Clearly, it is going to be a contentious free agency period and you can expect both teams to only get better.
The Red Sox have seen the Yankees win it all and it is fueling them to make another run for the World Series in the coming year. Some may say the rich are going to get richer but the reality is that both teams are just doing everything possible to win.
Making baseball picks could be a handful in Houston on Wednesday, when the Astros host division-leading St. Louis in the finale of a three-game series between these National League Central rivals. The best should be saved for last, as a pair of veteran aces will take the hill.
Cardinals Astros odds – Wednesday, July 22, 8:05 PM ET
34-year-old Chris Carpenter (8-3, 2.26) pitched eight scoreless innings in a 6-1 win over Arizona for his third straight victory, and he’s looking to cap a spectacular July as he’s 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA so far this month. Carpenter is 5-3 in 11 starts against the Astros, including four complete games, and he’s posted a very solid 2.93 ERA against them. Being on the road doesn’t bother him, as Carpenter is 4-2 in nine starts away from home with a 2.50 ERA.
31-year-old Roy Oswalt (6-4, 3.65) tossed his NL-leading third complete game in an 8-1 rout in Los Angeles, allowing just four hits while striking out five. One of his worst losses of the season came at St. Louis in his second 2009 start, when Oswalt was tagged for six runs on nine hits in six innings of an 11-2 loss. This dropped his record against the Cardinals to 9-7 in 26 games (25 starts), and raised his ERA to 3.11.
MLB lines should favor the Astros at home, and when you’re making baseball picks, don’t forget the posted total. With Oswalt and Carpenter on the mound, the under is looking like a pretty solid bet. All it will take is one mistake by either pitcher. Oswalt gets the nod at home.
Baseball picks: Houston AstrosThe National League has won an All-Star Game in 13 years, believe it or not. Sounds surprising? While this is the longest winning streak in MLB history, the reality is that both leagues seem to rip off these types of streaks regularly.
The last time the All-Star Game was played in St. Louis – all the way back in 1966 – the National League entered on a completely different note. The National League had won 19 of the last 20 meetings and was cruising.
Nowadays, the National League is looking for some confidence and looking for a win.
The good news for them is that they have the better pitching in this matchup. While the AL has guys like Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander, Halladay has struggled recently, which could give the NL an early lead.
Meanwhile, the NL has studs like Tim Lincecum, Chad Billingsley, Dan Haren, Josh Johnson and Johan Santana. That’s quite the lineup of pitchers.
Also, the fact that the game is being played in an NL park should help.
The NL has the better roster all the way around this year and they desperately need this win. They are 0-11-1 in their last 12 All-Star games but with a potential matchup against the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees looming, you can rest assured that the NL will be focused to win tonight.
C.C. Sabathia is very familiar with Minnesota, having spent eight seasons with their AL Central rivals from Cleveland. Sabathia makes his return to the Metrodome on Tuesday, when the hot New York Yankees take on the Twins in the first of a three-game set.
New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins: Tuesday, July 7, 8:10 PM ET
Sabathia (7-5, 3.85) is 12-8 in 27 career starts against the Twins with a 3.12 ERA, and this includes four complete games. He gave up six runs in his last outing against Seattle, and he’s been shaky at home with a 2-2 record in eight starts and a 4.55 ERA.
Scott Baker (6-6, 4.99) got off to a terrible start, but he tore up June with a 4-0 mark and a 3.20 ERA. He’s also won both of his starts against the Yankees in his career with a sterling 1.50 ERA.
The Twins should be favored at home, where they are 26-16, including a pair of wins over Detroit last weekend. The Yankees are the hottest team in baseball, having won nine of their last 10 ahead of their series finale with Toronto on Monday, and before their 10-game homestand, the Yankees had won five straight away from home. Sabathia likes getting up for big meetings, and he’d love to get another win over the Twins. This should be a low-scoring affair as Baker is pitching like the guy who went 11-4 in 2008. This will be a close one, but the Yankees have enough offense to pull it out.
MLB betting pick: New York Yankees