posted October 30, 2008 at 15:27 EST in MLB Articles
MLB Season Is A Wrap … Now What?
Yes, BetUS MLB sports betting faithful, you are not dreaming. The Philadelphia Phillies are the 2008 World Series Champions!
In what has been one of the most inexplicable, thrilling, and totally unpredictable MLB seasons in recent memory, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the feisty Tampa Bay Rays in five games to win the second World Series title in franchise history.
Say whatever you want about spectacular starting pitchers, Jake Peavy, CC Sabathia or Johan Santana, there isn’t another starter in all of baseball that I’d rather have right now than Phillies NLCS and World Series MVP, Cole Hamels. At age 24, the left-handed staff ace is still blossoming! Hamels, who earned $500,000 this season, was undoubtedly the biggest bargain in baseball in 2008.
However, with the 2008 season, now a thing of the past, bettors want – and need – to know what lies ahead in the near-future, particularly the upcoming 2009 season.
Before getting into my near-future glimpse, let’s take a brief review of what transpired throughout the course of the postseason in both leagues, starting with the American League.
ALDS
The Los Angeles Angels had a ton of talent, both in their lineup and pitching staff, but took a big-time choke pill for the second consecutive season in losing to the Boston Red Sox in four games. Still, the Angels will likely be back in the postseason in 2009 in the weak AL West.
The Chicago White Sox were absolutely no match for the Rays in their ALDS series, also losing in four games. The ChiSox could easily find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time next season.
ALCS
The Rays proved they were for real just as they did during the regular season, in beating the defending World Series champion Red Sox in seven thrilling games after nearly gagging on their own ‘choke pill.’
Call me crazy, but I’m thinking the Rays and Red Sox are going to be the best two teams in the AL again next season no matter how many big name free agents the New York Yankees import.
NLDS
The Milwaukee Brewers likely won’t be in the playoffs next season if they lose starter CC Sabathia, the single most important player on their team this season despite being with the club for just half of the regular season.
The Brewers clearly need some arm after getting pounded by the Phillies in four games in their NLDS showdown.
The Chicago Cubs have got to be the biggest choke artists in all of baseball. After winning 97 games during the regular season, the Cubbies were emphatically swept out of the postseason by the up-and-coming Los Angeles Dodgers.
Still, the Cubs should be a factor in the NL postseason race next season simply because they have a roster loaded with veteran talent.
NLCS
The Dodgers have the best manager on the face of the planet in Joe Torre and are only going to get better with time. However, if they lose Manny Ramirez, they could take a big step backwards.
Their lack of proficient hitters cost them in their five-game NLCS loss to Philadelphia.
World Series
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies on their World Series victory, but if I had to pick one team to win the 2009 World Series, it would undoubtedly be the Tampa Bay Rays, baseball’s biggest and best surprise of 2008.
I think, at this point, anyone who knows a thing about the game can easily see the Rays are built for the long haul with a multitude of young talent up and down their roster.
From the Rays’ gifted starting pitchers to their impressive bullpen Tampa Bay is a rebuilding organization’s perfect blueprint on how to build a winning ballclub.
The only thing the Rays lacked this season was a bit more power in their lineup with just one player that hit 30 home runs.
Despite beating the Rays for the World Series title, Philadelphia can clearly use some better starting pitching behind Cole Hamels. If they don’t get, I wouldn’t hold my breath expecting a repeat performance from Philadelphia.
Obviously, depending on which free agents sign with certain teams, the entire 2009 landscape could change.
Here is a brief look at some big-name players that will be available this spring.
Starting Pitchers
A.J. Burnett, Ryan Dempster, Derek Lowe, Jamie Moyer, Mike Mussina, Oliver Perez, Andy Pettittee, Sabathia and Ben Sheets.
Closers
Brian Fuentes, Jason Isringhausen, Kerry Wood and Francisco Rodriguez.
Position Players
Ivan Rodriguez, Jason, Mark Teixeira, Orlando Hudson, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, Manny Ramirez, Bobby Abreu, Ken Griffey Jr.
Thanks for betting with BetUS all season long, beloved MLB wagering members. I know I’m looking forward to spring training already and can’t wait for what already looks like it’s going to be another thriller for bettors, fans and the players themselves.
