2012 Boston Red Sox Predictions - February 29, 2012

The Boston Red Sox were considered by many to be the favorites to win the World Series last year, as they went into September with the best record in baseball. Instead of living up to expectations, the Red Sox suffered the worst collapse in baseball history. The Red Sox went just 7-20 in the final month of the regular season, missing out on the AL Wild Card spot by a single game. They still finished with the fourth-best record in the AL at 90-72, but none of that mattered after rumors came out that... 

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2012 Baltimore Orioles Predictions - February 29, 2012

The Baltimore Orioles struggled in their first full season under manager Buck Showalter, finishing last in the loaded AL East with a 69-93 record. The team’s biggest struggle has been finding a reliable core of starters to keep them in contention. Last year Baltimore’s pitching staff finished with an AL-worst 4.89 ERA. They have went out and added Wie-Yin Chen from Taiwan, but it doesn’t appear they have done enough to get out of the basement in the East. Here is a closer look at... 

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2012 San Diego Padres Predictions - February 29, 2012

The San Diego Padres late season collapse in 2010 carried over into 2011, as the Padres went just 71-91 after winning 90 games the previous season.  San Diego is hoping manager Bud Black can get this team back in contention in 2012. The Padres have made a couple of moves this offseason they hope will make a big difference. San Diego went out and traded for All-Star slugger Carlos Quentin to add some help offensively, and they also traded starter Matt Latos for starter Edinson Volquez and promising... 

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2012 San Francisco Giants Predictions - February 28, 2012

The Giants were unable to defend their 2010 World Series Championship last season. The Giants still finished with a winning record at 86-76, but were 8-games back of the Diamondbacks for first place in the NL West. San Francisco believes the additions of outfielders Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan will give their top of the line pitching staff enough offense to take back the division in 2012. Let’s take a closer look at the Giants projected starting lineup, starting rotation, and closer situation. Projected... 

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2012 Los Angeles Dodgers Predictions - February 28, 2012

For all the outside drama that was surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, you have to give manager Don Mattingly and the rest of the team credit for finishing up the year 82-79. However, the team’s financial problems have limited GM Ned Colletti in adding in the pieces to make this team a legit threat in the NL West. The Dodgers biggest offseason addition to date is veteran starter Aaron Harang. Here is a closer look at the Dodgers projected starting lineup, starting rotation, and closer... 

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2012 Honda Classic Predictions - February 28, 2012

The PGA Tour will return to stroke play after a thrilling five days of golf at the Accenture Match Play Championship. Hunter Mahan capitalized on a great week of golf by beating Rory McIlroy 2&1 in the final round of the tournament. While Mahan will take the week off, McIlroy will headline a strong field at the 2012 Honda Classic this week. The tournament takes place in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on the difficult PGA National Golf Glub Championship Course. Last year, Rory Sabbatini hoisted the... 

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2012 Colorado Rockies Predictions - February 28, 2012

The Colorado Rockies were one of the biggest disappointments of the 2011 season. Many experts had the Rockies picked to win the division and possibly get back to the World Series, but things didn’t exactly work out like they were suppose to. Colorado ended fourth in the NL West with a record of 73-89, thanks in large part to a lack of quality starting pitching. The expectations aren’t anywhere close to last year, but this is a team that could surprise and return to the top of the division... 

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2012 Arizona Diamondbacks Predictions - February 27, 2012

The Arizona Diamondbacks were the surprise team of the 2011 season. No one expected Arizona to compete in the NL West after finishing dead last in the division with a 65-97 record, but a bunch of breakout seasons bolted the Diamondbacks to a 94-68 finish. The team appears to be even stronger in 2012. Arizona was able to keep their nucleus together, while also adding starter Trevor Cahill and outfield Jason Kubel.  Let’s take a look at the Diamondbacks projected starting starting lineup, starting... 

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2012 St Louis Cardinals Predictions - February 27, 2012

The St Louis Cardinals head into the 2012 season off one of the most improbable World Series wins in the history of the game. If it wasn’t for the Braves unexplainable collapse at the end of the season, St Louis wouldn’t have even made the playoffs. The Cardinals then stunned the heavily favored Phillies in the first round, winning game 5 by a final of 1-0. They were down to their final out twice in Game 6 of the World Series against the Rangers, but found a way to win that game and beat... 

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2012 Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions - February 27, 2012

The Pittsburgh Pirates showed a glimpse of turning things around in 2011, but when it was all said and done the Pirates finished 4th in the NL Central at 72-90. This team was so bad at the end of the year, 19-43 over last 62 games, a lot of people forget they were tied for the division lead at 53-47 after 100 games. The big question this year is whether or not the Pirates will be able to take that next step and finish with a winning record, something they have failed to do in each of the past 19... 

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2012 Milwaukee Brewers Predictions - February 24, 2012

The Milwaukee Brewers are coming off one of the seasons this franchise has seen in a long time. The Brewers won the NL Central with an impressive 96-66 overall record, but it didn’t translate into a World Series liked they hoped. Milwaukee was able to get past the Diamondbacks in the first round, but lost in six games to the St Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. As expected, Prince Fielder left Milwaukee to sign with the Tigers. However, the team caught a break when Ryan Braun’s 50 game suspension... 

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2012 Houston Astros Predictions - February 24, 2012

The Houston Astros were the worst team in baseball last year, finishing with a dismal 56-106 record. It was the most losses in club history, and it doesn’t look like things are going to get better in the near future. The team was recently sold to a group of businessmen, who will try and turn the organization around as they prepare for their final season in the NL Central. After this season the Astros will move to the American League, where they will most likely join the AL West. While the team... 

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2012 Cincinnati Reds Predictions - February 24, 2012

The Cincinnati Reds are looking to take back the top spot in the NL Central after a disappointing 79-83 finish to the 2011 season. Last year the Reds didn’t make a lot of moves after winning the division in 2010, but general manager Walt Jocketty believes he has added in the right pieces for 2012. Cincinnati went out and traded for a proven starter in Mat Latos, a reliable set-up man in Sean Marshall, and a shutdown closer in Ryan Madson. With Albert Pujols leaving St Louis and Prince Fielder... 

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2012 Chicago Cubs Predictions - February 23, 2012

The Chicago Cubs went just 71-91 for a second consecutive fifth place finish in the NL Central. The disappointing finish prompted the team to go out and sign Theo Epstein as the team’s new president. As the general manager of the Red Sox, Epstein brought a World Series to Boston after an 86-year drought. Cubs fans are counting on him to put an end to their losing ways, as they haven’t won a World Series in 103 years. Epstein decided to part ways with manager Mike Quade and bring in Dale... 

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2012 Washington Nationals Predictions - February 23, 2012

The Washington Nationals haven’t had a lot to get excited about since the team first moved to Washington back in 2005. However, there are a lot of people who think the Nationals are primed to become a serious contender in the NL East after finishing third in the division in 2011 with an 80-81 record.  Not only is Washington expecting a full season out of their ace, Stephen Strasburg, but they went out and traded for Gio Gonzalez to give them another young and potent arm at the top of their... 

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2012 NBA All-Star Game Odds - February 23, 2012

This weekend the NBA regular season will be put on hold for All-Star weekend. This year the NBA’s best will showcase their talents at the Anway Center in Orlando, home of the Orlando Magic. The actual All-Star game itself will be played on Sunday, but there are a number of entertaining events that take place on Friday and Saturday. For those of you looking to spice up your All-Star weekend and make a little cash while your at it, here is a look at some interesting prop bets you can make. Odds... 

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2012 Philadelphia Phillies Predictions - February 22, 2012

The Philadelphia Phillies won their fifth consecutive NL East division title with a franchise-record 102 win regular season, but all that is remembered is how this team failed to even make it to the NLCS.  The Phillies lost 0-1 in Game 5 of the NL Divisional Series against the St Louis Cardinals. The heartbreaking finish to last year doesn’t seem to have the Phillie fanatics doubting their team in 2012.  With what is regarded as the best pitching staff in baseball, the expectations in Philadelphia... 

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2012 New York Mets Predictions - February 22, 2012

The New York Mets have struggled to keep up with the top guns in the NL East. Their 77-85 record landed them in fourth place inside the division for a third consecutive season. Things aren’t looking all that great for 2012, especially with Washington and Miami both looking like they will be better this season. The Mets were unable to re-sign shortstop Jose Reyes, who carried the offense for most of last season, and have done little in free agency to expect a huge turnaround. Here is a look... 

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2012 Miami Marlins Predictions - February 21, 2012

One of the biggest stories this offseason is all the noise the Miami Marlins, formerly the Florida Marlins,  are creating.  The Marlins finished a disappointing 72-90 last season, but a lot has changed since the end of last year. Ozzie Guillen has come over from the White Sox to become the new manager and ownership is spending money like crazy. Despite missing out on Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, the Marlins were able to sign shortstop Jose Reyes, starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, and closer Heath... 

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2012 Atlanta Braves Predictions - February 21, 2012

If it wasn’t for the Atlanta Braves collapse in the final month of the season, there would have been a different World Series Champion. The Braves led the St. Louis Cardinals by 8.5-games on Sept. 5 and would hold onto that lead until the final day of the regular season. It was a tough way to finish the first season under new manager Fredi Gonzalez, but the team didn’t hit the panic button. Atlanta has kept pretty much the same roster from last year’s team that went 89-73. Here... 

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2012 WGC-Accenture Match Play Predictions - February 21, 2012

The PGA Tour has really been a lot of fun to watch early in the season. Last week at the Northern Trust Open Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley each made birdie on the final hole to force a three-way playoff with Bill Hass. The dramatics didn’t continue for Mickelson or Bradley, as Hass went onto win the tournament on the second playoff hole. This week fans will get a little different taste, as the top 64 players players on the World Golf Rankings who are available to play will tee it up at... 

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Odds to Win 2012 NCAA Player of the Year - February 21, 2012

The 2011-12 college basketball season is quickly winding down with just a few weeks left before Selection Sunday. Most of the focus is on teams positioning themselves inside the conference and building up their resumes for the NCAA Tournament, there are a select bunch of players who are competing for the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award.  Heading into the stretch run of the season, it appears to be a three-man race between Thomas Robinson of Kansas,  Anthony Davis of Kentucky,... 

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Handicapping NBA Hot & Cold Streaks ATS - February 20, 2012

The NBA can be an extremely difficult sport to handicap. With the long schedule it is difficult to predict when a team is going to not show up and leave you hanging on a game they could have easily covered if they played up to their potential. In order to be successful in the NBA you have to take advantage of every angle you can find, and you have to continue working to find new angles as oddsmakers will quickly adapt to the game. A lot of people will make their picks on NBA games based off a team’s... 

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2012 Daytona 500 Predictions - February 20, 2012

We are less than a week away from the biggest NASCAR Sprint Cup event of the season, as the top drivers gear up for the 54th running of the Daytona 500.  While most sports save the best for last, the Sprint Cup Series draws you in with the best they have to offer. Much like winning the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Finals, a racers career isn’t viewed the same if they don’t have a win at the Daytona 500. The last two years have brought some big time surprises, as Jamie McMurray and... 

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Handicapping NBA Home Court Advantage - February 17, 2012

There’s no denying that most teams play better at home than they do on the road. During the 2010-11 season home teams went 743-487 (60.4%). That really shouldn’t come as a big surprise, over the years home teams win right around 60% of the time.  The question everyone wants to know is how you incorporate home court advantage when picking against the spread. A lot of people like to use a set number that home teams are given, for example most believe the home team gets 3-points before... 

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