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2009 New York Yankees Odds & Predictions

The 2008 season marked the first time in 15 years that the Yankees have missed out on October baseball. While the real headline should be something to the effect of “will the Yankees be back in 2009″, Alex Rodriguez’ steroid use has stolen the show to mark the third straight season a Yankee player admitted to using a banned substance. If Derek Jeter comes out next year, there is no such thing as a clean player in baseball. The Yanks cleaned up in the free agent market, landing Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett. Now all that’s left is for the Bronx Bombers to give their huge fan base something to cheer about. The New York Yankees are listed at +400 to win the 2009 World Series.

Pitching
It was obvious that the Yankees’ starting pitching had been lagging. It was the biggest reason why we didn’t see New York in the postseason last year. The team went out and tried to do something about it by signing C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. With Chien-Ming Wang and crowd-favorite Joba Chamberlain, the Yankees have a nice group at the top of the rotation. Wang won 19 games in both 2006 and 2007 and Chamberlain should be much stronger this season as the Yankees have vowed to limit his innings and give him extra rest if needed. While Sabathia was 11-2 for Milwaukee, he was just 6-8 for Cleveland before the trade. Sabathia is about as good a lefty as we have in baseball right now, but his numbers are going to drop, hopefully just a little, now that he’s back in the AL. Burnett’s talent has never been questioned, but his health often has. He was 18-10 for Toronto a season ago and the Yankees hope that is the pitcher they are getting

Closer Mariano Rivera is a true ageless wonder. He gave up just 41 hits, allowed only six walks in 70.2 innings, while saving 39 games. Get Rivera the ball in the ninth with the lead and the Yanks will be in good shape. There is a lot of fire in the pen with hard throwers like Phil Choke and Brian Bruney.

Lineup
Johnny Damon appeared to be on the decline but is coming off a strong season in which he had three-year highs in average, on base percentage, and steals. Derek Jeter takes his normal spot in the two-hole. The captain is still getting it done in the field and at the plate. He is clearly still the best shortstop in the AL. Teixeira will likely hit in the three-spot and plays a Gold Glove first base as well. He’s patient and he can hit from both sides of the plate. Alex Rodriguez needs to have another MVP season for the Yankees and then he needs to prove he can do something in October. A-Rod slugged 35 homeruns and added 103 RBIs in 138 games a season ago. Jorge Posada is hoping that he can get his power back at the plate and can start throwing out base stealers again now that his shoulder has been repaired. Right fielder Xavier Nady is coming off career highs in homeruns (25) and RBIs (97) and will likely hit sixth. Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano, and Melky Cabrera are my picks to round out the starting nine.

Prediction: 2nd AL East
The Yankees should get back in the postseason in 2009, but it will likely be via the Wild Card. This team finished third in the AL East a season ago and needed all three of its big offseason signings to compete now that this is a three-team race with Tampa Bay joining the party last season. One thing that doesn’t get talked about often enough in baseball is chemisty and that is one major thing that the Yanks have been lacking. I think talent and motivation will overcome it this season and the Yanks will get right back in the playoffs. The New York Yankees are listed at -130 to win the AL East.

Make this MLB betting season one to remember by playing world champion MLB handicapper Jimmy Boyd’s baseball picks! No other capper on the planet has more wins against the MLB odds the last five years and the domination continues in 2009.

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