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Early Odds to Win the World Baseball Classic

Written by Jimmy Boyd

wb-classic The World Baseball Classic throws out the first pitch on Thursday March 5th when China and Japan face off in the opener. We will crown the 2009 champ on Monday March 23rd in Dodger Stadium. All of the action can be seen on ESPN, ESPN 2, and MLB TV. For those of you thinking about betting the classic, this article takes a look at some of the early odds and I will discuss the chances of some of the top contenders to guide your wagers.

Bet the United States at +170 at BetUS to win the 2009 World Baseball Classic
The United States came up short in 2006 and that will give this year’s group a wake up call. The United States expected to win the first time around and discovered just how seriously the rest of the world takes its baseball. They should have already known with all the outside talent in the majors. But it took our USA basketball team getting beat up internationally to get back on top and I anticipate that working the same way for our baseball players. Joe Mauer, Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Josh Hamilton were invited to play on the team but will not be along for the ride. And CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Brad Lidge, Chase Utley, and Ken Griffey Junior won’t be back from the 2006 team along with A-Rod, who’s playing for the Dominican Republic, and Roger Clemens. Even with those absences, I still feel the U.S. is the most improved team in the field and its odds reflect that. Part of the improvement has to do with personnel and part of it has to do with its new mindset not to take the rest of the planet lightly. I love the United States’ additions of Roy Oswalt, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Dustin Pedroia, Ryan Braun, and Grady Sizemore. These additions give the U.S. a great chance to take the title.

Bet the Dominican Republic at +170 at BetUS to win the 2008 World Baseball Classic
The D.R. is the co-favorite to win the 2009 Classic with Team USA. It loses Manny Ramirez but picks up Alex Rodriguez. That might actually be a down grade considering that Ramirez is a much better big game hitter and that A-Rod’s head may be elsewhere due to his newly discovered ties to steroid usage. The Dominican Republic also adds Hanley Ramirez, Aramis Ramirez, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, and Carlos Marmol to the mix. The D.R. could be the team to beat as it boasts the best lineup. This is a team that can lead off with Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes and Alfonso Soriano at the top of the order and then give you A-Rod, Albert Pujols, Vladimir Guerrero, Big Papi and Carlos Pena as the meat. If the D.R. does not win it all, it will likely be due to poor pitching because its lineup is stacked.

Bet Japan at +600 at BetUS to win the 2009 World Baseball Classic
The defending champions did it with superior pitching in 2006 and this proud baseball country will not be lacking any hunger in trying to repeat. The 2006 tournament was the birth of Dice-K. He defeated Cuba in the championship game and was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. A few months down the road was inked in by the Boston Red Sox. Offensively, we can expect a disciplined lineup featuring Ichiro Suzuki, who hit a whopping .364 in 2006.

Complete list of 2009 World Baseball Classic Odds at BetUS

Australia +15000
Canada +4000
China +15000
Chinese Taipei +4000
Cuba +800
Dominican Republic +170
Italy +15000
Japan +600
Korea +1500
Mexico +2000
Netherlands +15000
Panama +3000
Puerto Rico +2000
South Africa +20000
USA +170
Venezuela +1200

The baseball betting season will be here before you know it so make sure you check out the MLB lines each day at Locksmith Sports. Jimmy Boyd is known for his baseball expertise and his MLB picks earned him the 2007 Handicapping Title. Make sure you’re along for the profitable ride this season.

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Written by Jimmy Boyd on February 9, 2009 · Filed Under Baseball Betting Articles, News & Previews

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