Tag: baseball

Gators News: July 20, 2020

We have officially reached the dog days of summer as a new week begins, with the July calendar strolling through its waning week.

We have officially reached the dog days of summer as a new week begins, with the July calendar strolling through its waning week. Although we have been deprived of the American pastime thus far — with exception of the KBO and the NPB as well — Major League Baseball season could be right around the corner if all goes well.

The truncated 60-game season scheduled by MLB is set to start on July 25 under the strict protocol set to mitigate the introduction and spread of COVID-19 among its players and staff. However, it has been a rocky road up to this point, with questions about how well the system they have set up will work. Nonetheless, it appears that by the end of the week the sweet sounds of wooden bats cracking and leather striking leather will return to our lives.

In the meantime, here is the news from the Gator Nation.

Around the Swamp

It’s great to be a Florida Gator!

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Seth Stephenson commits to Tennessee

Seth Stephenson commits to Tennessee.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee baseball team and coach Tony Vitello picked up a commitment recently from a junior college player from Texas.

Seth Stephenson, a shortstop for Temple College in Temple, Texas, announced his intention to continue his baseball career with the Volunteers on a social media post via Twitter on Monday, July 13.

He tweeted:

“I am Blessed to say I have committed to play Baseball and further my education at the University of Tennessee.

“Thank you to everyone who has believed in me along the way. I can’t wait to be apart of #VolNation!”

Stephenson, a switch hitter, from Buda, Texas, attended Hays High School. He hit .315 for the Leopards last season and scored 24 runs, stole eight bases and had six triples.

Bet on these MLB players to win the 2020 NL MVP award

Making our picks and best bets to win the NL MVP award in the shortened 2020 MLB season.

The 2020 MLB season is nearing its start as teams are less than two weeks away from playing their first games of this modified season. The National League is loaded with talent and stars across several teams, many of whom are good picks to win MVP.

Unlike the American League, there isn’t a clear-cut favorite to take home the award, but rather a cluster of excellent candidates. Below, we dive into the betting odds at BetMGM and make out best picks to win the 2020 NL MVP award.

2020 NL MVP best bets: Favorite

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, July 13 at 12:40 p.m. ET.

Los Angeles Dodgers OF Mookie Betts (+500)

Mookie Betts is the favorite to win the award after being dealt to the NL by the Red Boston Sox, joining a loaded Dodgers team in this shortened season. Betts has been one of the most productive and consistent players in MLB for the last four years, finishing in the top eight of MVP voting each season since 2016.

At +500, his payout for winning MVP is still rewarding despite being the favorite, unlike Mike Trout (+130) of the Los Angeles Angels in the AL. Injury risk is a concern with teams only playing 60 games and little ramp-up period before the season starts, but Betts hasn’t missed more than 26 games in a single season.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

2020 NL MVP best bets: Contender

Los Angeles Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger (+800)

Betts’ teammate, Cody Bellinger, is also a great bet for MVP. Bellinger’s odds are slightly longer, but he’s certainly deserving of being among the favorites after winning the award last year. He was scorching hot in the first half of the season, too, which bodes well in a shortened season. He hit 30 home runs and had 71 RBI in the first half before cooling off slightly in the later months.

Bellinger can hit for average and power and is always available – he missed just six games in the last two seasons. With Betts ahead of him now in the lineup, the opportunities to drive in runs will be even greater.

Also see:

Washington Nationals OF Juan Soto (+1100)

Juan Soto would’ve been a tougher bet to make if his odds were around teammate Ronald Acuna Jr.’s (+600), but at +1100, the risk is worth the potential reward. Soto finished ninth in MVP voting last year after hitting 34 home runs, driving in 110, stealing 12 bases and hitting .282. He’s the new star in Washington after Bryce Harper’s departure, and as the star of the reigning world champions, Soto should be in a great spot to continue progressing.

His average dipped in the second half of last season just as his power numbers went up, but he shouldn’t have any trouble heating up quickly this year.

Playing fantasy baseball? A Draft Day like no other deserves a fantasy baseball Cheat Sheet like no other. Weekly HQBasics from BaseballHQ is $4.95 with coupon code SBW5. Sign up now!

Philadelphia Phillies OF Bryce Harper (+2000)

Harper has been one of the most inconsistently great players in the majors lately, hitting .319 in 2017 before his average dipped to .249 the following year. It rose to .260 last season and his power numbers have remained strong, but he’s simply not getting on base as much as he used to.

The Phillies should be in contention in 2020 with a solid roster, especially if Harper plays up to his contract’s standards. He hasn’t finished in the top 15 of MVP voting since he was 12th in 2017, but in his second season in Philly, he should turn things around.

2020 NL MVP best bets: Long shot

New York Mets 1B Pete Alonso (+4000)

Pete Alonso is my long-shot pick after a remarkable rookie year with the Mets in 2019. He won NL Rookie of the Year with an MLB-best 53 homers and finished seventh in NL MVP voting. So why is he only +4000 to win MVP, which is tied for 14th? There are a lot of studs in the NL with a more proven track record than Alonso, but the Mets star will continue rising in Year 2.

He dominated the first half of last season with 30 homers and a .280 average. A hot start will be important with 102 games cut from the schedule, so that bodes well for the young power hitter. It’ll help his case if the Mets are in contention, too.

Want action on any 2020 MLB futures? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Bet on these MLB players to win the 2020 AL MVP award

Making our picks and best bets to win the AL MVP award in the shortened 2020 MLB season.

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All 15 teams in the American League will begin the 60-game 2020 MLB season in World Series contention. Players will have less time than ever to make a noticeable impact on their team’s postseason chances. Below, we look at a player from each tier of the betting odds at BetMGM and make out best picks to win the 2020 AL MVP award.

2020 AL MVP best bets: Favorite

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, July 10 at 2:10 p.m. ET.

Los Angeles Angels 3B Anthony Rendon (+1600)

Angels OF Mike Trout is the odds-on favorite to defend his 2019 AL MVP crown at +130, but is still uncertain of his playing status for the full season with his wife expecting to give birth later this summer. With the risk of him not even being available for a full 60 games, there’s no sense in eating this much chalk on an award race that’s wide open this season.

Rendon has the next best odds of any Angels player and is the fifth favorite overall. The free-agent signee and reigning World Series champion with the Washington Nationals is a plus defender at the hot corner. He slashed .319/.412/.598 with 34 home runs and led the majors with 126 RBIs in a career-best 2019 season. Should Trout miss any amount of time and the Angels remain in playoff contention, Rendon should be justly rewarded in his first season in the AL.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

2020 AL MVP best bets: Contender

Chicago White Sox C Yasmani Grandal (+6000)

3B Yoan Moncada (+4500) is the top contender from a White Sox team being widely picked as a darkhorse World Series contender, but he was there last year and can be overshadowed by 2020’s marquee additions should the team reach new heights in 2020.

Grandal signed as a free agent this offseason after hitting .246/.380/.468 with 28 home runs for the Milwaukee Brewers last season. He’s also one of the best defensive catchers in baseball and could be largely credited with helping to get the best out of a young and largely inexperienced starting rotation.

Playing fantasy baseball? A Draft Day like no other deserves a fantasy baseball Cheat Sheet like no other. Weekly HQBasics from BaseballHQ is $4.95 with coupon code SBW5. Sign up now!

2020 AL MVP best bets: Long shot

Boston Red Sox OF Alex Verdugo (+17500)

As noted above, the AL MVP race is up for the taking this year. As such, it only makes sense to sprinkle at least a small wager on one of 10 players with the longest odds on the board. Verdugo slashed .294/.342/.475 and hit 12 homers with four stolen bases across 377 plate appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Verdugo will be under pressure in Boston this year as the replacement for former-MVP OF Mookie Betts in the trade with the Dodgers. A similar line and helping to keep the Red Sox in contention with the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East title will get him the recognition he needs on one of baseball’s most popular teams.

Want action on any 2020 MLB futures? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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MLB Prop Bets: Bank on these pitchers to record the most saves in 2020

Making the best MLB prop bet picks to lead baseball in saves in the 60-game 2020 MLB season.

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The 2020 MLB season is right around the corner. As more becomes known about 60-man player pools and depth charts begin to finalize ahead of what will be a wildly unpredictable 60-game season, it’s time to get action on the top MLB prop bets. Below, we look at the best bets for the pitcher to lead MLB in saves in 2020.

2020 MLB saves leader best bets

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, July 10 at 1:40 p.m. ET.

Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees; Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers (+800)

Chapman and Jansen are the co-favorites to lead baseball in saves in 2020. This is largely due to their respective teams being favored to win the American and National Leagues, respectively, and being the top contenders for the 2020 World Series. The Dodgers are +350 favorites to win it all, while the Yankees are +400.

There’s no denying the abilities of either pitcher. Chapman converted 37 of 42 save opportunities last season with a 2.21 ERA and 13.42 strikeouts per nine innings. Jansen converted 33 of 41 chances with a 3.71 ERA and 11.43 K/9. Both the Yankees and Dodgers will rack up plenty of wins in 2020. The concern is too many of those games coming in blowout fashion.

With pitcher usage likely to vary wildly from game-to-game and situation-to-situation in 2020, this bet is best saved for long shots with higher, more profitable odds. PASS on betting the favorites.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers (+1400)

There’s a little better value with Hader, who tied for third in MLB while converting 37 of 44 save opportunities last season. The Brewers are expected to take a step back after qualifying for the playoffs as a wild-card team last year, but his 75 innings pitched were the most among the top-15 saves leaders last year.

The Brewers will lean heavily on their top reliever in 2020, and he’s likely to have more multi-inning opportunities than any other closer.

Also see: Best MLB bets to win the 2020 World Series

Playing fantasy baseball? A Draft Day like no other deserves a fantasy baseball Cheat Sheet like no other. Weekly HQBasics from BaseballHQ is $4.95 with coupon code SBW5. Sign up now!

Raisel Iglesias, Cincinnati Reds (+2200)

Iglesias backs what is expected to be a greatly improved Reds squad in 2020. He’ll come in behind the trio of front-line starters of Trevor Bauer, Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo and should have control of the lead more often than not when stepping on the mound.

He had a win-loss record of just 3-12 last season, but he converted 34 of 40 save opportunities. More run support and a strongly-defined role make him a great value at 22-1.

Nick Anderson, Tampa Bay Rays (+5000)

The Rays never hesitate to stray from conventional pitcher roles and that’ll be truer this season than ever before. Still, Anderson is a tremendous value while being priced among the closers from the lowly Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.

The Rays are World Series hopefuls once again and should provide their bullpen with plenty of save opportunities. Anderson converted just one of five opportunities last year, but he has an incredible 15.23 K/9 and should get the bulk of the late-inning duties in 2020.

Want action on any 2020 MLB futures? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Wyatt Evans commits to Tennessee

Wyatt Evans commits to Tennessee.

GREENVILLE — The University of Tennessee baseball team and coach Tony Vitello picked up another commitment for the class of 2021.

Wyatt Evans, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman, has announced his intention to continue his baseball career and education in Knoxville.

He will be a senior at JL Mann High School in Greenville, South Carolina this fall.

Evans announced his commitment on social media with a post on Twitter.

He tweeted:

“Excited and Blessed to announce my commitment to @Vol_Baseball! A big thanks to all my coaches who helped and prepared me along the way! #GoVols.”

Evans plays travel baseball for Canes America. His fastball has been clocked at 88 miles per hour by Prep Baseball Report.

Mike Fiers turned his bizarre facial hair into a terrifying face mask

This is HILARIOUS.

There are people with ridiculous beards and mustaches and then there’s Mike Fiers.

There’s not a great way to describe what the Oakland A’s pitcher donned on his face last fall. He shaved his beard down to one side of his face and he kept that side connected to his mustache on the opposite side of his face.

Yes, it is as wild as it sounds. No, it’s still unbelievable that he actually stepped out of his home like this last September. Like, yo. Who does this?

You really have to see it to believe it, so here it goes.

That deserves to be roasted for the rest of eternity. Not only did he step out of the house that way, but he appeared in a baseball stadium in front of thousands of people looking like that. Not to mention all of the folks watching him from the couch.

We should never forget that Mike Fiers played a baseball game where he turned his beard and mustache into a swirl.

Fortunately for us, we never will. Fiers turned his ridiculous, uh, let’s call it a beardstache, into a mask. And other players are legitimately wearing it while practicing to prepare for the season’s start.

THIS IS THE BEST. Not only is he taking the necessary safety precautions to protect himself and other players from coronavirus, but they’re also dishing out laughs while doing it.

This is fantastic. Now, where can I get one?

Top Fantasy Baseball sleepers to bank on in 2020

Highlighting the top 5 sleepers to target in your 2020 fantasy baseball drafts.

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The key to the shortened 2020 fantasy baseball season will be getting every bit of production out of players and not letting them toil away on the waiver wire during a hot streak, especially at the start of the season. With this in mind, we look at the top fantasy baseball sleepers to target in your drafts for the 60-game MLB season.

Fantasy baseball sleepers

Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers

Average Draft Position (ADP): 255

Braun is one of the many National League players who will benefit from the universal designated hitter this season. The 36-year-old’s 144 games played last year were his most since 2012. A poor fielder late in his career, Braun will be able to focus predominantly on offense and will be at a much lower risk of injury.

He has hit 42 home runs over the last two seasons and hasn’t stolen fewer than 11 bases in a season since playing just 61 games in 2013. He’ll hit behind OFs Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich in the top-heavy Brewers lineup and will have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Cesar Hernandez, 2B, Cleveland Indians

ADP: 269

Hernandez moves over to the American League after spending the first seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, and will get to play a lot of games against the weak pitching staffs of the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox. He’s able to contribute in all categories and is assured the bulk of the playing time in the center of the infield.

Nick Solak, 2B/3B/DH, Texas Rangers

ADP: 295

Solak isn’t guaranteed a regular position in the Rangers lineup, but his versatility and talent should keep him involved, especially if any Rangers position player suffers an early injury. He slashed .293/.393/.491 with five home runs across 33 games in Texas’ lost 2019 season. He needs to be drafted before becoming a hot commodity on the waiver wire.

Playing fantasy baseball? A Draft Day like no other deserves a fantasy baseball Cheat Sheet like no other. Weekly HQBasics from BaseballHQ is $4.95 with coupon code SBW5. Sign up now!

Amed Rosario, SS, New York Mets

ADP: 168

Rosario developed some power last season and finished with a career-high 15 home runs to go with 19 stolen bases. He struggles with strikeouts and needs to draw more walks, but his batting average improved greatly over the second half of last season and his defense will keep him in the lineup every day for a competitive team.

Jonathan Schoop, 2B, Detroit Tigers

ADP: 317

Schoop swatted 23 homers and drove in 59 runs over 121 games with the Minnesota Twins last season. He struck out in 25% of his plate appearances and walked in just 4.3%, but he’ll be fully allowed to take his cuts while hitting in the center of a bad Tigers lineup.

Want action on any 2020 MLB futures? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Top 5 Fantasy Baseball sleeper pitchers

Previewing the fantasy baseball landscape and highlighting the top 5 sleeper pitchers for the 2020 MLB season.

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Fantasy baseball managers will need to act quickly in the shortened 2020 MLB season. The 60-game campaign will mean smaller sample sizes of both successes and struggles will carry more weight, and fantasy owners will need to be ready to pounce on the waiver wire and cut ties sooner than usual. Below, we’ll help you get a head start on the 2020 fantasy baseball season with a look at the top-five sleeper pitchers to target in drafts.

Fantasy baseball: Top 5 sleeper pitchers

Kenta Maeda, SP, Minnesota Twins

Average Draft Position (ADP): 171

Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason, Maeda joins Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi at the front of the Twins’ rotation. Maeda went 10-8 over 37 games (26 starts) and 153 2/3 innings last year while pitching to a 4.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 169 strikeouts against just 51 walks.

Maeda will benefit greatly from the change of scenery. He’ll no longer need to pitch in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field and Chase Field, and will instead get to feast on the expected cellar-dwelling Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Steven Matz, SP, New York Mets

ADP: 277

Matz went 11-10 in 32 games (30 starts) while throwing a career-high 160 1/3 innings in 2019. He posted a lackluster 4.21 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, but both those figures improved greatly in the second half of the season, as did his K-BB percentage. The Mets lineup should be much stronger this season and can help provide more win opportunities with improved run support.

Andrew Heaney, SP, Los Angeles Angels

ADP: 198

Heaney was limited to 18 starts and 95 1/3 innings in 2019. He averaged more than 11 strikeouts per nine innings for the second time in his career and walked fewer than three batters per nine for the second straight year. The 29-year-old has been named the Angels’ Opening Day starter and will front a new-look rotation.

Playing fantasy baseball? A Draft Day like no other deserves a fantasy baseball Cheat Sheet like no other. Weekly HQBasics from BaseballHQ is $4.95 with coupon code SBW5. Sign up now!

Kyle Hendricks, SP, Chicago Cubs

ADP: 144

Hendricks hasn’t been able to replicate his breakout 2016 campaign in which he pitched to a 2.13 ERA, while going 16-8, but a regression to a 3.44 ERA in 2018 and a 3.46 ERA in 2019 are being viewed too unfavorably. He won’t steal matchups with strikeout totals, but his reliability and consistency will pay off nicely in an otherwise unpredictable season.

Ken Giles, RP, Toronto Blue Jays

ADP: 128

Giles recorded just 23 saves over 53 games last season, but pitched to a sparkling 1.87 ERA with a career-best 14.09 strikeouts per nine innings. He may still struggle to get save opportunities while backing the middling Blue Jays, but should get into games more regularly with teams expected to limit the usage of their top starters in 2020.

Want action on any 2020 MLB futures? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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