And what does manager Terry Francona like best about his new-look Red Sox?

“What I like right now,” he said during an early-morning conversation in his City of Palms Park office here, “is their ability to get up in the morning and do what we ask them to do and try to prepare for the season.”

Now, the Red Sox are cutting edge. They have their own proprietary software for quantitative analysis of the game’s intricacies and nuances. They employ some of the game’s most brilliant minds.

But I’m pretty sure as the Sox sunk their teeth into their winter maneuvering, “rising with the alarm clock” wasn’t atop the player-evaluation checklist.

And yet, Francona’s answer is dead-solid honest.

And perfect.

There is a culture change afoot in Fenway. Gone are the big bopper days of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Disappeared is Jason Bay and his 36 homers. In place of the thunder and lightning is a new-fangled phrase that sure wasn’t employed back in the days of Ted Williams or Carl Yastrzemski: Run prevention.

No question, how it plays out will be one of the most fascinating developments of 2010. And there are no guarantees. This could work just as they imagine it will … or it could leave the Fenway faithful longing for the days of moon shots over the Green Monster. Swapping brute force for subtle balance isn’t the most sexy way to go.

Will the Hub chicks dig flashy glove work and doubles into the gap?

“We feel like we’re going to have a really good pitching staff,” Francona continues. “We should catch the ball, which should make our pitching better. We’re looking for a balanced lineup, which I think we’re going to have.

“And then you have to have the ability to have depth, and you don’t know where you’re going to need the depth. We laugh about it when you think you have too much pitching go get more. Because that’s the way your season can get derailed.

“We’ve lived through that.”

Adrian Beltre at third base? Gold Glover. Marco Scutaro at shortstop? Good range. A 37-year-old center fielder in Mike Cameron? Sure, he plays younger than he is in the outfield, but … Gritty, hard-throwing right-hander John Lackey alongside Josh Beckett and Jon Lester in the rotation? Count ‘em, that’s three guys who could start Game 1 in October.

“It’s going to be a fun year,” Lester said. “You’re going to see a lot of good plays.”

Suffering through a bad-hipped Mike Lowell at third and Nick Green at shortstop for much of 2009, the Red Sox nevertheless finished tied for third in the AL in fielding percentage. Unless you were watching closely, their defense mostly looked passable. Not everyone realized there was an issue, not even some folks right in the thick of it.

“Not really,” second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. “I know we struggled early defensively, but by the end of the year we were pretty good.

“At the end of the year we weren’t swinging the bats. That’s why we lost.”

Though the Sox earned the AL wild-card slot, they went quietly in the playoffs, getting swept by the Angels.

By the time the first snowflakes fell, general manager Theo Epstein and Co. had decided against making extravagant free-agent offers to Bay, whom they dubbed deficient defensively. At the winter meetings, they put in place a deal to send Lowell to Texas, though that fell apart when the third baseman failed a physical and subsequently underwent surgery on his thumb. And their revolving door at shortstop flipped to Scutaro, who follows the Orlando Cabrera/Pokey Reese/Alex Gonzalez/Julio Lugo/Alex Cora/Nick Green procession over the past six years since the trade of Nomar Garciaparra.

“We weren’t the best defensive team,” Francona said. “We knew that. There were reasons. We knew Mikey was coming off of hip surgery. We had a bunch of different shortstops. But when the season starts, you’re trying to win. Then when the season’s over, we take a pretty critical look at ourselves: ‘How can we get better?’

“I don’t think it’s a difference in philosophy. It’s just, ‘How can we get better?’ At the same time, Theo’s looking at our team not just now but four years down the road. There’s a lot of things to think about.

Sleeper … Adrian Beltre: Fenway Park and this supporting cast should help revitalize him. After all, he is still listed at just 30 years old, believe it or not. Beltre is a late-round pick in mixed formats, but he could prove to be quite a find if he holds off Mike Lowell for everyday at-bats and proves capable of attacking the Green Monster from the right side of the plate as the Red Sox are banking he will. Bust … Marco Scutaro: Scutaro, 34, was widely considered a super-utility man before posting a career year in 2009 and earning a free-agent deal with the Red Sox. Banking on more improvement out of a middle infielder in his mid-30s is a bad strategy in Fantasy, regardless of how intriguing his supporting cast and new home park is. Breakout … Clay Buchholz: The Red Sox figure to slot a veteran rotation ahead of him, but Buchholz is plenty talented enough to force their hand with him in their rotation. Because Buchholz could start the year in the bullpen or Triple-A, he could be as much of a sleeper as he is a breakout, but we believe the cream will rise to the top and Buchholz will be owned and a must-start in all Fantasy leagues be Top Red Sox Prospects (2010 destination) 1. Michael Bowden, SP, Triple-A 2. Junichi Tazawa, SP, Triple-A 3. Ryan Westmoreland, OF, Class A 4. Casey Kelly, SP, Double-A 5. Ryan Kalish, OF, Triple-A Red Sox outlook | 2010 Draft Prep Guide

“I think I’ve always cared about how we catch the ball. But you have the team you have, and you do the best you can.”

Though the Red Sox tied f a they were a lowly 16th in the majors in Ultimate Zone Rating, another of the new-age sabermetric study formulas (though it is important to note, as I mentioned earlier, the Sox have their own proprietary analysis methods and do not use UZR).

Beltre (two), Pedroia (one) and first baseman Kevin Youkilis (one) have four Gold Gloves among them, which should allow the pitchers a deep breath every now and again.

“There are always times you feel like [you have to make the perfect pitch],” Beckett said. “This year, that’s not going to be the situation. I don’t feel I have to make the perfect pitch. The defense makes you more comfortable.

“You’re still trying to make the perfect pitch, but sometimes the perfect pitch isn’t there.”

When it isn’t, the thinking goes, Beltre will be. Or Scutaro. Or, heck, with this sticky defense,

In the outfield, with fleet Jacoby Ellsbury moving to left to allow Cameron, the three-time Gold Glover, to play center, and with J.D. Drew in right, it should be the best defense during Francona’s seven seasons in the dugout.

“I hope so,” Francona said. “That’s the idea. It’s a little bit like Tampa Bay when [Carl] Crawford is running all over the field like a second center fielder. We like that. We think, physically, they match up real well to Fenway. Jacoby’s quickness in left, Cameron’s long strides in center. …

“Jacoby’s already played left field for us when he first came up. He’s pretty dynamic out there. We didn’t just throw it out there and hope it sticks. We’ve kind of tried to look at it and understand it and have good reasons for doing things.”

The reasons, as always under the Francona/Epstein partnership, are sound. The plan is being put into place.

For now, rising with the alarm clock and getting to work is just perfect. It sure beats hitting the snooze button.

“We may not lead the league in runs, but we’re going to have a good offe we’ve had a couple of years here where we’ve overcome some of our shortcomings because Manny’s hit a three-run homer.

“I’d prefer to play the game crisply and cleanly and still hopefully be productive, because that’s how you’re good. That’s what we’re hoping for.

“A lot of people come in and say, ‘Hey, you’re going to play a lot of 2-1 games.’ I don’t think that’s our goal. We want to play a lot of 6-1 games. That’s the idea. We’ll see.”

We knew he could catch. We knew he could hit. We knew he could play hoops, because he was a high-school all-stater.

Bobby Bowden, Florida State football coach, knew he could play quarterback, otherwise he never would have offered him a full ride.

“Joe,” Bowden told him one day back when the coach was recruiting him in high school at St. Paul’s Cretin-Derham Hall. “I want to come up and see how you move around the basketball court. But I’m not coming up in that cold for a no.”

Says Mauer, who, of course, ultimately decided against FSU and football: “I remember trying to put on a show for him.”

He was the American League MVP last year. He won his third AL batting title. He earned a second Gold Glove. Talk about putting on a show yes, beyond even the monster co now he’s honing his acting chops.

As the coverboy of this year’s Sony PlayStation game , he’s featured in a clever commercial that already has been screened in the clubhouse of the defending AL Central champions this spring.

“It’s funny. It’s really good,” says new Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy, a friend of Mauer’s since they were 15 and playing together on USA national teams. “And his acting is pretty good.

“Everything he does is pretty good. I think if he wasn’t playing baseball, he’d be in the NFL as a stud quarterback. And if he was playing basketball, he’d probably be in the NBA.”

Uh-huh. You know the type. Guy who everything he touches, turns to gold. Guy who gets the best job, prettiest girl, coolest car, highest salary, biggest house.

Guy who absolutely makes you sick.

Except … Mauer is not that last guy.

“He’s just the nicest guy in the world,” Hardy continues. “It’s just amazing. If he wasn’t the nicest guy, it make me sick.

“But since he’s such a genuinely nice guy, you’ve got to root for the guy in everything he does.”

Somewhere upstairs in the administrative offices on this spring day, Twins executives are crunching numbers on what will be the most historic contract in club history. It certainly will be the Twins’ first $100 million contract. Industry speculation is that it will reach $200 million.

Oh, there is a chance the two sides will reach a stalemate, and Mauer will leave via free agency after the season.

There also is a chance that the state of Minnesota will secede from the union and sign with Canada, too.

The process of going public

In a high-tech warehouse studio in San Diego last month, on what looked like a giant wrestling mat, beneath red lights and wearing a lycra-type outfit with electrodes attached, Mauer looks utterly futuristic as Sony puts him through the paces for the “motion capture” part of .

“Tough to look cool in this outfit,” Mauer deadpans and, truth be told, given the beanie-style cap atop his head (more electrodes), Flounder from does fleetingly come to mind.

On the fast track toward becoming the face of baseball, however, the moments when Mauer does not look cool are exceptionally rare. He’s just 26 (turns 27 in April), and last year he led the AL in batting average (.365), on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.587). Only 12 players have ever led the AL in each of those three categories in a season, none since George Brett in 1980.

Of the 12, 10 are in the Hall of Fame: Brett, Ted Williams, Napoleon Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, Jimmie Foxx, Frank Robinson and Carl Yastrzemski.

Mauer signed with the marketing firm IMG in November to handle his endorsements. So far, he’s lent his name to Sony, Rawlings and Anytime Fitness.

As quiet and unassuming a superstar as you could imagine, Mauer would just as soon deflect attention to his teammates as take it himself. With each batting title, MVP award and Gold Glove, however, that becomes more and more unrealistic.

Enter IMG, one of the most powerful and reputable firms in the land.

“It’s a little different,” Mauer says after finishing the motion capture part of his day in San Diego. “Because there are so many more demands on your time. … Right when I signed, though, I told them that the most important thing for me in the offseason was to get ready for next season.”

He’s comfortable that he’s been able to do that. As he says, you can’t say yes to everything.

“You’ve got to remember you’re only human,” he says.

His introduction to the world of marketing was whirlwind at times this winter, and eye-opening.

“People flying you out for a day, wanting you to come in and do a lunch,” Mauer says. “They bring you in in the morning and fly you out later that day.

“I flew up to Chicago for a day with Gatorade, spoke to their sales reps. The people at Gatorade wanted me to tell them about my experiences. It was a neat thing, getting to see the products [early] that will be coming out in 2010.”

He really does say things like “neat.” Regularly. And, when the animated Mauer whiffs on three pitches against the animated Jake Peavy during an inning of with Mauer himself at the controls, he really does exclaim, “Dang it!” And the thing is, this is Mauer letting his hair down. Yes, it’s still cut short and tight.

“The first couple of years, I was quiet and shy,” he says. “I tried to say the right things all the time.

“Now, I’m more loose.”

The looseness ends, however, where the subject of his sensitive contract negotiations begin. He long ago retreated into information blackout mode, basically answering every inquiry with the standard line of, “It will happen when it needs to happen.”

Surely, one clue into his thinking can be found in the retention of his agent, Ron Shapiro, who represent each of whom had the chance to leave as a free agent but remained long-term where he started (Puckett with the Twins, of course, and Ripken with the Orioles).

“Those are two great players,” Mauer says. “It goes back to what makes you happy.”

Home has always made him happy. Even his grandparents attend every Twins’ home game. Both his grandparents and his parents spend the entire spring in Fort Myers. In Minnesota, it’s no secret around town that he can be spotted regularly at Mancini’s Char House in St. Paul. He amiably signs autographs and poses for pictures, after he’s finished eating.

“I’ll chat with people, and I think maybe they find out I’m not that cool,” he says.

Where the contract is concerned, here is another clue into his thinking (and really, at this point, especially with Shapiro in Fort Myers over the weekend, it’s all in the reading of the clues): While he is as comfortable in Minnesota as a duck on one of the 10,000 lakes, he also but not for the Broadway lights and nightclub nights.

Sleeper … Francisco Liriano: Liriano might not be drafted in early mixed league drafts at this point, but the reports from winter ball were promising, if not downright impressive, old-school Liriano-style. Reports had his velocity at 95-96 and his slider was at its 2006 form, according to the GM. If he can regain his control and command, he is going to represent a huge bang for the buck in deeper leagues. We are too stubborn to give up on this talent, even if many Fantasy owners have. Bust … Jim Thome: We are taking the easy way out here, but we did it to remind the uninformed that the Twins signed Thome to be a left-handed hitter off the bench, not their DH. The Twins figure to give Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span and Jason Kubel full-time at-bats, while Delmon Young remains too promising to not be granted one more chance. Breakout … Scott Baker: While Baker and Kevin Slowey could give up more homers in their new home in the summer months, they figure to start and finish hot. Also, those homers might be of the solo variety. These two guys might be hittable, but they don’t hurt themselves with walks. Baker and Slowey should be on the board after the top 25 starting pitchers on Draft Day, but we could se Top Twins Prospects (2010 destination) 1. Aaron Hicks, OF, Class A 2. Ben Revere, OF, Double-A 3. Wilson Ramos, C, Double-A 4. Danny Valencia, 3B, Triple-A 5. Tyler Robertson, SP, Double-A Twins outlook | 2010 Draft Prep Guide

“I really don’t do a lot on the road,” he said. “It’s pretty much the hotel and the ballpark. Every once in awhile I’ll join some of the guys and go out to eat.

“But I’ll catch up on my sleep. It’s a time to be by yourself, and I kind of like that.”

Quiet, introspective and exceedingly well-spoken, Mauer views the speculation surrounding his future with an amused detachment. people in Boston tell him, people in New York tell him,

“The only funny thing about it is that my first couple of years I’d go to different cities and hear, ‘Aw, you suck! You suck!’” Mauer says. “Last year, it was like, ‘I can’t wait to see you in this [uniform]. I can’t wait to see you in that [uniform].’

“It’s pretty funny how it works.”

Meantime, while fans speculate, the Twins negotiate and IMG salivates, the nationalizing of Mauer begins.

“My buddies have told me that they’re getting sick of seeing my mug,” Mauer says, chuckling. “The first couple of years, I really struggled with that because I’m really private. I like to have a private life. And when I was younger, I wanted to make sure I always did the right thing.

“I still believe that.”

Besides, if he ever forgets, there’s an expert close by who surely will remind him. The All-American boy next door? Mauer’s mother still receives his fan mail and helps him sort through it.

“She’s been a lifesaver for me, trying to help me out and answer people,” Mauer says. “You see the mail that comes in, she’s got a tough task. But she enjoys reading the letters, especially from the kids.”

Unchanged star still regular Joe

There is no way the Twins, who picked Mauer first overall in the 2001 draft, can let this guy leave.

As manager Ron Gardenhire quipped this winter, the only decision is “whether to give him Minneapolis or St. Paul.”

< with Eagan, Excelsior, Lake Minnetonka and the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicollet Mall thrown in.

Still … the dizzying amount of money awaiting him, the complications the negotiations could present, the stress of the unknown … he moves through his days here this spring thoroughly unaffected.

“Joe’s so quiet, you don’t know anything,” Gardenhire says. “Joe’s just Joe. He’s preparing for the season. He takes care of himself. It’s not even an issue. That’s for others.”

In the clubhouse, the Twins players give him his space and assume a deal will get done. They see no change in their humble superstar.

“Joe cares as much now about when your dad’s coming down to camp as he did the first time I met him,” starting pitcher Kevin Slowey says. “He introduces himself to every single person in camp. It’s not just a veteran like Jim Thome. It’s the guy who is in his first camp.

“That’s why everyone likes Joe. In baseball, guys come and go. But I think everybody here will remember Joe for who he is.

“You talk baseball with Joe, and then that drifts to family and friends, and health, and then how you’ve been doing.”

The pitcher pauses, pondering the question of where these negotiations may take Mauer.

“I’d love to throw to Joe for the rest of my career, wherever that is,” Slowey continues. “Just the way he carries himself, we know he’ll do whatever is right.”

At home, in a place he loves, working a dream job with the world at his fingertips, Mauer is in that sweet spot in life where everything is possible, anything is attainable. He is on the cusp of becoming the face of baseball and on the eve of a historical contract.

Yet the catcher with the matinee-idol looks and the Ted Williams swing likes nothing better than the simple life of spraying baseballs to all fields, calling a good game and then hanging out with his old high school buddies.

Though, truth be told … well, you know. They long ago became accustomed to the fact that Joe’s the best in everything. But they sure do stay on the lookout.

“One of my high school buddies, right when we signed Brett Favre said, “Now you’re the second-best quarterback in Minnesota,” he says.

Mauer chuckles as he recalls the zinger.

“That was pretty good.”

Batting Lineup Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
The Fightin Phils have been so thoroughly successful over the past two seasons because they have a lineup with few easy outs and well-distributed power. From the grinders at the top of the lineup shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Shane Victorino to seventh and eighth hitters who dont give away at-bats newly-acquired third baseman Placido Polanco and veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz this team owns a roster of savvy performers who know how to compete, a skill that most baseball teams lack. The middle of the order with thumpers like Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth plus the pop of Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez rightly receives a lot of praise, but the big thing to realize about the Phillies is that with the possible exception of Ruiz in the eight hole, they can do damage from any position in their order.

Starting Pitching Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
MLB betting experts might say that history will work against the Phillies this year, and that point could well be true. Yet, it seems hard to deny the claim that Philadelphia will have the pitching needed to get to October and then make a deep run in the postseason. Cliff Lee might be a Seattle Mariner after carrying the Phils in the 2009 playoffs, but Roy Halladay has arrived from Toronto to become the teams new shut-down ace. Having Cole Hamels at the No. 2 spot is a mighty fine arrangement for Mr. Manuel and the rest of the Phils coaches.
If theres a question about this team, it will probably come from the back end of the starting rotation. J.A. Happ turned in a solid rookie season, but it remains to be seen if the young lefty can become as reliable as Hamels has been for the reigning National League champions. One also has to wonder if Jamie Moyer injured late last season can still twirl his change-up and baffle N.L. hitters with regularity. The prowess of right hander Joe Blanton, an underappreciated horse at the bottom of the rotation, will once again be tested in the upcoming 2010 season. If Philadelphia can play .500 ball in the games not started by Halladay, Hamels and Happ, the Phils should be in very good shape.

Bullpen Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
Theres no question that the back end of the bullpen became a big problem for Philly in September of last season, as Manuel was besieged by the local press in the City of Brotherly Love. The Phils folksy manager tried to get late-game outs every way he could, as regular closer Brad Lidge struggled after a literally perfect 2008 campaign in which he didnt blow a single save. Ryan Madson was sometimes asked to close down wins, but the righty has normally been an eighth-inning guy for the Phils. Why is this not as big a problem as one might think? The simple answer is that Lidge pitched over his head in 2008, and had a natural comedown in 2009. The verdict here is that the Phils will be solid in the pen for 2010.

Outlook Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
In terms of winning their division and making the playoffs, the Phils are a virtual shoo-in from an online betting standpoint. No team in the National League East can come close to the well-rounded quality Philadelphia can put on the field. However, as history shows, winning three straight N.L. pennants isnt easily achieved. The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers will be very motivated to take the flag away from Charlie Manuel and Co.

Projected Finish In Division: First in the NL East

Batting Lineup Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
The Fightin Phils have been so thoroughly successful over the past two seasons because they have a lineup with few easy outs and well-distributed power. From the grinders at the top of the lineup shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Shane Victorino to seventh and eighth hitters who dont give away at-bats newly-acquired third baseman Placido Polanco and veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz this team owns a roster of savvy performers who know how to compete, a skill that most baseball teams lack. The middle of the order with thumpers like Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth plus the pop of Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez rightly receives a lot of praise, but the big thing to realize about the Phillies is that with the possible exception of Ruiz in the eight hole, they can do damage from any position in their order.

Starting Pitching Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
MLB betting experts might say that history will work against the Phillies this year, and that point could well be true. Yet, it seems hard to deny the claim that Philadelphia will have the pitching needed to get to October and then make a deep run in the postseason. Cliff Lee might be a Seattle Mariner after carrying the Phils in the 2009 playoffs, but Roy Halladay has arrived from Toronto to become the teams new shut-down ace. Having Cole Hamels at the No. 2 spot is a mighty fine arrangement for Mr. Manuel and the rest of the Phils coaches.
If theres a question about this team, it will probably come from the back end of the starting rotation. J.A. Happ turned in a solid rookie season, but it remains to be seen if the young lefty can become as reliable as Hamels has been for the reigning National League champions. One also has to wonder if Jamie Moyer injured late last season can still twirl his change-up and baffle N.L. hitters with regularity. The prowess of right hander Joe Blanton, an underappreciated horse at the bottom of the rotation, will once again be tested in the upcoming 2010 season. If Philadelphia can play .500 ball in the games not started by Halladay, Hamels and Happ, the Phils should be in very good shape.

Bullpen Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
Theres no question that the back end of the bullpen became a big problem for Philly in September of last season, as Manuel was besieged by the local press in the City of Brotherly Love. The Phils folksy manager tried to get late-game outs every way he could, as regular closer Brad Lidge struggled after a literally perfect 2008 campaign in which he didnt blow a single save. Ryan Madson was sometimes asked to close down wins, but the righty has normally been an eighth-inning guy for the Phils. Why is this not as big a problem as one might think? The simple answer is that Lidge pitched over his head in 2008, and had a natural comedown in 2009. The verdict here is that the Phils will be solid in the pen for 2010.

Outlook Philadelphia Phillies Baseball betting
In terms of winning their division and making the playoffs, the Phils are a virtual shoo-in from an online betting standpoint. No team in the National League East can come close to the well-rounded quality Philadelphia can put on the field. However, as history shows, winning three straight N.L. pennants isnt easily achieved. The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers will be very motivated to take the flag away from Charlie Manuel and Co.

Projected Finish In Division: First in the NL East

Batting Lineup - New York Mets Baseball betting
It is believed the Mets are finished spending money, so we have a pretty solid idea of the lineup on opening day. Chances are, it will look something like this:
1. Angel Pagan CF A switch-hitter with serious speed, look for Pagan to occupy the lead spot.
2. Luis Castillo 2B Another switch-hitter, Castillo has proven time and again he can come through in a clinch. His ability on base makes up for his deficiencies in defense.
3. Jose Reyes SS Many observers do not like the idea of Jose Reyes in the three-spot, however the short stop will make it three switch-hitters in a row for the Mets - the top of the order spells trouble for many team’s pitching staff. Reyes also has serious power, something that will help the Mets in getting runs. If Reyes can stay healthy, there’s no telling what he can do in 2010. He only played 36 games in 2009 because of injury.
4. David Wright 3B With those three hitting in front of him, and Bay behind him, Wright can drive in 125 easily in 2010.
5. Jason Bay LF Fans of sports betting know that Bay is the lynchpin - in this position he gives the Mets the much needed power to replace Delgado.
6. Daniel Murphy 1B Look for Murphy to turn in another solid, workman-like performance this season.
7. Jeff Francoeur LF Francoeur’s presence shows the depth of this team. If he can continue his strong numbers from the second half of 2009, it will be a big year for Francoeur, who’s playing his first full season as a Met.
8. Rod Barajas C - Newly-acquired catcher Rod Barajas is a near certainty for the starting lineup.
Starting Pitching - New York Mets Baseball betting
The Mets’ pitching staff is in an interesting position. After the team walked the second most batters in the majors last season, the Mets need a stronger performance out of both their starters, and their men in the bullpen. It will be interesting to see where highly touted prospect Jenrry Mejia figures in. The prospect has been working the role of starter, however, many baseball betting observers feel the young pitcher would be better suited to a role as reliever. The starting pitching rotation for the New York Mets will look something like this:
1. Johan Santana
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Oliver Perez
4. John Maine
5. Jon Niese
While the fifth spot is still up for grabs, word from spring training is that if Niese continues to pitch like he did last summer, the fifth spot is his. Only time will tell if he is able to pitch like he did prior to his injury.

Bullpen - New York Mets Baseball betting
Reports indicate that the Mets are looking to add a left-handed pitcher to their bullpen, after the departure of Darren Oliver left the team without a solid second lefty to compliment Pedro Feliciano. Will Ohman and Joe Beimel have been named as possibilities, providing the team could get them to sign to deals similar to the one which netted the team catcher Rod Barajas.
As it stands, the bullpen looks like:
Bobby Parnell, Oliver Perez, Nelson Figueroa, Sean Green, and Jon Niese. It will be interesting to see if the Mets do add another body to the bullpen - and just what role they will occupy.

Outlook - New York Mets Baseball betting
The Mets need to solidify their pitching lineup. With the acquisition of Rod Barajas and the jumbling of the lineup to prevent disaster in the absence of Carlos Beltran, the Mets seem to have most of their ducks in a row. What happens now with the pitching staff will dictate the team’s overall level of success. Whether or not the team is able to bring in another effective arm to their bullpen will also be of significant impact. Unless something magical happens, look for the Mets to finish 2nd in their division.

P rojected Finish In Division:: 2nd in NL East

New York Yankees Odds Offense
The Yankees led the American League in runs, home runs, and they were second in RBIs, and its pretty likely theyll challenge for the lead in those categories again this year. They lost Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, a trio that combined for 65 homers, but Matsui and Damon are getting up there in years, and Cabrera will be replaced by Curtis Granderson, who made the All-Star team for the first time with Detroit. Granderson was eighth in the league in triples, and with Derek Jeter, gives the Yankees another good baserunner for the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Mark Texieira and new DH Nick Johnson to drive in. Hopefully, Nick Swisher can get out of the funk he was in during the postseason last year.

New York Yankees Odds Pitching
New Yorks sportsbook odds took a good shot when 37-year-old Andy Pettitte decided to come back after a phenomenal postseason in which he went 4-0 (including 2-0 in the World Series), and they also re-acquired Javier Vazquez from Atlanta (he spent 2004 in the Bronx). This gives some depth to a rotation that already has C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett at the top end, although Burnett is still volatile from start to start. Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes will battle for the fifth spot, again, and the Yankees are just hoping either is consistent enough to take it. Chad Gaudin and Damaso Marte are the top middle relievers, and Mariano Rivera is still one of the top 3-5 closers in the game until he shows otherwise.

New York Yankees Odds Manager
Joe Girardi added a ring as a manager to his three World Series rings while playing for the Yankees in 1996 to 1999, and his relationship with the core of Jeter, Pettitte, Rivera and Jorge Posada (Girardi mentored Posada behind the plate when he came through the system) was essential to this. Girardi let them lead this team, which wasnt easy with high expectations after they splashed out $423.5 million for Sabathia, Texieira and Burnett. The Yankees have pulled back the reins on the spending, but the expectations are still the same, and Girardi changed his uniform number from 27 to 28, in honor of the chase for the Yankees 28th title.

New York Yankees Odds Betting Prediction
The Yankees are still the World Series favorites in your sportsbook, as well as the American League favorites, and their main challengers will probably come within their own division, as their rivals from Boston wont go down easily, and Tampa Bay is always lurking in the background. Offensively, the Yankees can make up for the losses of Damon and Matsui if Swisher and Johnson pull their weight. Defensively, the Yankees dont get enough credit for being one of the best fielding teams in all of baseball. The starting pitching is improved, depending on the notoriously flaky Vazquez and Burnett, and the bullpen is deep. If the Yankees make it out of the American League East, they should have a clear path to the World Series.

Batting Lineup Boston Red Sox Baseball betting
Sportsbook odds makers know that the real reason why the Red Sox are a step behind the Yankees is the batting lineup. With Manny Ramirez gone and David Ortiz struggling last year, the Red Sox simply couldnt match up with the Yankees lineup. So whats changed?
The Red Sox did pick up Victor Martinez midseason and now theyll have him for a full year, which is a good start. Also, the Red Sox added Marco Scutaro to hit at the top of the lineup, and Adrian Beltre and Mike Cameron to the heart. While Scutaro is coming off an excellent season, well have to see if he can duplicate his success. Beltre is also a question mark after a horrible offensive season and while hes good defensively, the team may miss Mike Lowells bat.
The big difference maker has to be Ortiz. He had several awful months last year and the Red Sox need his big bat, especially now that Jason Bay is gone.
This is not a lineup looking for balance and depth all the way through opposed to relying on two big boppers like Ramirez and Ortiz with help around them.

Starting Pitching Boston Red Sox Baseball betting
While the Red Sox lineup has questions, the pitching staff has far less. The Red Sox starting rotation could be the best in all of baseball.
In addition to Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, the Red Sox signed John Lackey in the offseason. Throw in a potential rebound year from Daisuke Matsuzaka and youngster Clay Buchholz, who added 13 pounds in the offseason, and the Red Sox have a scary top five.
Tim Wakefield is still around to soak up some innings if necessary as well. MLB betting fans know this could very well be the best unit in all of the Majors.

Bullpen Boston Red Sox Baseball betting
The bullpen was a rock for the Red Sox in 2009 and they are hoping that it carries over in 2010. The reason they have that concern in the back of their minds is because the bullpen was a big flop in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Red Sox have some really good pieces here with up-and-comer Daniel Bard, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez. There isnt much to worry about here.

Outlook Boston Red Sox Baseball betting
Sports betting cappers know that once again, it will be the Yankees versus the Red Sox in the American League. While the pitching of both sides is very close maybe with the Red Sox receiving a slight edge there the Yankees have a big edge in batting, which should be the difference.
Also, the Red Sox will feel the pressure this year while the Yankees should be loose after winning it all last year. Unless injuries become a factor, the Red Sox will still be second-best in the Majors, in the American League and in their division.

Projected Finish In Division: Second in AL East

World Series predictions: Only a matter of time before Yankee fans get to Martinez

Pedro Martinezs road ERA this regular season was 5.66; his home ERA was 1.88
Andy Pettitte pitching well at home in the playoffs but Jayson Werth has his number
Pedro Martinez is winless in last five playoff starts against Yankees

Tonight, 7:57 p.m. ET
Phillies vs Yankees odds: Phillies +173, Yankees -208
Pedro Martinez (0-1, 4.50) vs Andy Pettitte (1-0, 6.00)

Time will tell if Charlie Manuel will regret not starting Cliff Lee on short rest in Game 4. If he had, Pedro Martinez couldve faced the Yankees at home in Game 5. At Citizens Bank Park this season, Pedros ERA was 1.88. On the road, it was 5.66. By holding Lee until Game 5, Manuel pushed Pedro to a road start in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. Martinez was adequate in the Bronx in Game 2, allowing three earned runs over six innings and striking out eight. He wasnt untouchable, however; Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui took him deep and Pedro was saddled with the loss, exiting the field to a chorus of Whos your daddy? chants form the Yankee faithful.

Its entirely possible that Pedros Game 2 effort was the best he can do at Yankee Stadium; considering that hes winless in his last six appearances and five starts versus the Yankees in the postseason, can online betting fans seriously expect a sparkling performance from him tonight?

In Andy Pettitte, the Yankees know what they have tonight. Hes reliable without being dominant at home. We know he struggles with the gopher ball lefty masher Jayson Werth tagged him for two deep flies in Game 3 but the sportsbook odds of a complete Pettitte implosion are slim. Hes comfortable at home and showed that in his lone Yankee Stadium start this postseason, holding the Angels to one run over 6.1 innings on October 25.

Free sport picks: Since the aging Martinez and Pettitte struggle to keep the ball in the park now, we should expect another high-scoring affair in Game 6. However, the decision to start Pedro on the road will be costly. He could totally crumble while Pettitte does just enough to give his team the lead late in the game. If the Yankees take a lead even into the eighth inning, theyll likely turn to Mariano Rivera for a two-inning save. If they do, the Fall Classic is all but over. Free Pick the Yankees to clinch tonight.

Phillies vs Yankees Free sports picks: Yankees -208

If the Phillies extend the series, check the Free sports picks tomorrow for more World Series predictions from Dale Lalonde at BetOnline.com.

Dale Lalonde is BetOnline.com’s MLB expert.

Tigers rookie second baseman Scott Sizemore is worth paying attention to. (AP) The problem: nowadays, even the lowliest of 25th-man aspirants is a known commodity. Assuming you have a baseball IQ that registers in the low double-digits, there is nothing you can learn about a during spring training that will in any way affect his draftability, unless he shatters a tibia or joins the Chechen separatist movement.

Hence I present a compilation of . Ignore them. Skip over their blurbs in baseball magazines and annuals. Focus on what you don’t know, not what you do.

Catcher

Matt Wieters, Orioles: He’ll either be good, very good or very, very, very good this season. He’ll still go four rounds too high, owing to his esteemed status among prospect fetishists and that he’ll be more fun to draft than last year’s behind-the-mask wonderboy, Geovany Soto. Just nod your head, say “good pick” and move on, man. Just move on.

Instead … Look west. Russell Martin of the Dodgers arrived at spring training in far different shape than he did in 2009, when he appeared to have spent the offseason interning at Ragu. His newfound conditioning should help him stay strong during the play-everyday-always catcher boot camp that is a Joe Torre-run team. Then there’s the Angels’ Mike Napoli, who does bad, bad things to left-handed pitchers. If Mike Scioscia can stop crushing on Jeff Mathis and his ability to commune telepathically with members of the pitching and coaching staffs, Napoli could be the rare 25-dinger dude behind the plate.

First base

James Loney, Dodgers: In the best-case scenario, he’s Mark Grace minus the high batting aver in any league with fewer than 18 teams, you shouldn’t settle fo there’s no reason to gamble that Loney will pull one of those age-26-season power spikes out of his … uh, bat.

Instead … Hold your nose. Owning Billy Butler will necessarily require you to follow, watch or even root for the Kansas City Royals. There will be days this season when the Royals trot out a lineup that includes Scott Podsednik, Jason Kendall, Yuniesky Betancourt and Jose Guillen (that’s an at the end of that sentence, not an ). Anyway, Butler has scoreboard-shattering power and won’t turn 24 until next month. Watch him this spring in the small chance that there will be enough OBP around him in the lineup to juice his counting stats.

Second base

Ben Zobrist, Rays: Can he turn in a repeat performance? Will he once again betray his utility-piffle lineage and earn MVP consideration (though nowhere near as much as he deserves, because his last name isn’t Morneau)? It doesn’t matter. Some owner will catch wind of the .948 2009 OPS and the joint 2B/OF eligibility, and take Zobrist off the board a few picks after Ian Kinsler disappears. Congratulate that owner on this joyous occasion. Candlesticks always make a nice gift.

Instead … shoot for Zobrist-lite. Scott Sizemore has a guaranteed gig and, if everything plays out this month, could find himself hitting between Johnny Damon and the newly hooch-free Miguel Cabrera near the top of the Tigers lineup. Just be wary ankled him last fall.

Third base

Chone Figgins, Mariners: What we know: He steals a bunch of bases at a medium-percentage clip; he has relocated to a home stadium that suppresses offense; his 101 walks in 2009 exceeded his previous career best by 36; and human beings tend to get slower, not faster, as they enter their mid-30s. These are not state secrets.

Instead … Panic. The third-base player pool is as devoid of big-ish names as the second-base one, and lacks a redemptive smattering of speed guys. In the parallel universe that is Fantasy baseball, quick and slappy second basemen will have more value than their plodding low-round brethren on the left side of the diamond. Invest early in one of the elite six (A-Rod, Longoria, Wright, Zimmerman, Sandoval, Youkilis), is what I’m trying to say.

Shortstop

Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: He’s ha the first three months of 2 and somehow this landed him on many a decline-phase list. Don’t overthink this. The only shortstop that ranks as a more reliable 20/20 bet is Florida’s Hanley Ramirez.

Instead … Check out the primo rebound candidates. Neither Arizona’s Stephen Drew nor Alexei Ramirez of the White Sox performed anywhere near as well in 2009 as their late-2008 surges suggested they might. At the same time, both saw notable improvement i a lingering hamstri that helps explain the drop-off. I wouldn’t bet on Drew or Ramirez matching Derek Jeter’s numbers in 2010, but I wouldn’t bet against it, either.

Outfield

A. McCutchen (Getty Images) Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: Last year’s super-sleeper is this year’s over-hypee, and the Paul O’Neill impression Choo pulled off in 2009 likely represents his ceiling. Mind those strikeouts, will you?

Instead … Turn your sad gaze to the loserhead franchises in the NL Central. Pittsburgh has an under-the-radar multi-category guy in Andrew McCutchen, while Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce and Houston’s Hunter Pence have lost their new-kid-on-the-block sheen in the minds of many potential owners. Watch all three to ensure that they receive batting-order placement commensurate with their run-prod Cincy’s Dusty Baker, still unable to distinguish between a guy who gets on base 29 percent of there’s reason for concern.

Starting pitcher

Josh Beckett, Red Sox: There’s worry in certain dim corners of Red Sox Nation that Beckett might be troubled by his pending free agency, specifically that the team may have already inked his replacement in the form of one John Lackey. But really, does Beckett strike you as the kind of guy who concerns himself with anything beyond basic human necessities (food, shelter, form-fitting Ed Hardy T-shirts, etc.)? He works hard and will practice his craft in front of an elite defensive team. Good things will follow, as they usually do.

Instead … Monitor every pitch thrown by guys on the cusp of acedom, especially Detroit’s Max Scherzer. As a bat-missing sort, he shouldn’t be hampered by the mostly slow and instinct-free defenders behind him. Yes, his innings count jumped sharply in 2009, plus he leaves the warm womb of the bunt-happy NL for the considerably less forgiving AL. I’m bullish nonetheless.

Reliever

Mariano Rivera, Yankees: He will pitch somewhere between six and nine innings before camp breaks. Afterwards, with the humility and inner calm usually attributed to Buddhist clergymen, he will proclaim that he “felt good out there.” There is little he might do that could surprise us.

Instead … Pay no attention at all. Any reliever co by my count, there are only 10 laser-etched into that role is only two April blowups away from middle relief or a demotion to the minors. Wait until somebody gets hurt or hot, then pounce.

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder was the target of apparent retaliation on Thursday when he was hit by the first pitch from San Francisco left-hander Barry Zito in the first inning of a 5-3 victory by the Giants on Thursday.

The Giants had been simmering since Sept. 6, when Fielder celebrated a walk-off home run against them at Milwaukees Miller Park by acting like a bowling ball and knocking over his teammates, who fell like bowling pins.

There had been talk that payback might occur.

My fastball was running in and it just got away from me, Zito said. Its not like weve thought about the-celebration for months and months.

Zito didnt seem worried about possible discipline. Plate umpire Ted Barrett issued no warnings after Fielder was hit. Fielder ambled toward first base, tossing the ball lightly toward Zito and clapping his hands when he reached the bag.

I dont even know about those things, said Zito.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said it was time to let bygones be bygones, focus on the game and move on. Were trying to get ready for the season and put it behind us.

Fielder might not be so quick to forget. He said he didnt expect to be hit, but was irritated by what occurred. After the latest heavily scrutinized incident with a pitcher, Fielder said he is working on growing up.

If thats what they gotta do, let them hit me once, if it makes them feel better, said Fielder, who has a home run, double and four RBI in 12 career at-bats against Zito.

Taking one for the team was worth the celebration, he added. He knows a lot of people portray him as a villain. He admitted that he is tired of being the bad guy, but he will continue to play the game with as much gusto as he can.

Any time something happens, Im always the one who is videotaped, he said.

I play the game hard, run hard, and after that, I dont care what anybody is thinking, except for my teammates.

He apparently doesnt always care what Brewers manager Ken Macha is thinking.

After a fifth-inning single, Macha instructed Joe Inglett to run for Fielder, but Fielder waved Inglett back to the dugout. Macha said something to Fielder at the end of the inning.

I was just trying to work on my baserunning, Fielder said, adding that Macha was cool with what he did.

The Giants did not have a hit through the first four innings before overcoming a 3-0 deficit with four runs in the fifth. Andres Torres RBI single put the Giants in front, and Kevin Frandsens single brought home an insurance run in the eighth.
Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks looked strong after missing much of last season with an injured left wrist. He had two hits and drove in two runs.
Giants reserve INF Emmanuel Burriss will be sidelined indefinitely after injuring his left foot in the opener against Seattle on Wednesday. It is the same foot that was broken last season and he is on crutches.
Giants non-roster OF Thomas Neal is expected to return to action against Colorado on Friday after being hit in the head by a pitch against Seattle.