Canada well-represented at 2010 MLB All-Star Game

Baseball Betting Lines

07/12/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Blue Jays will send three of their starting nine to the 81st MLB All-Star Game, after hitting a major-league leading 136 home runs in the first half.

Toronto's All-Star representatives of Vernon Wells, Jose Bautista and John Buck have combined to hit 56 of those homers, as the Jays sit in fourth place in the American League East with a 44-45 record. The three All-Stars are the most the Jays have sent to the Mid-Summer Classic since five were selected to take part in the 2006 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh. That event also featured Wells, who looks to be finally living up to the seven-year, $126 million contract former general manager J.P. Ricciardi inked him to in 2006.

Wells has not been running as much this season as in years past (four stolen bases, after swiping 17 in 2009), but the Gold Glove outfielder has provided stellar defense in addition to some pop in the middle of the lineup. The 31- year-old is on the verge of reaching 20 home runs, after doing so just once in the past three seasons, despite five-straight campaigns of 20 or more from 2002-2006. Wells will also be one of eight players taking part in the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday night. Wells started off the year on a tear but has since seen his average dip to .265, to go along with 19 homers, 49 RBI and 46 extra-base hits, good for fourth most in the majors this season. Oddly enough, the center fielder is hitting just .186 against lefties, continuing a downward spiral from last season, when he hit a measly .206 against southpaws after hitting above .300 against lefthanders in four straight seasons.

Bautista, meanwhile, has been a pleasant surprise for the Jays this year, possessing skills that extend far beyond just pop in his bat. Heading into the break, Bautista carries in a major-league leading 24 home runs and his 54 walks are tied for tops in the AL with Oakland A's first basemen Daric Barton. Despite showing flashes of power throughout his career, dating back to his days with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bautista has already eclipsed his previous best of 16 home runs in 2006. Bautista has been on a home run tear since the end of last season, when he hit 10 of his 13 homers during his final 23 games. While Bautista's average remains a dismal .237, he continues to show strong plate discipline by piling on the walks and providing great defense wherever he plays (third base or right field). His seven outfield assists place him in a three- way tie for second among right fielders, despite playing just 57 games at the position.

Buck, the Blue Jays' starting catcher, earned the right to play in Anaheim by leading all AL catchers in RBI with 41 and ranking second in home runs with 13. The backstop is also sporting a respectable .272 batting average, which includes a whopping .400 average against lefties. The 30-year-old catcher is playing for his second big league organization after spending six years in Kansas City and is well on his way to surpassing career bests in home runs (18) and runs batted in (50). Like fellow teammate Bautista, this will be Buck's first All-Star Game appearance.

CANADIAN MADE

Joey Votto: With Votto down to his last lifeline in order to make the All- Star Game, the fans got it right and selected him as the last player to represent the National League on July 13th. Votto's .314-22-60 line has him in serious contention to make a run at the Triple Crown in the second half of the season. The 26-year-old Canadian will be making his first All-Star appearance and will be joining teammates Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen and Arthur Rhodes at the Mid-Summer Classic. The Cincinnati Reds were rewarded with four representatives for their strong play in the first half, as they hold the division lead in the National League Central.

Justin Morneau: The 29-year-old slugger suffered a mild concussion during a game against the Blue Jays last week, which will prevent him from participating in the All-Star Game festivities. Morneau's injury does not seem to be too serious, and the Minnesota Twins are likely taking a cautious approach to avoid a further setback. This was the first year Morneau had been selected as the AL starting first basemen and the fourth all-star appearance of his career. He remains one of the game's most consistent hitters and is batting .345, with 18 home runs and 56 RBI, placing him among the AL leaders in all three categories.

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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

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