Top Five Players To Watch In The American League

Sports betting players are getting ready for the upcoming 2010 MLB season, and teams will be aiming to dethrone the New York Yankees, who went on to beat Philadelphia in the World Series. Here’s a look at five players who will impact their team’s chances this year.

Ben Sheets, Oakland

Sheets is a four-time All-Star, but he was allowed to test the free-agent market after another season with an injury. Sheets signed a one-year, $10 million deal with Oakland, and he can be an ace in the rotation if he can manage to stay healthy, something that he hasn’t been able to do over the last four years.

Jon Rauch, Minnesota

Rauch joined the Twins from Arizona in the offseason, but he’s been thrust into the midst of the Minnesota bullpen after it was revealed that Joe Nathan has a tear in his elbow. The Twins were expected to battle Detroit and Chicago for the Central Division title, but now, they don’t have a closer. The bullpen was the Twins’ strength last year, and Rauch is the best candidate to take over for Nathan.

Shaun Marcum, Toronto

Marcum has missed the last year and a half because of Tommy John surgery, but he seems to back and healthy. Not a moment too soon for the Blue Jays, who traded ace Roy Halladay to Philadelphia in the offseason. Marcum got All-Star consideration in 2007, but the injury slowed his progress, and he’ll definitely be on a pitch count, at least to start the season. Marcum’s ability to come back will be huge to the Blue Jays’ US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook reviews).

Josh Hamilton, Texas

Hamilton was being tipped as the next big thing after his performance in the Home Run Derby in 2008, and he ended the season with 32 dingers. But he battled injuries last year, limiting him to 10 homers in 89 games, and he also had a shoulder injury during this offseason. The Rangers’ offense has been one of the best in the American League over the past couple of years, and a return to form by Hamilton would put them over the top.

David Price, Tampa Bay

Arguably the most anticipated young pitcher in the last five to ten years, Price was put on a leash in his rookie year, going 10-7 with a 4.42 ERA, and he was all over the place, looking like a Cy Young winner in one start, then not being able to make it to the fourth inning in his next outing. The Rays have a young but talented staff, and Price may be the most talented of them all. He also may have a special interest in these 2010 March Madness odds: Price spent three years at Vanderbilt, winning the national Player of the Year award.