Five Players To Watch In The National League

Sportsbook players are anxiously waiting the beginning of the MLB season, and it’s been a busy offseason in terms of injuries and signings. Here’s a look at five players that will have an effect on their team’s World Series odds this season.

Jose Reyes, New York Mets

The Mets badly missed Reyes, who played just 36 games last year thanks to calf and thigh injuries, at the top of the lineup. His speed and ability to get on base was huge to the Mets before last year, and a return to form by Reyes may be more important than the return of Carlos Beltran, especially as their rivals in the East, Philadelphia, made a move to keep them at the top of the division.

Roy Halladay, Philadelphia

In the move of the offseason, Toronto finally traded away their ace and 2003 Cy Young winner who probably could have had a couple of more awards. Halladay has been arguably the best pitcher in the majors over the last decade, and he seems to be getting better with age: his last two seasons have been the best of his career, ERA-wise, and he’s hurled 18 complete games in that time. Halladay instantly makes the Phillies the sports betting favorites in the National League, because quite simply, he pitched so well for years in the American League East with the Red Sox and Yankees, He could very well dominate the National League.

Brandon Webb, Arizona

Speaking of dominant NL pitchers, Webb won the Cy Young in 2006 and had 22 wins in 2008. However, he managed just one start in 2009, lasting four innings on Opening Day before going down with a shoulder injury. Webb is just playing catch now and there’s no timetable as to when he’ll even throw off a mound, but if the Diamondbacks could get Webb back to combine with Dan Haren, Arizona will be a problem.

Marlon Byrd, Chicago

Byrd came from Texas to replace Milton Bradley, and while he may not improve the Cubs’ US sportsbook odds (US sportsbook review) too much, he’ll improve the attitude in the clubhouse tenfold. At 32 years old, Byrd had career highs in homers and RBIs last year in the batter-friendly confines of the Great American Ballpark in Arlington, but he’ll have to get used to playing outfield at Wrigley Field, with its swirling winds.

Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles

No one may have been more inconsistent than Billingsley, who was 9-4 with a 3.38 ERA in the first half of the season, but then 3-7 with a 5.20 ERA in the second half, and he was taking out of the rotation for the playoffs. Billingsley, when he is on, is one of the top young pitchers of the game, but you have to wonder last season has done to his confidence. You wouldn’t want to pick a team in the NCAA tournament that has solid 2010 March Madness odds, and we’ll watch Billingsley closey this year.