baseball betting

Compared to American football and basketball in the United States, college tournaments play a less important part in baseball, while the minor league structure is more important. College baseball is played on the intercollegiate rank at institutions of higher education in the US.

On July 1, 1859 the first known intercollegiate baseball game took place in Pittsfield, Massachusetts among squads representing Amherst College and Williams College. Amherst won, 73-32.

As with other intercollegiate sports, most college baseball is played under the sponsorship of the National Collegiate Athletic Association or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The final rounds of the NCAA competition are known as the College World Series and it is held on each of the three levels of competition sanctioned by the NCAA. The College World Series take place in Omaha, Nebraska in June after the regular season is over.

The rules of college baseball are considerably similar to the Official Baseball Rules. Only for the following exceptions:

* The designated hitter rule is used. A player may serve as both pitcher and DH at the same time and may remain in one position when removed in the other.
* The bat may be made of wood or of aluminum or a metal or composite material that meets NCAA standards.
* The second half or both ends, of a doubleheader are usually seven innings in length. A mercy rule may be in use.
While the Dodgers may end up with the best record in baseball, they haven't been impressive in the second half of the season. Since starting 56-32, the Dodgers are just 37-34 the rest of the way. Their starting pitching is very questionable and their bullpen has some concerns. This team is shaky.

Colorado Rockies

No team will be taken less seriously in the playoffs than the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies are easily the weakest in the pitching department and we all know that it takes pitching to win it all.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers are pitted up against the New York Yankees in round one and not many people see them getting by. MLB predictions all favor the Yankees to advance rather easily. The Tigers would need a miracle to get into the second round.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels do what they always do: win the American League West rather easily and then lose in the first round of the playoffs. Again they face Boston and again that means bad news for them.

Contenders:

Philadelphia Phillies

We don't really need to spend much time on this one. The Phillies have Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels at the top of the rotation and they have four 30 home run hitters in the lineup. There are some closer concerns, but with Brett Myers and Pedro Martinez on the roster, they should be able to alleviate any worries.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals have a fairly good one-two punch in their starting staff as well with Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. Joel Pineiro may be the best No. 3 starter around too. With Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday in the lineup, this could be the most complete team in the postseason.

New York Yankees

You won't find a sports betting blog rooting for the Yankees, but they are the team to beat in the playoffs. Their batting lineup is very dangerous from top to bottom and their starting rotation has enough firepower to get the job done. Until someone upends them, they are going to be the favorite.