Did Bautista's MVP bid fall short again?

Baseball Betting Lines

09/29/2011 - Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The American League has a number of worthy MVP candidates likely to garner consideration, but the real race is between two players whose teams did not make the playoffs -- Jose Bautista and Jacoby Ellsbury.

But before anything else, to clear up any confusion over the definition of the MVP, here is what the Baseball Writers' Association of America says on its official website:

"There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means. It is up to the individual voter to decide who was the Most Valuable Player in each league to his team. The MVP need not come from a division winner or other playoff qualifier."

With that out of the way, here is what someone without a vote has to say about this year's MVP candidates.

Last season, out of nowhere, Bautista took the baseball world by storm after hitting a major league-leading 54 home runs. Some thought it was a fluke, and some thought the Blue Jays made a risky investment by locking him up for five years at $65 million after one good season. Well, he has proved both of those parties wrong, and has had an even more impressive season despite hitting "only' 43 home runs, also the major league lead.

Bautista finishes the season as the major league-leader in homers, walks (132), slugging (.608), on-base plus slugging (1.056) and at-bats-per-home run ratio (11.9), while finishing second in on-base percentage (.447). Among AL players, he finished in the top-10 in RBI (103), runs scored (105), walk-to- strikeout ratio (1.19) and total bases (312). The slugger also hit .302 after hitting a pedestrian .260 in 2010. And for the sabermetric crowd, according to baseball-reference.com, Bautista was worth 8.6 wins above replacement (WAR), which is a tool that encompasses offense and defense into a single number to represent how many wins a player adds to his team compared to a replacement- level player.

It's hard to argue that Bautista hasn't been the best player in the AL this season, at least from an offensive standpoint. He has gone from a journeyman to a power hitter to a superstar in two years, and is an extremely disciplined hitter (132 walks to 111 strikeouts). He's also been valuable defensively, as he's shifted from right field to third base and back seamlessly, and flashes one of the games best arms from right field.

With that said, will Bautista's gaudy power numbers be enough to topple Ellsbury for the MVP Award?

Like Bautista, Ellsbury's jump in statistical production is thoroughly impressive, as is his bounce back from a 2010 season that was almost entirely wiped out -- he played 18 games last year. In the only two full seasons he played before 2011, Ellsbury had never hit more than nine homers, driven in more than 60 runs and his single-season career highs in slugging and OPS were .415 and .770 respectively. He was a good hitter, with plus speed who played a superb center field. But this year, he has added power.

The Red Sox's dynamic center fielder had 32 home runs, 105 RBI, a .552 slugging percentage and an OPS of .928. He's still running (39 stolen bases), hitting for average (.321) and playing great defense at one of the game's premier positions. And now, he's one of the games premier players, who does everything.

Ellsbury was the best player on a star-studded Red Sox team, and flashed the best combination of power and speed in the AL this year. The 28-year-old was the only player in the majors this season to hit at least .300 with 200 hits, 100 runs scored, 30 homers, 100 RBI and 30 stolen bases. He's also the first player since Alfonso Soriano and Vladimir Guerrero, in 2002, to accomplish the feat.

The fact Ellsbury didn't lead in as many offensive categories as Bautista shouldn't hurt his MVP bid. This award doesn't go to the player who leads in the most meaningful offensive categories, although it helps, and isn't handed to the player with the highest WAR. Ellsbury did however, lead the majors in total bases (364) and extra-base hits (83), and finished with the second highest WAR (7.2) among position players in the AL.

He was among the top-five leaders in the AL in hits (212), batting average, OPS, runs scored (119), doubles (46), home runs and stolen bases. Ellsbury was also a top-10 leader in RBI and slugging percentage. Like Bautista, Ellsbury did a lot of everything and played some of his best ball of the season when the Red Sox needed him most. In the end, it didn't matter, as the Red Sox, like the Blue Jays, won't be playing baseball again until 2012. And Ellsbury shouldn't win this award based on the highlights that he provided in September, but he should win the award for his across-the-board-production throughout the entire season.

Bautista came back down to earth after an otherworldly first half of the season. His second half wasn't anything to sneeze at, but his slugging percentage and OPS were over 200 points lower post All-Star Game, largely due to a rough September.

Ellsbury did the opposite, and had a massive second half, hitting .328/.375/.625 with 21 homers and 56 RBI, including a .358/.400/.667 line with eight homers and 21 RBI in September. What's even more remarkable about Ellsbury's season is that he's a leadoff hitter. He set the pace for the Red Sox game in, game out, and provided more power than just about any middle-of- the-order bat in the game, while still acting like a true leadoff hitter -- he had the second best OBP (.381) when hitting out of the leadoff spot among players who took more than half their at-bats in the top spot of the order.

From start to finish, there wasn't a better or more dynamic player in the AL than Ellsbury. If this award was handed out in the first half, Bautista would have won in a landslide, and the fact that he should finish as the runner-up, only solidifies the type of season he had. Bautista has truly become one of the game's most feared hitters, the AL version of Albert Pujols.

Traditional and advanced statistics might show that Bautista was the most impressive offensive player in the AL this season, but just like last year, it won't be enough for him to win the award.

Jacoby Ellsbury is your 2011 AL MVP.

Honorable mention goes out to former teammates Curtis Granderson and Justin Verlander, who are both likely to get first-place votes as well.

Worldcupbets Baseball Betting News

<< ALDS Preview - Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's no surprise that the New York Yankees are back in the postseason for the 16th time in the last 17 years. However, it is a surprise that the Yankees not only won their 12th American League East title in that span, but th

<< ALDS Preview - Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Maybe there is something to this destiny thing. The Tampa Bay Rays certainly hope so, as they continue their improbable run in a rematch of last year's American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers B

<< Dolphins claim Slaton off waivers
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Dolphins claimed running back Steve Slaton off waivers form the Houston Texans Thursday. A third-round pick in the 2008 draft, Slaton enjoyed a successful rookie campaign, rushing for 1,282 ya

<< White Sox acquire two players to complete Ozzie Guillen trade
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago White Sox have acquired right- handed pitcher Jhan Marinez and infielder Ozzie Martinez from the Florida Marlins in exchange for right-hander Ricardo Andres. The transaction was agreed u

<< MLB announces 2011 Division Series umpires
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Major League Baseball has announced its umpiring crews for the upcoming Division Series matchups. Gerry Davis will be the crew chief for the AL Division Series between the Detroit Tigers and New Yo

Blackhawks' Stalberg out three weeks >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Blackhawks forward Viktor Stalberg will likely miss three weeks of action with a lower-body injury, according to head coach Joel Quenneville. Stalberg left Wednesday's preseason win over the Red Wings

Indians exercise 2013 option on manager Acta >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians have exercised their 2013 club option on manager Manny Acta. Indians general manager Chris Antonetti made the announcement Thursday, one day after the team finished Acta's second s

New Orleans to host 2012 Arena Bowl >>
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Orleans will host the 2012 Arena Bowl, the AFL announced Thursday. Arena Bowl XXV will be played at New Orleans Arena, home of the AFL's VooDoo and the NBA's Hornets. It will be the fifth big s

Padres fire Ready as hitting coach >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres have fired hitting coach Randy Ready, general manager Jed Hoyer announced Thursday. Ready, a former major league utilityman, was hired as Padres hitting coach during the 2009 season

Dodgers' Gordon named NL Rookie of the Month >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon was named National League Rookie of the Month for September. Gordon hit .372 with seven doubles, one triple, six RBI, 21 runs scored and 12 stolen bases in 26 games

MySportsbook.com favors Bears, Bengals, Chargers and Colts to remain perfect

LAS VEGAS , Sept. 28 - Two big match-ups of undefeated teams have fans salivating at the Week Four schedule in the NFL. The Chicago Bears stifling defense looks to provide a less than hospitable welcome to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night in a battle of two 3-0 teams in the NFC conference. In the AFC, the San Diego Chargers (2-0) head to Maryland to face the surprising Baltimore Ravens (3-0) as both try to keep pace atop the conference standings. Betting Lines makers at MySportsbook.com, online sportsbook and casino, have set the Bears as 3.5 point favorites while the Chargers are a 2.5 point bet.

Of the three remaining undefeated teams, only one, New Orleans, enters this week's game as an underdog. Despite an emotional and resounding win over Atlanta on Monday night, the Saints are a 7.5 point underdog against the struggling Carolina Panthers. Indianapolis looks to stay perfect when they face the New York Jets as a 9 point road favorite while the Cincinnati Bengals are a 6 point favorite at home to the New England Patriots.

Six teams enter the week still looking for their first win, with a seventh, Tampa Bay, on a bye week. The prospect of dropping another game would not bode well for a potential playoff run. Since 1990, just three teams -- the 1992 Chargers, 1995 Detroit Lions and 1998 Buffalo Bills -- have overcome losing their first three games of the season to earn a postseason berth. And only the Chargers managed to accomplish the feat after starting 0-4.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.

American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6  

The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.

Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com.  "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.

It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis.  It's like Week 1 of the NFL.  Pre-season means nada!

We do know the 24 finalists however.

Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24.  He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway.  He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien. 

Brandon Rogers - Who?

Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition.  He should go a good distance.

Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was.  And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition.  He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice!  People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way. 

"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks.  He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes.  But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.

A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”

Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes. 

"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate.  "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past.  He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far.  Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."

Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts) 

And the others:

Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter

The girls

"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis.  "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has.  The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive.  I think she will go far."

Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.

"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams.  Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth.  "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.

Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.

Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.

Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan

MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with). 

Last two contestants will be?

1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.