MLB Betting Preview: Brandon Webb Gets the Call

Brandon Webb opens for the Diamondbacks. (AI Wire photo)

You can do worse than starting your World Series bid with the Cy Young award winner on the mound. The Arizona Diamondbacks have that luxury as Brandon Webb gets the call when the National League Division Series begins Wednesday.

The D-backs are -144 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $144 would net a $100 profit).

The Cubs counter with Carlos Zambrano, who was a key offseason acquisition. Prior to the beginning his Cubs career, Zambrano predicted he would win the Cy Young this year. He got off to a slow start, argued with teammates then settled down to have a strong finish as the Cubs caught the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central title.

Still, bettors like Webb at home in this one, which begins at 10 p.m. ET.

In the other National League Game 1 on Wednesday:

Colorado (Jeff Francis) at Philadelphia (Cole Hamels): A lefthanded power pitcher like Hamels is tough in ordinary circumstances. The situation for the Rockies is unquestionably unordinary. They come off their 13-inning, history-making win over San Diego Monday night and travel to Philadelphia to take on the torrid Phillies. Philadelphia is 4-0 in Hamels' last four starts, making things more difficult for the Rockies. But Colorado proved it should never be counted out. Francis was 17-9 in the regular season and one quirky fact is in his favor: The Rockies are 5-0 when he starts on a Wednesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.

In the American League:

Los Angeles (John Lackey) at Boston (Josh Beckett): The Red Sox have the luxury of starting the winningest pitcher in the majors in 2007 in Game 1. Beckett was 20-7 and gets the ball in the opener at Fenway Park (6:30 p.m. ET). Lackey, though, is no slouch. He was 19-9 and has had excellent performances in the postseason in the past. The Red Sox are heavy favorites as the baseball world eagerly anticipates another showdown with the Yankees in the ALCS.

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