Sportsbook.com
Offers World Baseball Classic Odds
Now that Cuba has been given
clearance to participate in the World Baseball
Classic, Sportsbook.com is the first online
sportsbook and casino to offer odds on the much
hyped event which will take place in the United
States, Puerto Rico and Japan from March 3-20,
2006. Odds makers have listed the United States
and the Dominican Republic as co-favorites at
6-5 to win the event.
The
United States, led by superstars like Dontrelle
Willis, Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter and Johnny
Damon, and playing all their potential games
at home, are a natural pick to take home the
trophy. But competition will be fierce, especially
from teams like the Dominican Republic, who
count on Miguel Tejada, Bartolo Colon, Vladimir
Guerrero and David Ortiz to mount a strong charge.
Bobby
Abreu and Miguel Cabrera lead Venezuela, a 7-1
bet, while Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado
do battle for Puerto Rico, whose odds are 9-1.
Also at 9-1 is Japan, who boasts perhaps the
best pure hitter in baseball in Ichiro Suzuki.
Chinese
Taipei (15-1), Korea (20-1) and Cuba (25-1)
round out the top half of the favorites in the
16 team field.
"Our
baseball fans are tremendously excited about
this event. It's the first time a true world
series has taken place and fans can see the
world's best compete for their countries,"
said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com.
"When it comes to national pride everybody
likes to bet on the outcome. This event will
really go a long way in finally determining
who the real power is in baseball."
The
World Baseball Classic divides the 16 teams
into four round robin pool's consisting of four
teams. China, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Korea
comprise Pool A and will play their games in
Japan. Pool B games feature Canada, Mexico,
South Africa and the United States playing their
games in Arizona. Pool C games will be played
in Puerto Rico and will include Cuba, the Netherlands,
Panama and Puerto Rico. Finally, Pool D will
consist of Australia, the Dominican Republic,
Italy and Venezuela playing in Florida.
The
one game final will be played at Petco Park
in San Diego on Monday, March 20 in San Diego.
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