posted March 16, 2009 at 15:45 EST in Other Free Picks
WBC Pool 2 Pick - Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico
Venezuela and Puerto Rico will battle tonight at Dolphin Stadium in a second round matchup that promises to be a flat-out thriller for BetUS WBC baseball betting buffs.
Venezuela is coming off a 3-1 win over the Netherlands on Saturday in a tight ballgame in which they managed just three hits. Thankfully, two of those hits were home runs and the other, a triple by Endy Chavez.
Puerto Rico pounded Team USA in its 11-1 win on Saturday, invoking the 10-run mercy rule in the process.
Puerto Rico has a powerful lineup that includes Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Alex Rios, Ivan Rodriguez, Geovany Soto and Felipe Lopez but Venezuela also has its share of MLB stars, including Miguel Cabrera, Bobby Abreu, Magglio Ordonez and Ramon Hernandez.
A couple of big leaguers will also take the hill for their respective ballclubs on Monday night with Venezuela starting Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners and Puerto Rico countering with Ian Snell of the Pirates.
Puerto Rico is 4-0 in the World Baseball Classic, while Venezuela is 3-1.
Here is a look at the game’s odds, followed by analysis and WBC Free Picks.
- Venezuela +1½ -225
- Puerto Rico -1½ +175
- Over 10½ -115
- Under 10½ -105
Analysis: While Venezuela has played extraordinary baseball throughout the entire WBC, I like Puerto Rico to win this contest and advance to the next round, with their near all-star caliber lineup of MLB players.
With two fantastic starting pitchers taking the hill tonight, I think the best wager for this contest will likely be the Under 10½ runs as well.
WBC Free Picks: Under 10½ Total Runs/Puerto Rico 5 Venezuela 3
