Swinging the Big Stick – Who Will be the Home Run King

From ‘A-Roid’ to ‘Fat Albert’ Pujols and ‘country strong’ Ryan Howard, the 2009 MLB home run race is sure be a thriller on the field and in the BetOnline Sportsbook where MLB betting fanatics can get the most bettor-friendly MLB Odds anywhere in the inline sports wagering industry.

Here is a look at some of the top contenders for the 2009 MLB Home Run title, followed by my in-depth analysis on the contenders and pretenders and prediction on which player I believe will take home the ‘long ball title’.

Adam Dunn+2000

Albert Pujols+2000

Alex Rodriguez+700

Alfonso Soriano+3000

Aramis Ramirez+6000

Carlos Delgado+10000

Carlos Lee+5000

Carlos Pena+5000

Chase Utley+6000

David Ortiz+4000

David Wright+5000

Derek Lee+10000

Evan Longoria+800

Hanley Ramirez+6000

Jim Thome+5000

Josh Hamilton+3000

Lance Berkman +6000

Manny Ramirez+4000

Mark Teixeira +3000

Miguel Cabrera+2500

Prince Fielder +1200

Ryan Howard+350

Ryan Zimmerman+10000

Troy Glaus+10000

Vladimir Guerrero+10000

Any Other +1000

Check out the complete Home Run Odds list in the BetOnline Sportsbook MLB Futures section.

Analysis: Home run numbers were down last season as Phillies ‘country strong’ first baseman Ryan Howard led the league for the second time in three seasons with 48 dingers, easily besting second place finisher Adam Dunn who hit 40.

Carlos Delgado (38), Ryan Braun (37), Miguel Cabrera (37), Ryan Ludwick (37), Albert Pujols (37), Adrian Gonzalez (36), Carlos Quentin (36), and Alex Rodriguez (35) round out last season’s top ten home run hitters.

I’ll keep my pick simple for this upcoming season’s home run race by saying I absolutely love Phillies’ first baseman Ryan Howard who has won the home run title in two of the last three season’s and came in the second lace the only season he didn’t.

With MLB clearly taking a ‘no-tolerance’ stance against performance enhancing drugs (after decades of allowing its rampant use) I think Howard, pr a similar player with ‘natural’ strength, will once again go back to winning this award on an annual basis.

Of course, I think other players like Albert Pujols (if he can stay healthy) Carlos Delgado, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, have a legitimate shot to overtake the free-swinging Howard, but in the end, he’s my pick. The +350 odds also offer MLB bettors a solid profitable return.

My favorite long shot on the board is L.A. Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, at +10000. Should ‘Vlad’ go off at the plate as he is apt to do without warning, he could make a MLB bettors’ entire wagering season.

The Pick: Ryan Howard