With the Los Angeles Dodgers losing superstar Mookie Betts for six to eight weeks with a broken hand, let’s look at the 10 most indispensable players in the major leagues:3B Jose Ramirez, GuardiansIs there a more underrated MLB star? He’s a five-time All-Star who’s finished in the top five in AL MVP voting four times and likely will again in 2024. The 31-year-old is not a household name outside Cleveland but should be. He entered Friday on pace to post his first 40-homer campaign and a career-high 150 RBIs as the unquestioned leader of the AL Central frontrunners.SS Bobby Witt Jr., RoyalsAlready Kansas City’s cornerstone in just his third season, the 24-year-old signed an 11-year, $288.7 million deal in the offseason that could extend to 14 years and a total of $377.7 million with club options. One of the fastest players who also plays a premium position, Witt is a five-tool stud with unlimited potential.RF Corbin Carroll, DiamondbacksThis budding young star took the game by storm in 2023, earning an All-Star nod and NL Rookie of the Year in honors as the D-backs surprised many by reaching the World Series. Just 23, he led the NL in triples (10), swiped 54 bags and finished fifth in NL MVP voting last season and is the player to build around in the desert.SP Shota Imanaga, CubsIn his first MLB season, the 30-year-old former Japanese star has been tabbed as the team’s most valuable player by teammate Nico Hoerner. His first 13 starts backed it up: 7-1, a 1.89 ERA and a WHIP under 1. The Cubs went 11-2 in those outings, and the jovial righty appears to be an All-Star lock and a Rookie of the Year candidate for the NL wild-card contenders.3B Rafael Devers, Red SoxBoston has moved on from other established stars in recent years, but the 27-year-old is here to stay, signed to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract. A defensively challenged two-time All-Star slugger, he’s a consistent middle-of-the-order presence in a lineup that has been anything but consistent. If he were to go down, Boston’s wild-card hopes would take a nose dive.SP Logan Webb, GiantsAmid injuries to San Francisco’s rotation, the 27-year-old right-hander has been a workhorse again in 2024 after leading the majors in innings (216.0) last season. The Giants’ NL wild-card aspirations rely heavily on Webb, who finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2023.CF Julio Rodriguez, MarinersThe 2022 AL Rookie of the Year — and All-Star in each of his first two seasons — is one of the game’s most exciting and dynamic players and is just 23. Signed through 2029 with player options that could keep him in Seattle through 2034, the five-tool star and perennial 30-30 candidate nearly carried the Mariners to the postseason in 2023.DH Marcell Ozuna, BravesWith reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. out for the season and rising young star Michael Harris II out indefinitely, the two-time All-Star is more than picking up the slack. Entering Friday, the 33-year-old was on pace for career highs in homers (45) and RBIs (141) for the NL wild-card leaders.C Adley Rutschman, OriolesThe 2019 No. 1 overall pick has lived up to the hype as the franchise backstop of a World Series contender. At 26 and coming off his first All-Star campaign in his first full season, he’s the O’s leader on the field and is considered the game’s elite best at his position.2B Marcus Semien, RangersThe 33-year-old steady veteran is surrounded by more prominent stars and household names in the clubhouse, but the unheralded star rarely misses a game, ranks among the best at his position and topped in the AL in hits and runs in 2023 for the World Series champions. Relatedfree betting calculatornfl parlay calculatormoneyline payout calculatorhalf point calculatorkelly forumula calculatorhedge calculator for bettingspread betting sportsbetting on match totalswhat is a betting parlayround robin in bettingev in sports bettinghedging sports bets
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp remains completely convinced by Darwin Nunez after the club-record signing was criticised for his performance against Manchester United.
Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica in a deal potentially worth up to £85million (€100.5m) last month and made his first appearance in Tuesday s 4-0 loss in Bangkok.
The Uruguay international played the final half an hour of the contest and missed a glorious opportunity to open his account for the club when blazing over the bar late on.
That led to many already questioning the big-money signing, with footage of his miss shared widely on social media platforms.
But Klopp has no doubt that Nunez, signed effectively as a replacement for Sadio Mane after he joined Bayern Munich, will have a big…
Barcelona target Memphis Depay is also the subject of interest from Roma, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed.
Lyon captain Depay is into the final year of his contract with the Ligue 1 club and has been linked with a big move to Barca.
The former Manchester United forward previously worked with new Blaugrana coach Ronald Koeman with the Netherlands.
But Aulas warned a deal with Barca has not yet been done, encouraging Roma s rival interest.
He told Telefoot: Memphis contract is expiring. Koeman wants him at Barcelona, but there is also Roma in for the player.
Have a blessed Sunday, don’t forget to tell the people close to you that you love them!
They might need to hear that today.
— Memphis Depay (@Memphis)
Depay…
The group stage of UEFA Euro 2020 is starting to heat up with the majority of nations still feeling like they ve got a real chance of qualifying for the knockout stage. We ve seen everything from surprise results to world class goals and everything in between, which is a trend we hope continues.
Last night, Turkey and Wales went to war in Baku in a game that wound up being as dramatic as you d expect ending in a 2-0 win for the Welsh.
Welsh resilience
Wales had chance after chance after chance both in the first and second half and with a few minutes remaining, it was starting to feel as if a Turkey equaliser was imminent. Alas, they stuck to their guns, got the second goal and put the game on ice, which is the sort of resilience you need at this level. They may not rea…
Former Bayern Munich midfielder Dietmar Hamann has declared Robert Lewandowski did the club a huge favour by making it clear he wanted to join Barcelona.
The Poland international this month completed a €50million move to the Catalan giants, bringing an end to his trophy-laden stint in Germany.
Bayern were initially adamant that Lewandowski would not be allowed to leave, despite being in the final year of his contract, but the prolific striker was determined to move to Barca.
The 34-year-old eventually got his wish and Hamann believes Lewandowski helped the Bundesliga champions get a great deal when they sold him due to the way he went about his business with a distasteful approach.
I think they are happy that he has gone. This whirlwind of signings …
Prediction: Colombia win
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The Copa America has reached the business end of the tournament now, as just eight teams remain in the quest to become the South America champions. A series of nations will consider themselves to be in with a pretty good chance of getting all the way through to the final, but of course, the quarter-finals are probably going to upset the status quo in more ways than one. The game we re going to be looking at today is Colombia vs Chile, which has the potential to be an absolute barnburner.
Colombia
Colombia seem to hold the distinction of being a popular second team for many international football fans, but unfortunately for them, that wasn t enough to lift them past England in last year s 2018 FIFA World C…
Jose Mourinho s second spell in charge of Chelsea ended ignominiously on Thursday, with the Portuguese sacked just eight months after winning the Premier League title.
The 52-year-old has managed just four wins from 16 matches in the league so far this season, leaving the reigning champions only one point clear of the relegation zone.
The decision leaves owner Roman Abramovich again seeking to replace the most successful manager in the club s history.
Be it a short-term solution or long-term successor, the new man will be required to steer the team to safety and attempt to prolong the club s Champions League campaign, with Paris Saint-Germain awaiting in the round of 16 next year.
So who are the candidates to take over Stamford Bridge?
Juande Ra…
Fabian Delph of Manchester City has joined up with his likely future teammates at Everton for pre-season training at their camp in Switzerland, with his move from the Etihad to Goodison Park being in the final stage, according to Sky Sports.
The two clubs reportedly agreed on a £9 million fee for the former Aston Villa captain.
Brought in initially to play in his favored position in midfield for City, Delph made most of his appearances for the Premier League champions on the left defensive flank, covering for the frequently injured Benjamin Mendy. However, last season Oleksandr Zinchenko moved ahead of him in the pecking order, condemning him to no more than 11 league appearances, and with Pep Guardiola determined to keep faith with Mendy, Delph has become surplus to …
Borussia Dortmund have signed Julian Brandt from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of €25million.
The Germany international midfielder has agreed a five-year contract with Lucien Favre s side and will complete his move once the two clubs finalise the details of the transfer.
Although Julian Brandt has played in the Bundesliga for a long time and has a lot of experience both nationally and internationally, he is still a very young professional with potential for development at the age of 23, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said via the club s official website.
He can be used in several attacking positions and will enrich our play with his creativity.
BRANDT
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow)
Brandt had been linked with a …
Ligue 1 high-flyers Marseille have terminated the contract of experienced defender Rod Fanni, La Provence has learned.
The 36-year-old made 28 league appearances last term, but he wasn’t in Rudi Garcia’s plans for the 2017/2018 campaign.
Even though his deal was due to expire in June 2018, Marseille decided to release the player from his contract after several weeks of negotiations with his agents.
This was Fanni’s second spell at Stade Velodrome, as he had initially joined the club from Rennes in January 2011.
Operating as a right-back and centre-back, the defender amassed a total of 158 Ligue 1 appearances during his two stints.
…
Best Odds: 4/7
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Two nations who are desperate to book an automatic route to this year s World Cup finals, Australia will welcome Japan to the Accor Stadium in Sydney on Thursday morning.
Australia
Starting with the hosts, while Australia might have already at least guaranteed themselves a spot in the fourth-round of this year s qualifying adventure, they are seeking some kind of stability. Last seen on February 1st when throwing away the lead twice and having to settle for a late 2-2 draw away at Oman, Head Coach Graham Arnold has seen his side pick up a single point in three of their last four outings. Marking their return to action on Thursday morning sat three points adrift of breaking into the top-two, the Socceroos should at least be boosted by t…