Braves go with Heyward

Rookie Jason Heyward has slugged his way onto the Braves and will be Atlanta’s starting right-fielder.

Heyward looks like he can handle big-league pitching and he should be a major boost to the offense. Consider taking the over on the Braves season wins totals.

Cliff Lee shut down by Mariners

Pitching ace Cliff Lee of the Seattle Mariners is being shut down for five days to allow an abdomen strain to heal.

Lee will likely begin the season on the DL. Lee will probably need some to ramp it up for a few days before he’s able to throw in games because he hasn’t had much work in Spring Training.

A prolonged absence will hurt the Seattle Mariners odds because they lack the offense to make up for less than stellar pitching.

Astro’s Oswalt strains hamstring

The Houston Astros’ Roy Oswalt is being examined by team doctors after leaving today’s game against the Pirates with a left hamstring strain.

GM Ed Wade, downplayed the injury saying, “I just want to get him checked.”

Oswalt previously felt a pinch in that leg so there is a slight chance that the strain is symptomatic of something bigger that could hurt the Houston Astros chances of hitting the season wins total.

Pre-Season Betting Update: Heyward boosts Braves, injured pitching aces by MLB Baseball Previews