Baseball online sports betting

Baseball online sports betting

MLB: Ace lefties square off in potential playoff preview
2010-08-16

Two of the best teams in the American League start a three game series on Monday night, and you couldn’t ask for a better pitching matchup for the opener, as Texas’ Cliff Lee will square off against Tampa Bay’s David Price. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com initially gave Lee the edge, installing him as a -115 favorite, despite his team being on the road. However, since bettors have moved the line to -105 and may even turn it further over to Tampa Bay’s favor over the course of the day. Let’s take a closer look at this stellar contest.

The Rangers and Rays could well be headed for an October showdown, and Monday’s pitching matchup between Lee and Price will certainly be enough to give the game a postseason feel. The teams hold the biggest current leads in baseball's playoff races, with Texas (67-49) up 8 1/2 games on the Angels in the AL West and Tampa Bay holding a five-game edge over Boston for the wild card. The Rays are also within one game of New York for the East lead.

The current standings would match the Rangers against the Rays (71-46) in an AL division series. It’s a good bet that tonight’s pitching matchup would be the same as a potential Game 1 in that series. Lee comes in with a 10-5 record and 2.57 ERA. He has quickly become the ace of the Texas staff since arriving on July 9th. Price has a better won-lost mark at 15-5, but his ERA is a slightly more elevated 2.84. He can become the first AL starter to 16 victories with a win tonight.

Price and Lee have never faced one another. In three career starts, Price is 0-2 when starting against Texas with an ERA of 9.45 and a WHIP of 1.650. Lee lost twice to Tampa Bay while with Seattle this season, but is 6-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 12 lifetime starts versus the Rays.

Since each of these pitchers ranks among the best in his craft, one of the handicapping factors you’ll want to give full consideration to tonight is each team’s performance against left-handed starters. That edge goes to the Rays, who are 25-13 against southpaws in 2010, scoring 5.4 runs per game, a full half run per game better than against righties. The Rangers are just 20-16, and scoring 4.6 runs per contest. That is a half run worse per game than against right-handed starters. In fact, take a look at this distinctive trend from FoxSheets:

• WASHINGTON is 33-61 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in road games against left-handed starters as the manager of TEXAS. The average score was TEXAS 4.1, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 1*)

Tampa Bay has done some solid work this season against the league’s best pitchers, going 13-3 (+9.7 Units) against the money line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.20 or better this season. The average score was TAMPA BAY 6.1, OPPONENT 3.2 - (Rating = 1*)

Perhaps with two fabulous pitchers and the total set at 7 runs, the best wagering option could be on the under. Take

• TEXAS is 22-12 UNDER (+8.7 Units) against left-handed starters this season. The average score was TEXAS 4.6, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 0*)

The top StatFox System also favors that side of the total:

• Play Under - All teams where the total is 7 to 8.5 (TAMPA BAY) - poor AL hitting team (AVG <=.260) against a team with a very good bullpen (ERA <=3.33), playing on Monday. (42-17 since 1997.) (71.2%, +22.6 units. Rating = 2*)

Keep in mind that the Rays have won their last four home series against Texas. First pitch for tonight’s contest is set for 7:10 PM ET from Tampa.

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MLB: Getaway day MLB pitcher trends
2010-06-17

Thursday wraps up one set of many interleague series’ before the teams move on to another this weekend. Seven of the 11 games on the Thursday betting board are set for evening start times. Let’s take a look at some of the best StatFox Power Trends available for those games regarding the starting pitchers or the managers. Get a full look at all of today’s lines and key betting information on the GAME MATCHUPS page of Sportsbook.com.

(959) CHI WHITE SOX (BUEHRLE) at (960) PITTSBURGH (OHLENDORF) 7:05 PM

The White Sox have taken the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh, extending the Prates losing streak to 10 games. The hosts will likely need to hold Chicago to a low run total to win, since Pittsburgh has only scored 29 runs during the skid. Fortunately, there’s a significant UNDER trend of Ross Ohlendorf, the Pirates starter:

* OHLENDORF is 14-2 UNDER (+11.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record) The average score was OHLENDORF 2.7, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 2*)

(961) NY METS (DICKEY) at (962) CLEVELAND (WESTBROOK) 7:05 PM

The Mets have continued their strong surge in the N.L. East by taking the first two games in Cleveland. New York is 17-5 in its last 22 games and comes into Thursday’s contest on a 6-game winning streak. By the looks of this trend on Indians skipper Manny Acta and R.A. Dickey’s 2.78 ERA to date for the Mets, the streak should continue.

* ACTA is 13-62 (-43.3 Units) against the money line vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better in all games he has managed since 1997. The average score was ACTA 3.0, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 3*)

(963) PHILADELPHIA (KENDRICK) at (964) NY YANKEES (PETTITTE) 7:05 PM

The Yankees and Phillies have split a pair of spirited games between the last two champions of Major League Baseball. Thursday’s series finale matches Kyle Kendrick for Philadelphia versus Andy Pettitte for host New York. Kendrick has proven a trendy OVER pitcher, while Pettitte has produced UNDER’s regularly. This is the highest rated trend though:

*KENDRICK is 22-6 OVER (+15.7 Units) after a win over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record) The average score was KENDRICK 6.5, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 2*)

(965) TEXAS (NIPPERT) at (966) FLORIDA (NOLASCO) 7:10 PM

The Rangers have gotten hotter than a summer day in Texas of late, winning seven of their last eight games to put a 2-game cushion between themselves and the Angels in the A.L. West. On Thursday, the Rangers will look for a 3-game sweep of the Marlins in Florida. The pitching matchup pits Dustin Nippert versus Ricky Nolasco.

*NOLASCO has been hit hard in his last five starts, with a WHIP of 1.96 and a record of 1-4 (Team’s Record). The average score was NOLASCO 4.0, OPPONENTS 6.6 – (Rating = 1*)

(967) TAMPA BAY (SHIELDS) at (968) ATLANTA (HUDSON) 7:10 PM

One of the other highlight series’ this week besides Phillies-Yankees has been that between the Rays and Braves. It has lived up to billing too, with the teams splitting the first two games. It could be edge to Atlanta on Thursday, since James Shields, the Tampa starter has been rocked hard for 23 runs in 15-2/3 innings in his last three starts, while Braves’ hurler Tim Hudson can fall back on this powerful angle:

*HUDSON is 64-27 (+29.3 Units) against the money line in home games vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season since 1997. (Team's Record) The average score was HUDSON 4.8, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 1*)

(969) ARIZONA (HAREN) at (970) BOSTON (LACKEY) 6:10 PM

The Diamondbacks may be buried at the bottom of the N.L. West with little chance to emerge, and are just 9-24 on the road this season, but according to this strong angles regarding Thursday’s starter Dan Haren, they at least have a decent shot of avoiding a sweep at Boston.

*HAREN is 25-9 (+15.5 Units) against the money line against AL East opponents since 1997. (Team's Record) The average score was HAREN 6.1, OPPONENT 4.2 - (Rating = 1*)

(971) HOUSTON (MYERS) at (972) KANSAS CITY (LEREW) 8:10 PM

The Astros and Royals wrap up a 3-game set in Kansas City with Brett Myers taking the hill for Houston and Anthony Lerew, called up from Triple-A Omaha, toeing the rubber for the hosts. The Royals are -115 favorites, but…

*MYERS is 13-6 (+9.1 Units) against the money line as an underdog of +100 to +150 over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record) The average score was MYERS 5.2, OPPONENT 4.1 - (Rating = 1*)

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MLB: Dodgers favored at home over soaring Cardinals
2009-08-19

Last night’s St. Louis and Los Angeles contest had all the drama and intensity of a playoff game, with the Cardinals coming out on top 3-2 as -160 money line road favorites behind Chris Carpenter. This evening, the roles will be reversed, with the Dodgers the larger favorite and trying to find the magic formula that worked earlier this season. Early numbers show nearly 70% of bettors at Sportsbook.com are backing the host favorites.

The Dodgers (70-49, +11.2 units) have lost seven of 10 games, seeing their lead in the NL West dwindle to 4.5-games and now have the same amount of losses as Philadelphia in the National League, jeopardizing their hold of the best record in the senior circuit.

It’s been an impotent offense that has hurt the Dodgers. Take away the two nine run explosions that resulted in victories and L.A. has totaled 20 runs in the other eight games (2.5 runs per outing). Matters have been made worse with the starting pitchers being mildly ineffective and injuries creeping up.

Tonight’s starter, Chad Billingsley (11-6, 3.73 ERA) hasn’t pitched in 11 days due to left hamstring strain and will have to be watched cautiously. Billingsley hasn’t had much success against St. Louis with 0-2 record, with a 5.23 ERA in four starts, including being rocked for six runs and walking six in 5 2/3 innings of a 10-0 Redbirds whitewashing. The Dodgers have lost Billingsley’s last four home starts against teams with winning record.

St. Louis (68-52, +6.2 units) is making all those trade deadline pickups work and has won nine of its last 10 contests. Manager Tony LaRussa’s offense has been improved with Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa, however the pitching has been brilliant in allowing just over three runs per game during this stretch.

It was evident in last night’s contest that the confidence the Cardinals are playing with and tonight’s starter Mitchell Boggs (1-1, 3.78) has given the Cards a chance to win. Though he was roughed up in suffering his first loss of the season last week against Cincinnati, the 25-year old right-hander has kept his team in the game and they have won five of his six starts in 2009. Boggs would become a permanent part of the rotation, but as has been the case in the past, 20 walks in just over 33 innings has made him less than trustworthy.

The Dodgers are 12-3 revenging a one run loss this season and sports bettors have moved them from -160 money line favorites at Sportsbook.com to -180, with the total Un8.5. L.A. has won 60 of last 86 games as a home favorite and is 12-4 OVER after allowing four runs or less in four straight games this season.

St. Louis is a decided underdog, yet is 14-3 on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 and has the same record when they have an on-base percentage of .375 or better over their last five games this season.
This battle of division leaders is set for 7:10 Pacific and is available for viewing in local markets with the Cards 16-6 UNDER after a win by two runs or less this season.

StatFox Power Line – L.A. Dodgers -188

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MLB Series Betting- L.A. Dodgers at L.A. Angels
2009-06-19

The I-5 series moves south, down to Orange County, with the Dodgers taking on the Angels. Without question this is the best series of the weekend with a lot of reasons to follow the action. The team actually from Los Angeles has the best record in the Major Leagues at 44-23 and has garnered +17.3 units of profit for backers. The L.A. area club who plays in Anaheim has gotten hot, winning six in a row and seven of nine, to crawl within 1.5 games of Texas for the AL West lead.

The Dodgers are averaging five runs per game and that numbers figures only to rise once Manny Ramirez returns to the lineup. Manager Joe Torre has been fortunate that Juan Pierre had step up his game so well and they have won 11 of last 15 road games, thanks to better than expected starting pitching.

The Halos (35-29, +7.8 units) have been tearing the cover off the ball during this win streak, batting .350 as a team, giving them highest batting average in baseball at .282. (Though 10th in runs scored) They have accomplished this in spite of not having all their big sluggers in the lineup like Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu, who have missed time with various ailments. The Angels are 8-1 interleague action and 32-13 against the National League the last three seasons.

The Dodgers will send their ace Chad Billingsley (9-3, 2.72 ERA) to the mound in the opener. Billingsley has exceeded expectations tossing at least six innings in 13 of 14 starts and lasting at least seven innings in eight of those starts. The right-hander has allowed more than four runs just once this season and the Dodgers are 11-3 when he’s been given the starting assignment. The visitor has opened as -107 money line favorite with total of Un8 at Sportsbook.com and they are 47-19 in that role.

Joe Saunders (7-4, 3.66 ERA) might have something to say about that for the Angels. Saunders went through a rugged stretch recently where he allowed 13 runs in 18 innings, but he was back on his game against San Diego, pitching 8 1/3 innings surrendering one run in 9-1 wipeout. Saunders and the Halos are 16-3 versus team averaging less than a home run per game and 10-3 as underdogs of +150 or less.

The difference could turn on the Dodgers ability to hit lefties, with 15-6 record this season.

Game 1 Edge: Dodgers

Game 2 of the series will have a very unusual flavor, as brothers will meet for the first time in their lives. Jered Weaver (7-2, 2.08) will face his older brother Jeff Weaver (3-1, 3.72), who is expected to make first start since May 20, filling in for other Dodger starters on the DL. “That'll be weird," Jered Weaver said. "I just wish we could face each other in the batter's box. That would be fun."

Jered has matured into the type of pitcher many in the Angels organization had expected. He’s been brutal on right-hand hitters, with them batting .155 and loves pitching at the Big A, with microscopic 1.01 ERA. Manager Mike Scioscia has enjoyed sending the younger Weaver to the mound, since they have won his last five outings and they are 21-8 at home when Jered is the starter. Look for the Angels to be decided favorite with Jered Weaver 3-1 in five career outings against the Dodgers with a 1.59 ERA.

Game 2 Edge: Angels

The series finale is the ESPN Sunday night game and Torre has seen plenty of the team from Anaheim to know what to expect. "They are getting it together. They are intimidating; they can beat you in a lot of different ways. We don't have the speed they have. We bite and scratch, but [Mike Scioscia's] club is pretty much bred to do that. They keep plugging in another fast guy. I really respect what Mike has done in the years he's been there. You knew from the get-go what kind of club he wanted to have. You know as a catcher the kind of club that makes you uncomfortable, and that's the kind of club that makes you uncomfortable."

Torre of course has plenty of faith in his own club and will send Clayton Kershaw (3-5, 4.13) to the mound. Kershaw bounced bad from his worst outing of the year, shutting out Oakland for 5 2/3 innings, striking out eight. Coming into this series, the Dodgers are 32-16 in night games and 13-7 as underdogs. If the game is close, the team from northern L.A. has superior bullpen and is 16-6 in one run games.

The Angels will use veteran John Lackey (2-2, 6.10) who might being rounding into form after starting the season on the DL. Lackey hurled seven strong innings against San Francisco, ringing up 10 K’s and not walking a batter. He had his best fastball of the season and curveball really had downward motion. If the Halos bats stay hot, Lackey could improve on 5-1 record with a 1.50 ERA against the other Angelinos.

Game 3 Edge: Angels

Though the Dodgers are the better team, they have played with a mental block in this Los Angeles turf war. Since 2001, those in Dodger blue have won only six times in 24 tries near Disneyland. Based on how this series has played out over the years and the Angels playing best baseball of the season right now, will back them this weekend, looking for a second straight winner and working back towards .500.

Sportsbook.com series odds: Dodgers +125, Angels -155

StatFox Edge Pick: Los Angeles (The Angels)

2009 Record – 3-6

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MLB: Betting and Watching on Opening Day
2009-04-06

For baseball fans, it doesn’t get any better than this, the official beginning of the season. All the teams playing at home have festive occasions and optimism is running high from coast to coast. For baseball bettors, the numbers crunching begins having 15 games to choose almost every five out of seven days for the six months. Here is a look at the five televised games on the worldwide leader to kick off Opening Day.


1:00 E - N.Y. Mets at Cincinnati – ESPN

Who are the kings of Opening Day, none other than the New York Mets. Dating back 41 years, New York is 30-11 for a jaw-dropping 73.2 percent winning percentage. Their chances today will be enhanced starting Johan Santana, who has been the best pitcher in baseball the last four years. How good, he leads the majors in ERA, win percentage, strikeouts, opponents batting average and is tied for most wins at 88 with Roy Oswalt. The Mets are -155 favorite at Sportsbook.com with a total Un7.5 and Santana is 95-30 (+35.2 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -150 or more. (Team's Record) The Reds Aaron Harang is coming off 17-loss season and his team is 19-8 as an underdog when he pitches the last two years.

2:00 E – Tampa Bay at Boston – ESPN2

It’s a rematch of last season’s American League championship. Tampa Bay will look to defend its title starting at a place they where they used to be soundly beaten. The Rays are 25-68 against Boston at Fenway Park; however they won four of six in September and October to help propel them to first ever playoffs and World Series. James Shields believes he’s a 20-game winner if he pitches better on the road and this will be excellent opportunity to test his belief. The Red Sox are -145 home favorites and with Ov8.5 total, with Josh Becket taking the mound. Boston was 32-12 (+14.3 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -175 last season and would like to reestablish dominance at home from the start.

4:00 E - N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore – ESPN

The New York Yankees will trot out one of their high-priced jewels when C.C. Sabathia takes the mound in Baltimore. The big left-hander will average 23 million over the next seven years wearing the pinstripes and the keynote target will look to help Yankees to return of playoffs. Sabathia comes back to the American League and is a -190 road favorite in the opener. The lefty is 5-0 in nine starts against the Orioles and will face Jeremy Guthrie. The rebuilding O’s were 12-34 in day games a season ago and try to change their luck in that area. Surprisingly, Baltimore has split last 18 meetings with New York at Camden Yards.

7:00 E – Chicago Cubs at Houston – ESPN2

Chicago Cubs fans are weary of “maybe next year” and want to see their team not just win another division. They will open up on the road against division foe Houston, with a great pitching matchup. Carlos Zambrano wasn’t his usual dominating self in the second half and the Cubs need him to return to being one of the best pitchers in the National League. Roy Oswalt had an unusual year for him. His ERA was running over five in June and had people wondering if the wear and tear of years was finally taking its toll. Instead, Oswalt found his groove and was 10-2 with 2.24 ERA in the second half. The money line has been back and forth with each team being a slight favorite. The Astros have taken eight of last 14 at home with the Under the play at 11-2-1.

9:00 E - Oakland at L.A. Angels – ESPN

With injuries to other starters, Joe Saunders drew the Opening Day assignment and he actually has earned it. Off an All-Star appearance and 17-win season, the left-hander has been one of the safest bets in baseball. In has career, Saunders is 32-15 and last season the Angels won 24 of 32 his starts (75 percent). The Halos are -150 money line home favorite with total of 8.5 and they are 19-5 when Saunders takes the ball and oddsmakes make total 8.5 to 10. Oakland made off-season moves to bolster anemic offense coming off their first back-to-back losing seasons since 1993-98, when they had six straight. Dallas Braden earns the start for the A’s, who were 40-20 UNDER as a road underdog of +100 or higher in 2008. These bitter rivals have split last 20 contests at the Big A in Anaheim.

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MLB Series Betting- Florida at New York Mets
2008-08-08

When the 2008 season began, one of these teams was supposed to be a player in the NL East race and the other was thought to pile up losses and be a punching bag for the other contenders in the division. Instead, both are in a virtual dead head heat, trying to chase down last year’s champion Philadelphia. Seeing we have made our way past the first week of August, this series takes on great significance in shaping how the NL East will shake out. (Free Friday Foxsheet for this big series)

The New York Mets (60-54, -6.3 units) received a boost as David Wright hit a walk-off home run yesterday, to help them win series over shameful San Diego. While yesterday’s homer helps lighten the mood in Mets clubhouse, the fact remains they have lost seven of 10 and trail the Phillies by two in the loss column. Besides base-running blunders and the usual Mets lack of focus, the loss of Billy Wagner has placed too many pitchers in the bullpen into unfamiliar roles and they are not coming thru.

Florida (61-54, +18.8) is tied with New York in the loss column and have been the best bet in the National League a good portion of the season. In addition, they have been among the leading Over wagers all year, due to binges of hitting and faulty bullpen work on more than one occasion.

Ricky Nolasco (11-6, 3.91, 1.184 WHIP) has emerged as the ace of the staff for Florida with his variety of breaking balls. He’s been ringing up the strikeouts for most of the season and his control has been exceptional since June, with 6.5 to 1 punch-outs to walks ratio. With Sportsbook.com establishing the Marlins as +120 underdogs, with total of Un8.5, Nolasco and Florida hold value, since they are 12-5 when not favored. New York is 39-22 against the money line vs. an NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 or better and has their own good luck charm in Oliver Perez (7-7, 4.12, 1.387). Though Perez’s numbers are not often impressive, he and the Mets thrive against big swingers, with 38-20 record vs. teams whose hitters strike out seven or more times a game.

Game 1 Edge: Marlins

Word has not officially been passed on who will start for the disabled John Maine; nonetheless most expect it to be it to be 29-year old right-hander Brian Stokes. He pitched in the big leagues with Tampa Bay the last two seasons and is 10-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) at Triple-A New Orleans. The Mets may need to fall back on the fact they are 113-69 at Shea Stadium vs. good power teams, averaging 1.25 or more home runs a game. Florida will counter with Scott Olson (6-6, 3.87, 1.282) who has pitched in some hard luck with 11 no-decisions. Olson almost certainly would have a winning record, however has undermined himself as well, reaching high pitch counters in the fifth of sixth innings, having to be taken out. Olson can be flat out nasty on left-hand batters (.173 BA), expect New York to load up with right-hand hitters. He and the Marlins are 11-6 this season facing right-hand hurlers.

Game 2 Edge: Marlins

On May 31, most Mets observers figured Mike Pelphrey (10-7, 3.85, 1.440) was making his final start with the big club, with Pedro Martinez coming off the DL. Most thought it was a make or break effort for the 6’7 right-hander and he gave a very good performance in holding the Dodgers to two runs over seven innings, in a no-decision Mets 3-2 win. Since that time, Pelphrey is 8-1 (Mets 10-2) and his ERA has dropped over a run. He’s been especially effective as Shea with 2.29 ERA, with the Metropolitans winning 8 of his 12 home starts. Josh Johnson (2-0, 3.34, 1.517) will be the mound opponent in the series finale. After coming off the DL, Johnson has helped Florida win all five of his starts, not allowing more than four runs in any outing. The Marlins come into this series 19-12 vs. NL teams scoring 4.8 or more runs a game on the season.

Game 3 Edge: Mets

This should be a tremendous series with great intensity. New York has more pressure, as they were expected to be in this position, while Florida is playing with house money just staying in the chase. Having just taken series from Phillies and posting .500 record on the road this season, will give the nod to Florida to win the series with 11-11 record at Shea Stadium the last three years.

Sportsbook.com series odds: Marlins +140, Mets -180
StatFox Edge Pick: Florida
2008 Record – 9-5

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