MLB handicapping
December 8th MLB news ... In order to score a profit on a sport like baseball, the bettor must be up to date with all of the daily trends, MLB handicapping, statistics and tips.
Thanks for stopping by mlbhandicapping.com, the place that supplies the necessary information to consistently handicap baseball.
In order to score a profit on a sport like baseball, the bettor must be up to date with all of the daily trends, statistics and tips. You will be able to find all of that information and more right here, all season long.
MLB News
Milwaukee Brewers acquire Zack Greinke from Kansas City Royals
2010-12-28
The Milwaukee Brewers proved that they are dead serious in forming a more formidable team next season when they acquired Zack Greinke from the Kansas City Royals.
The Brewers also acquired shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt plus cash considerations, while sending Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi, and Jeremy Jeffress to the Royals.
Brewers’ general manager Doug Melvin expressed his excitement for successfully acquiring Greinke, despite giving up a lot of talents like prospects Odorizzi and Jeffress. Melvin said that the arrival of Greinke, whom he tagged as one of the top young pitchers today, will give them a big boost next season.
“Zack Greinke is one of the top young pitchers in the game today,” Melvin said in the team’s official statement. “We are very excited to add him to our new rotation. Zack brings great physical skills and athleticism to the team and is an outstanding competitor. This trade is a credit to our scouting and player development staff as their hard work and judgment provided us the talented prospects that Kansas City will be receiving.”
Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart also expressed his excitement after hearing the news and he declared that the Brewers would be a tough nut to crack next season, especially after acquiring Shaun Marcum earlier this offseason.
“We were getting better with Marcum, now Greinke,” Hart said. “Brewers are for real!”
Royals general manager Dayton Moore, on the other hand, said that Greinke, who was 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA last season, would be a big loss, but the young players they acquired from Milwaukee would fit in their system and their rotation that also features up-and-coming players.
“We expect to be competitive next year,” Moore said. “We're still working to improve our baseball team.”
Moore also revealed that Greinke, who was 60-67 with a 3.82 ERA in his more than six seasons with the Royals, was very cooperative during the trade talks and the veteran pitcher even agreed to waive the no-trade clause in his contract that he signed on January 2009.
“He was very much open to it at the end of the day,” Moore said. “A big part of my heart will always pull for Zack. What he overcame, the success he had here, to the point it's not easy to make these types of deals. You would prefer to have him here and sign him long-term but it just wasn't something we could do.”
Moore reiterated that the decision to deal Greinke was a difficult decision, but they have to make the move in their bid to rebuild for their future. Moore is expecting Greinke to shine in the National League next season.
“This guy's one of the best fielding pitchers in the game,” Moore said. “You can't bunt on him. He holds runners. He's a studier. I think he's going to do terrific.”
With the deal, the Royals prove that they are dead serious in their rebuilding process and adding Odorizzi, who was one of the top minor league pitching prospects, will give them a boost next season, as well as Escobar and Jeffress, who both had decent performances last season. The Brewers are +2000 to win the National League pennant in 2011 according to the Baseball Odds at sportsbook.com the home of MLB betting.
World Series Game 5 Betting Preview
2010-11-01
Sportsbook.com World Series Game 5 Football Live Betting Odds nfl football betting Online Bingo Online Bingo Rooms Play Bingo online Online Sportsbook Betting Lines: Texas -174, San Francisco +164 Total: 6.5
Once again, Texas calls on Cliff Lee (12-9, 3.18 ERA) to come up big as the Rangers try to rally from a 3-1 deficit and send the series back to San Francisco. Tim Lincecum (16-10, 3.43 ERA) goes for the Giants in a rematch of Game 1’s wild 11-7 San Francisco victory. The World Series betting crowd at Sportsbook.com is expecting a Game 6 as 88 percent of the cash is on the Rangers.
Game 1 was certainly a start to forget for Lee, who allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits over 4.2 innings. It was only the second time in 2010 that Lee failed to make it out of the fifth inning. With the loss, Lee’s postseason ERA worsened to 2.51. The start was an anomaly on multiple levels as Lee came into the game with a 7-0 lifetime postseason record and was 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his career against San Francisco. Monday will be his first start at home this postseason. Lee went 3-2 with a 2.92 ERA at Rangers Ballpark this year.
The series opener was also the worst start of the playoffs for Lincecum, who gave up four runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings of work. The right-hander is now 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA this postseason. San Francisco has won five on his past six starts and eight of his past 10. Lincecum will make his third road start this postseason on Monday and that may be a good thing for San Francisco as he was better on the road during the regular season, posting a 7-3 record and a 3.17 ERA, as opposed to 9-7 and a 3.69 ERA at AT&T Field.
These baseball betting trends uncovered at Sportsbook.com points towards a Giants’ win tonight:
SAN FRANCISCO is 42-20 (+22.0 Units) against the money line after batting .250 or worse over a 20 game span this season. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.6, OPPONENT 2.8 - (Rating = 3*).
SAN FRANCISCO is 45-20 (+26.3 Units) against the money line with an on base percentage of .310 or worse over their last 20 games this season. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.5, OPPONENT 2.7 - (Rating = 3*).
For more World Series betting odds, head over to Sportsbook.com now.
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Odds and Preview
Monday Night Football Betting Odds: Indianapolis -5.5, Total: 51.5
The Texans travel to Indianapolis in search of their first-ever series sweep of the Colts. Both teams are banged up, but the Colts are in much worse shape with TE Dallas Clark on injured reserve (wrist), WR Austin Collie out (hand) and RB Joseph Addai doubtful (shoulder) for Monday night. A few other key offensive players are hurt as well, including WRs Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon and RB Donald Brown who all have hamstring woes, but will all suit up Monday.
Despite all of the Colts’ injuries, Sportsbook.com bettors are confident that they will cover the point spread as 62 percent of the cash is on Indy.
The Texans also have some injuries to key players such as WR Andre Johnson (ankle) and TE Owen Daniels (knee), but both are expected to play close to 100 percent Monday night.
This game promises to be a shootout with two of the top four offenses in the league. Entering this week, Indianapolis ranked second to the Chargers with 409 YPG and the Texans placed fourth with 380 YPG. On the defensive side of the ball, Houston places dead last in the league in yardage (411 YPG) while Indy sat 21st with 344 YPG allowed. No wonder 68 percent of the football betting crowd is pounding the ‘over’.
Both quarterbacks have a long history of playing each other. Peyton Manning’s numbers against Houston are simply jaw-dropping. In 17 career meetings, Manning has thrown for 4,854 yards (286 YPG), 40 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Texans QB Matt Schaub has not been successful facing the Colts with just five touchdowns and seven interceptions in four career meetings.
The Colts are 15-2 SU in 17 all-time meetings in the series, including a perfect 8-0 home record. But these NFL betting trends lean towards a Houston covering the point spread tonight.
Play On - Road teams (HOUSTON) - with a horrible scoring defense - allowing 27 or more points/game, after allowing 25 points or more in 2 straight games. (34-9 over the last 5 seasons.) (79.1%, +24.1 units. Rating = 3*).
Play On - Road teams (HOUSTON) - slow starting team - outscored by 5+ PPG in the first half, after scoring 7 points or less in the first half in 2 straight games. (63-25 over the last 10 seasons.) (71.6%, +35.5 units. Rating = 3*).
For the rest of tonight’s Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts betting odds, head over to Sportsbook.com now.
World Series Game 2 Betting Guide
2010-10-28
San Francisco leads series 1-0
Thursday, 7:55 p.m. EDT
Sportsbook.com Betting Lines: San Francisco Giants -117, Texas Rangers +107 Total: 7
After a surprising offensive output in Game 1, the Giants look to take a 2-0 series lead when they send Matt Cain (13-11, 3.14 ERA) to the mound Thursday. Left-hander C.J. Wilson (15-8, 3.35 ERA) will try to restore order for Texas.
Cain picked up his first win of the postseason last time out, throwing seven shutout innings and allowing just two hits in Game 3 of the NLCS. In two playoff starts, Cain has yet to give up an earned run through 13.2 innings of work. Including those games, the right-hander has been quite impressive at home this year, going 9-4 with a 2.60 ERA. Cain’s one career start against Texas came last year. He earned a win after throwing eight innings of three-hit, one-run ball en route to a 2-1 San Francisco win. With the win in Game 1, the Giants have now won four consecutive games against Texas dating back to 2009.
It’s been a bit of a bumpy ride for Wilson since dominating Tampa Bay in his postseason debut. He took the loss in Game 5 of the ALCS against New York, lasting just five innings and giving up six runs (five earned) on six hits and four walks. His postseason record now stands at 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA. Including the playoffs, the southpaw has had decent success on the road this year, posting a 5-6 record with a 3.03 ERA. Thursday marks the first time in his career that Wilson will face San Francisco.
A couple MLB betting trends at Sportsbook.com indicate that the Giants represent the better value for World Series betting fans.
Play On - Home teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (SAN FRANCISCO) - with a starting pitcher whose strikes out 5 or more batters per start, with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.50 over his last 5 starts. (82-38 over the last 5 seasons.) (68.3%, +42 units. Rating = 3*).
Play Against - Road teams (TEXAS) - with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.300 or better on the season-AL, starting a over rested pitcher who is working on 7 or more days rest. (72-34 over the last 5 seasons.) (67.9%, +37.2 units. Rating = 3*).
For additionally World Series statistics and betting odds head over to Sportsbook.com. Then after crunching the numbers be sure and take advantage of the most generous MLB dime lines in the industry.
2010 World Series Betting Preview
2010-10-26
Sportsbook.com World Series Price:
Texas Rangers -150
Giants +130a
The World Series gets underway Wednesday night in San Francisco with two unlikely franchises playing for baseball’s most coveted prize. The Giants haven’t won a World Series since 1954 and Texas is making its first-ever appearance in the Fall Classic.
The only pitching matchup set in stone is Game 1 which is scheduled to feature aces Cliff Lee (12-9, 3.18 ERA) and Tim Lincecum (16-10, 3.43 ERA). Lee has been remarkable this postseason, going 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA in three starts. The southpaw has given up just two runs on 13 hits in 24 innings while striking out 34 and walking only one. Lincecum has been tremendous as well, compiling a 2-1 record and a 1.96 ERA in three playoff starts.
Wednesday will mark the first meeting between the two teams this year. They met last year as a part of interleague play with the Giants sweeping Texas in a three-game set in San Francisco. Two of the three games went under the total. Matt Cain threw a gem in the middle game of the series, going eight innings and giving up one run on three hits in a 2-1 Giants win. Texas is likely to see Cain in Game 2.
After Lee, San Francisco should see the combination of C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis. Wilson is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA so far this postseason while Lewis is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA. Lewis picked up both wins against the vaunted Yankee offense and limited New York to three runs over 13.2 innings. Meanwhile, the Giants’ rotation behind Lincecum has fared well this postseason with Cain leading the way at 1-0 having yet to give up an earned run. Jonathan Sanchez totes a 2.93 postseason ERA while Madison Bumgarner comes in at 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in three appearances.
Here are some interesting MLB betting trends for those that will be betting on the World Series.
SAN FRANCISCO is 42-19 (+23.8 Units) against the money line with an on-base percentage of .310 or worse over their last 20 games this season. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.4, OPPONENT 2.7 - (Rating = 3*).
SAN FRANCISCO is 58-35 (+21.3 Units) against the money line vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game in the second half of the season this season. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.2, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 2*).
SAN FRANCISCO is 44-28 (+16.6 Units) against the money line with a hot bullpen whose ERA is under 3.00 the last 15 games this season. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.2, OPPONENT 3.3 - (Rating = 2*).
TEXAS is 25-6 (+16.7 Units) against the money line on a good fielding streak, 10 straight games with one or less errors this season. The average score was TEXAS 5.9, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 3*).
TEXAS is 57-43 (+16.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TEXAS 4.7, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 1*).
TEXAS is 53-39 (+15.3 Units) against the money line vs. good fielding teams - averaging <=0.6 errors/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TEXAS 5.0, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 1*).
With the most generous dime lines in the business, make Sportsbook.com your home for all of your World Series betting.
NLCS Game: Phillies facing elimination, Giants look to advance
2010-10-21
Sportsbook.com Phillies vs. Giants Betting Odds: Philadelphia -123, San Francisco +113 Total: 5.5
Coming into the year, Roy Halladay (21-10, 2.44 ERA) had never pitched in a postseason game. Thursday he starts the biggest game of his career as the Phillies try to stave off elimination and send the series back to Philadelphia. Tim Lincecum (16-10, 3.43 ERA) goes for San Francisco in what becomes a rematch of Game 1, a 4-3 Giants victory.
San Francisco tagged Halladay for four runs on eight hits, including two home runs in the series opener. The loss dropped Halladay to 0-3 lifetime against San Francisco. His ERA against the Giants now stands at 6.66 and his WHIP is a hefty 1.48. It was Halladay’s first loss since August 30, breaking up a streak of six consecutive wins. The right-hander pitched well on the road this year, going 10-5 with a 2.57 ERA. With the total posted at just 5.5, it’s interesting to note that only one of Halladay’s last seven starts have gone under the total (five over, one push).
Lincecum comes into the matchup after picking up the win in Game 1, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings. He allowed two home runs for just the second time this year. With the win, Lincecum is now 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA over his last three starts. Including the postseason, he is 10-7 with a 3.40 ERA at home this year. The Game 1 victory improved his career record against Philadelphia to 3-1. His ERA in those starts in 3.09 with a WHIP of 1.03.
If you are a believer in MLB betting trends there are plenty that favor San Francisco tonight, including:
Play On - Home underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher (SAN FRANCISCO) - cold hitting team - batting .240 or worse over their last 10 games against opponent with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.50 over his last 3 starts. (112-87 over the last 5 seasons.) (56.3%, +55.3 units. Rating = 3*).
Play On - Home teams (SAN FRANCISCO) - with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.70 or better on the season (NL) against opponent with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.050 or better on the season-NL. (172-99 since 1997.) (63.5%, +77.4 units. Rating = 3*).
With the most generous dime lines in the industry, it is no wonder Everybody Bets on baseball at Sportsbook.com.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
2010-10-21
NLCS Game 4, San Francisco leads series 2-1
Wednesday, 7:55 p.m. EDT
Sportsbook.com Betting Odds: San Francisco -108, Philadelphia -102, Total: 7.5
San Francisco looks to take a commanding three-games-to-one lead when it sends Madison Bumgarner (7-6, 3.00) to the mound in Game 4. Philadelphia counters with Joe Blanton (9-6, 4.82 ERA).
Bumgarner picked up the win in the series-clinching Game 4 of the NLDS against Atlanta, throwing six innings and allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five. The southpaw is 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA over his past three starts. Bumgarner struggled a bit at home this year, going 1-3 with a 4.60 ERA. By contrast, his ERA on the road during the regular season was 1.91. Wednesday marks his first career start against Philadelphia.
Blanton makes his first playoff start of the year in Game 4. The right-hander hasn’t pitched since September 29 where he went seven innings, surrendering only an unearned run and three hits in a 7-1 win over the Nationals. The Phillies have won Blanton’s past seven starts and 10 of his past 11 outings. He struggled a bit on the road this year, going 4-4 with a 5.31 ERA. Blanton hasn’t fared very well against the Giants in his career either, taking a 2-3 mark and a 4.73 ERA into Wednesday’s matchup. However, his lone 2010 start against San Francisco was encouraging. Blanton picked up the win after scattering eight hits and two runs over 6.1 innings.
According to this key baseball betting trend, those betting on the Giants appear to be on the right side:
Play On - Home teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (SAN FRANCISCO) - cold hitting team - batting .225 or worse over their last 5 games against opponent starting a pitcher who gave up <=2 earned runs in his last 2 outings. (125-78 over the last 5 seasons.) (61.6%, +49.3 units. Rating = 3*).
Now that you have the key numbers for tonight’s MLB Playoff games, head over to Sportsbook.com to place your bets.