Texas Two Step. The 2011 World Series Preview

In this Piece Rob will examine the 2011 World series from a historical, statistical and tactical point of view. In the 2011 regular season, St. Louis finished six games behind Texas. From 1905 through the 2011 MLB League Championship round, when MLB teams trailed their best-of-7 playoff series opponents by six regular-season games, they have posted a 4-7 (.364) best-of-7 series record in those series against those opponents. The St. Louis Cardinals in general have a 2-2 best-of-7 MLB playoff series... 

Think O-O-Over as Yankees Host Orioles Tonight!

MLB Gamblers have an easy pick on their hands today when the streaking New York Yankees host the struggling Baltimore Orioles in a contest that has ‘lock’ written all over it! The Yanks have won five straight games to take a 2.5-game lead over Boston in the AL East, including their thrilling 11-10 win over Baltimore in the series opener on Monday. New York smacked four home runs and got two long balls from recently called-up DH Jesus Montero and they will likely need to score their fair share... 

MLB Underdog Value: Part II

Inexperienced sports bettors can have trouble backing dogs, and this is particularly true in baseball. Last week I outlined several areas that I examine when looking to possibly back a live underdog. Here are some more. Pitcher Home/Away Performance: The home/road breakdowns on pitchers are especially fascinating, offering not only insight into what makes certain pitchers tick, but even where oddsmakers come up with some of their numbers, both sides and totals. That was the only way to handicap someone... 

Recognizing Baseball Underdog Value: Part I

I’ve found that inexperienced sports bettors have trouble taking dogs, especially in baseball. Favorites are no problem. It’s easy to spot games that favored teams should win, especially with the better starting pitcher. But identifying dogs and getting the courage and confidence to back them often takes time, patience and careful analysis. With that in mind, here are a few tips on what I look for when assessing to back a live underdog. Are They Hitting/Pitching Well the Last 7 Games?... 

Baseball Handicapping: Quality Starts

One area I pay attention to when analyzing baseball games is quality starts. Sometimes a pitcher may have a rather high ERA, but that’s not all that uncommon today. With expansion over the last decade, starting pitching has become thin and the rarest of commodities. Yes, you will find lousy pitchers throwing in the big leagues simply because there aren’t enough good starting arms, but you will also find guys who give their teams consistent quality starts even if their ERA might be higher... 

Baseball: Second Half Surges 2011

The first half of the 2011 baseball season is in the books. There were surprising winners, such as the Indians, Marlins, Reds and Brewers, a lack of hitting league-wide, and some surprises such as the defending champion Giants playing close to .500 baseball. With the surprises out of the way, here’s a look at some teams that might be active at the trading deadline and primed to make a second half surge. Mariners: You can make the argument that pitching is the key to a sustained second half... 

MLB Handicapping: Tips and Advice on Betting Doubleheaders

It is not a stretch to say that no one in baseball likes doubleheaders. The players dislike putting forth that much effort in one day. Managers cringe at the thought of having to burn their bullpens. Umpires loathe having to sit out there for a double-dip, especially the guys that have to work the plate in one game and the field in another. The vendors and ballpark employees essentially pull a double-shift with little to nothing to show for it. And studies show that attendance in either game a doubleheader... 

Baseball Betting Tips: Overlooked Edge of Speed

There’s been a huge emphasis on power in baseball over the last decade. But home runs are down this season, likely because there is so much steroid testing now. And with teams lacking power like they used to, speed can be an extremely important, and often overlooked, aspect of winning baseball. Speed isn’t simply stolen bases, although that’s one part of the equation. Speed is also the ability of a player to go from first to third, or turning a single into a double. And defense... 

MLB Betting: Trades and Returning Injured Players

So who is ready to win the World Series? Well, relax , folks, it is only the end of June and baseball is a marathon. Patience and consistency are keys to being the best in baseball, the same two qualities that are necessary in the world of sports wagering. After all, it is not the hot teams in May and June that win the World Series, it is the team hottest in October. The 2002 and 2003 Angels and Marlins were great examples, along with the 2004 Red Sox and 2006 Cardinals. One year ago this week the... 

Baseball: First Half Roundup

162 games is a long season. Every year teams sprint out of the gate in April and May with October dreams, only to come back to the pack by July. It’s not a sprint, of course, but a marathon, where a strong balance of pitching, defense and offense carries the best teams into the postseason. Injuries, too, are key, as well as trades made before the July deadline. Teams have figured out their strengths and weaknesses now and are beginning to look for pieces to add before the deadline, while others... 

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