Baseball gambling lines
Welcome to baseballgamblinglines.com, the place that has everything you need to score a profit during the baseball season.
This site was created to provide the baseball bettor with all the tools necessary to win consistently while watching “America’s pastime”.
Whether you need the latest line or information on a pitching match-up, log on daily to find that information and much more.
News
MLB: Yankees Favored to Open Big Series
2008-08-26
The final regular season series ever at Yankees Stadium between New York and Boston commences Tuesday night. If the Bronx Bombers have any aspirations of still making a push towards the 2008 postseason, they’ll need to play their best series of the year. As a small favorite in Game 1 of the 3-game set, the Yanks will send Andy Pettitte to the hill to face off against Tim Wakefield. Over 90% of the early action at Sportsbook.com backs the hosts.
If there were ever a time to exercise ghosts from the past, now would be the perfect time for the New York Yankees. With Yankee Stadium wilting down to a few precious weeks before the final game is played at the famous ball park, maybe this would be the week to hang pictures throughout the stadium with Boston in town. Maybe banners with Bucky Dent’s face, Reggie Jackson, Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle plastered all over the place, to remind the Red Sox there is a reason why they have won only 37 percent of the time at Yankee Stadium over the last 85 years. With what is at stake for New York, it’s time to use every trick in the book.
The Yankees trail Boston by five games for the wild card spot and have to win a minimum of two games in this series to realistically hold on to any chance of snagging last postseason berth in the American League, with just over a month to go. Despite a mastery over the Red Sox for years, the magic ended when New York lost four straight in the 2004 ALCS to Boston. The Red Sox have gone on to win two World Series since then and the Bronx Bombers have lost four consecutive playoff series. For New York, this season it’s about just trying to extend 13-year run of October baseball.
“I feel like it’s a must-win series,” Andy Pettitte (13-9, 4.17, 1.344 WHIP) told the team’s official Web site. “I don’t necessarily feel like we need to sweep them, but I feel like we need to win the series.” Pettitte has a long history of success against the BoSox and is opening game starter. In the last 11 years, the left-hander is 16-7 versus Boston and his team has won 19 of his 28 starts. Sportsbook.com has New York as -155 money line home favorites and with total Un9.5. Since 1997, Pettitte and the teams he has pitched for are 52-18 as a home favorite of -150 to -200.
Boston will go for two virtual eliminations in a row, having taken down Toronto on the road, all but closing out what chances they had left and will try to do the same to the Yanks. You have to love managers like Terry Francona, who so desperately try to keep everything on even keel, even when they understand what is at stake. He knows this is big series and is trying to sell it like his club is playing Seattle this week, just with more people in the stands. “Because of the media and the fans, there’s more energy or electricity in the ballpark, but you can’t bring in a pitcher an inning earlier,” Francona said. “They don’t give you two wins when you beat the Yankees.”
Thanks for insightful information T.F., here is something that is useful for baseball bettors, Boston is 21-8 in road games when playing with a day off over the last three seasons. Tim Wakefield (7-8, 3.67, 1.177) will make first start since coming off the disabled list and has one win in last 11 starts (Boston 2-9) against the team in pinstripes. Another factor working against the knuckle-baller and his club is they have combined to produce 4-12 record against teams with winning record the last two seasons and are 0-8 in this situation if it occurs in the second portion of the season.
The total does cause confusion as to what way is best to wager. With Pettitte on the hill, manager Joe Girardi’s club is 17-5 Under. Boston is 16-5 Under as a road underdog of +100 or higher since 2006, when giving Wakefield the starting assignment. Just when this seems so cut and dry, you realize New York is 16-3 Over off two straight road wins against AL East rival over the last three years.
This heavyweight encounter can be viewed in local markets or on MLB.TV starting at 7:05 Eastern. These teams have split a dozen meetings in 2008.
StatFox Power Line – Yankees -114
MLB Series Betting- Boston at Toronto
2008-08-22
The future is now for the Toronto Blue Jays, if they want to make a serious run at being the American League wild card representative. Toronto (66-61, -2 units) has won seven of nine contests and is within seven games of Boston (73-54,+6 units) for the wild card slot and starting Friday, will play the Red Sox 10 times until the end of the season, providing them ample opportunity to close the gap or be shunned like the sunlight on a gloomy Toronto day.
Toronto has had smashing pitching all season, leading all of baseball in fewest runs allowed, with quality starting pitching and a deep bullpen. Hitting has been the issue all year, with chasms of games where hits and runs never materialized, especially in the clutch. If pitching can stop good hitting, the Blue Jays can close the gap and they should have confidence facing Boston.
The Red Sox have lost six straight north of the border and 10 of 12 overall. Boston has failed to score more than four runs in last dozen matchups with the Blue Jays, which has Terry Francona wondering about Toronto. “The way they play against us, and that pitching, it should keep them in every game,” Francona told the Red Sox’s official Web site. “I’m hoping we’re going to find out why (they’re in fourth place in the AL East). Every time we play them, it’s not been fun.” Boston has bounced back on the road, winning nine of last 13 to raise record to 30-36 (-9.2 units). Late season acquisition Paul Byrd (7-11, 4.55, 1.301 WHIP) gets the nod in the opener. The veteran Byrd had been outstanding (4-0, 1.24 ERA over five starts) before losing initial start for Boston. Sportsbook.com has the Red Sox at -104 on the money line, with total Ov9. Byrd is 3-11 when the money line is +125 to -125 and 0-7 when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season. (Team's Record)
Toronto counters with Shaun Marcum (8-5, 3.36, 1.142) and he pitches for club that is 61-29 at home when the total is 9 to 9.5. Marcum and the Blue Jays are 8-0 UNDER at the Rogers Centre when the money line is -100 to -150 this season.
Game 1 Edge: Toronto
Toronto’s feast or famine offense is profoundly stated with 1-12 record after batting .333 or better over a five-game span coming into the series. A big part of the problem for Toronto is the lack of power in the offense. The Blue Jays are last in the American League in home runs with 88 and only Oakland has fewer total bases. Overcoming this on nightly basis is a challenge, even if they have the same run differential as the Los Angeles Angels at +58. Jesse Litsch (8-7, 4.20, 1.294) returned from the minors with his new four-seam fastball and held Detroit to seven shutout innings with four hits allowed. While nobody in Bean Town will admit it, John Lester (12-4, 3.17, 1.277) might just be the Red Sox best pitcher or at least most clutch. The left-hander and his teammates are 6-2 after a loss this season, including winning five in a row. Lester is also 8-1 versus the AL East (Red Sox Record). Boston should be favored and they are 63-38 when in this role.
Game 2 Edge: Boston
The series finale sets up to be a beauty, with A.J. Burnett (16-9, 4.51, 1.395) facing Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-2, 2.77, 1.374). After a slow start, Burnett has won six in a row and Toronto is 10-2 when he starts since June 24. The Arkansas native has hit his stride and been using a devastating curveball, which has allowed him to strikeout 70 batters in last 65 innings. Matsuzaka has such electric stuff, even he can’t control it. His command is average at best, having walked four batters, nine times in 22 starts. Despite the constant trouble, teams are hitting spare .213 against him. Though he often places himself in tough spots, no batter has a hit off him in 14 tries with the bases loaded. Matsuzaka has been brilliant on the road, going 7-0 with a 2.17 ERA in 10 starts. Coming into this series, Boston was 23-15 in day games and Toronto 23-18.
Game 3 Edge: Toronto
Boston should have the edge in terms of pitching matchups, with a case to be made they should be favored in all three games. Because of pitching being such an important aspect of a series like this, one would believe tight games would be the norm with these AL East combatants. Instead, we find these teams seldom play close games, with only eight of the last 26 battles decided by two runs or less. This means bullpens come into play and the Blue Jays have 2.48 ERA at home and the Red Sox have 4.32 ERA in the traveling gray uniforms. This is enough to throw support to Toronto to take the series.
Sportsbook.com series odds: Boston -125, Toronto -105
StatFox Edge Pick: Toronto, 2008 Record – 10-6
MLB Top Weekend Power Trends
2008-08-22
We’re not quite to September yet and oddsmakers have already jumped the gun, having introduced pennant race
betting lines into the fold early. So far in August, 59 games up through Thursday’s action had shown lines of -200 or higher on favorites. For the entire month of August in ’07, 29 games reached that point. There figures to be a number of more games with heavy chalk lines this weekend, especially in the N.L., where the two teams with the best records face off against a pair of the worst clubs. Here’s a look at those series’, along with the rest of the key action, plus our weekly feature highlighting some of the Top StatFox Power Trends affecting the weekend.
Of the six games on Friday with lines of -200 or higher, ALL of them are in the senior circuit. That is for good reason too, as most of the competitive series’ lined up are in the American League. The two N.L. matchups that figure to boast hefty lines for each game of the weekend are Washington at Chicago, and Pittsburgh at Milwaukee. In fact, the only series’ that figure to have any meaning to both teams are Los Angeles at Philadelphia, and Florida visiting Arizona.
However, in the junior circuit, there are several intriguing matchups. In Toronto, the Red Sox will take on the Blue Jays with the latter trying to make one last push to get back into the wildcard hunt. These teams will play 10 games against one another the rest of the way and 7-games separate them in the standings heading into this weekend’s series. Toronto has gotten hot of late, going 7-2 in its last nine games, but only managed to pick up a game in the standings during that stretch.
Elsewhere in the American League, division leaders will go head-to-head in Chicago, when the Rays hook up with the White Sox for three games. The hosts come off a 3-game sweep of Seattle and have now won six in a row at home to push their record at U.S. Cellular Field to 45-19. They are still just ½ game ahead of Minnesota though in the Central Division. Tampa meanwhile, has stretched its lead in the East to 4-1/2 games entering weekend play.
Finally, the Twins will head west to take on the Angels in Anaheim. The Halos are already counting down magic numbers, as their lead has ballooned to 15-games in the West. Their elimination number is 21. The Twins are ½ game out of the division race and tied for the wildcard lead. They have won seven of their L8 games while the Angels have only won twice in their last eight.
Here are this weekend’s Top StatFox Power Trends…
WASHINGTON at CHICAGO CUBS
CHICAGO CUBS are 36-14 (+21.0 Units) against the money line vs. poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game this season. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 6.0, OPPONENT 3.6 - (Rating = 3*)
LA DODGERS at PHILADELPHIA
LA DODGERS are 1-9 (-8.6 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season this season. The average score was LA DODGERS 2.4, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 1*)
HOUSTON at NY METS
HOUSTON is 24-11 UNDER (+11.6 Units) when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season. The average score was HOUSTON 4.1, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 2*)
PITTSBURGH at MILWAUKEE
PITTSBURGH is 10-37 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in road games vs. teams averaging 3.5 or more extra base hits per game in the second half of the season since 1997. The average score was PITTSBURGH 4.1, OPPONENT 6.3 - (Rating = 1*)
ATLANTA at ST LOUIS
ATLANTA is 1-11 (-10.5 Units) against the money line vs. teams who strand 7.5 or more runners on base per game in the second half of the season this season. The average score was ATLANTA 3.4, OPPONENT 7.3 - (Rating = 2*)
CINCINNATI at COLORADO
COLORADO is 9-14 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse this season. The average score was COLORADO 5.2, OPPONENT 6.8 - (Rating = 1*)
FLORIDA at ARIZONA
FLORIDA is 29-13 (+18.1 Units) against the money line vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .325 or worse this season. The average score was FLORIDA 4.9, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 3*)
SAN DIEGO at SAN FRANCISCO
SAN DIEGO is 6-19 (-18.1 Units) against the money line vs. teams whose hitters draw 3 walks or less/game this season. The average score was SAN DIEGO 3.3, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 3*)
NY YANKEES at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 10-33 (-18.7 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +125 to +175 over the last 3 seasons. The average score was BALTIMORE 4.2, OPPONENT 6.5 - (Rating = 1*)
BOSTON at TORONTO
BOSTON is 4-13 (-12.7 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 4.2 or less runs/game in the second half of the season this season. The average score was BOSTON 3.8, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 3*)
CLEVELAND at TEXAS
TEXAS is 61-30 (+24.4 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an AL team with a batting average of .260 or worse in the second half of the season since 1997. The average score was TEXAS 6.2, OPPONENT 5.4 - (Rating = 1*)
DETROIT at KANSAS CITY
LEYLAND is 47-19 (+19.6 Units) against the money line as a road favorite of -125 or more as the manager of DETROIT. The average score was DETROIT 6.4, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 1*)
TAMPA BAY at CHI WHITE SOX
TAMPA BAY is 8-27 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in road games vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TAMPA BAY 3.4, OPPONENT 6.2 - (Rating = 1*)
MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS
MINNESOTA is 27-9 (+21.8 Units) against the money line vs. an average bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 to 4.50 this season. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.4, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 5*)
OAKLAND at SEATTLE
SEATTLE is 17-40 (-24.7 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was SEATTLE 3.8, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 3*)
MLB: Betting Baseball on Central Casting
2008-08-19
The American League Central Division has been a nip and tuck affair for weeks, with two of the unlikeliest teams competing. If this was Cleveland and Detroit going toe-to-toe in the later stages of August, this would have just played out as most would have figured. Instead, the Chicago White Sox emerged early in the season with salty skipper Ozzie Guillen leading the way and Minnesota played baseball the way it was intended and has outmaneuvered the opposition all season and is one game behind the White Sox in the division play and the same margin in the wild card chase.
Minnesota (70-54, +19.3 units) was stumped last night by Justin Duchscherer and Oakland 3-2, to fall a game behind Chicago. That ended the Twins four-game winning streak, as they banged out double digit hits for the fourth consecutive contest, but could not capitalize. Manager Ron Gardenhire was not overly concerned about one ball game, “We feel pretty good with ourselves. We’re not going to quit and we got back into it,” Gardenhire said. “With our ballclub you feel like you’re going to find a way to get a big hit and tie the ballgame. We just couldn’t come up with one.” The skipper has plenty of reason to feel pretty good about his club, the Twins haven’t been more than a game out of first place since July 30, when they were 1 1/2 games behind Chicago, and they haven’t lost consecutive games at home during the same series since losing the first two in a set against the New York Yankees May 30 and 31.
Minnesota is 17-5 against the money line in home games in the second half of the season and again faces an Oakland squad that is 6-23 since the All-Star break and has not won a series on the road since mid-June when they defeated San Francisco. Though last night’s loss was the first of its kind in 2008, the Twinkies are still awesome 13-1 with an on-base percentage of .393 or better over their last three games. Sportsbook.com likes the pitching matchup with the Twins Kevin Slowey (9-8, 3.94, 1.085 WHIP) facing the A’s Sean Gallagher (4-5, 4.50, 1.524), establishing them as -200 money line favorites with total of Un8.5. Minny is 44-23 at the Metrodome, garnering the second most profit in baseball at +20 units.
About 60 seconds later on the south side of Chicago, the White Sox (71-53, +14.4 units) will once again face the American League’s worst team in Seattle. The White Sox are back to 2005 World Series form, with solid starting pitching, a deep bullpen and bountiful home runs. At present, this club is not quite as good in the first two categories as its predecessor; nonetheless they are bopping the baseball, leading the majors in home runs with 182, including 33 this month alone. Carlos Quentin leads the big leagues with 35 and seven other players are in double figures.
The Pale Hose have won 38 of last 51 contests at US Cellular Field and are demolishing bad teams like the Mariners with 18-6 mark versus clubs with winning percentage below .400.
Left-hander Clayton Richard has the starting assignment for Chicago and has been dreadful to date with 0-2 record and 9.64 ERA, being recalled from the minors just this past Friday with Jose Contreras back on the disabled list.
Seattle at least will have a chance with Felix Hernandez (7-7, 3.04, 1.291) on the mound. Hernandez is 0-1 in last five starts, thanks to faulty bullpen and offense not always showing when he pitches. The Mariners are only 8-20 in last 28 contests; however is 5-0 in King Felix’s last five road starts against winning teams. The M’s have opened as -108 money line favorite, with total Ov9.
The total deserves consideration, with Seattle on 8-0 Over run and the White Sox launching homers everywhere. The Mariners are 7-0 Over facing lefties and Chicago is 11-4-1 Over when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
Since Minnesota and Chicago do not meet again until the last week of the season, plenty of scoreboard watching for both clubs down the stretch.
