7-15-13

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Rounding the bases: The best bets in the bigs

Every week we take a look at the hottest and coldest teams as well as the best over and under bets in Major League Baseball.

For the week of July 8-14.

Hot team: Tampa Bay Rays
Last week: 6-1
Season: 55-41
Upcoming schedule: at Blue Jays

Skinny: No team is hotter than the Rays heading into the All-Star break. Tampa has wins in 14 of its last 16 games, but hits the road for a nasty 10-game road trip beginning Friday.

Cold team: Houston Astros
Last week: 1-3
Season: 33-61
Upcoming schedule: vs. Mariners

Skinny: The Astros only have three wins in their last 15 games and should be very active sellers leading up to the trade deadline.

Over team: San Francisco Giants
Last week: 6-1 over/under
Season: 49-42-3 over/under
Upcoming schedule: vs. Diamondbacks

Skinny: The Giants still played over the total despite Tim Lincecum’s no-hitter on Saturday.

Under team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Last week: 0-6 over/under
Season: 39-52-2 over/under
Upcoming schedule: at Reds

Skinny: The Pirates have gone low in eight consecutive game, increasing their stature as one of the best under plays in the league.

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MLB Top 5: Baseball's best bets after the All-Star break
By JASON LOGAN

The real baseball season begins after the All-Star break, with teams rounding the bend in the playoff race.

The Oakland Athletics have actually earned the most units for baseball bettors following the All-Star Game over the past five seasons at +31.85 units. However, +30.40 of those earnings came last summer when the A’s went 51-25 in the second half of the schedule. Before 2012, Oakland was 135-150 for just +1.45 units after the break.

We look at which teams have consistently been breadwinners during the home stretch of the season.

Stats as of 2008.

Best post-break bets

Philadelphia Phillies (224-139, +30.77 units)

The Phillies have been in the black following the break in each of the past five seasons, including earning +8.62 units in 2012. Philadelphia’s biggest windfall came from a 50-25 record in 2010 which earned +15.60 units. The Phillies could be tuning up for another post-break bonanza, going 7-3 in their last 10 outings as of Friday.

Milwaukee Brewers (200-161, +26.54 units)

The Brew Crew have funded plenty of late-summer beer funds with their winnings following the break. Milwaukee went 47-23 and won +19.42 units in 2011. Those profits seem like a lifetime away for Brewers bettors, who have suffered through a 37-54 record and a MLB-worst -18.00 units in the first half of this season heading into the weekend.

San Francisco Giants (198-163, +19.95 units)

The Giants caught fire in the second half of the schedule and rode that to a World Series title last year. They posted a 48-28 mark after the break and brought in +15.10 units for Bay Area bettors. It’s been hit or miss for San Francisco backers in the second half of the schedule the past few years. The team was -12.31 units in the hole following the break in 2011 but won +12.81 units in the home stretch of 2010.

Tampa Bay Rays (207-156, +17.36 units)

The Rays have been one of the most consistent winners of the post-ASG schedule since 2008, posting the third-best win/loss record and earning the fifth-most units. Tampa Bay was a cash cow in the summer of 2008, going 42-26 and bringing home +15.22 units en route to the AL Pennant.

Baltimore Orioles (164-202, +14.92 units)

The Orioles have been one of the better post-break bets over the past three seasons, earning +49.13 units between 2010 and 2012 with a collective 118-107 record. However, Baltimore dug a deep hole for its loyal fans after the ASG in 2008 and 2009, burning through -18.93 and -15.28 units respectively – both ranked second worst in the majors for that season.

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All-Star betting: Updated Home Run Derby odds

The MLB Home Run Derby will be front and center Monday night and sportsbooks have had odds out for a while since the field was announced.

Here’s a look at where each contestant opened and where they sit now:

Prince Fielder

Opened: +350
Now: +400

Chris Davis

Opened: +350
Now: + 400

Bryce Harper

Opened: +450
Now: +500

Robinson Cano

Opened: +500
Now: +500

Yoenis Cespedes

Opened: +500
Now: +600

Pedro Alvarez (replacement for Carlos Gonzalez)

Now: +600

David Wright

Opened: +800
Now: +1,000

Michael Cuddyer

Opened: +900
Now: +1,000

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MLB All-Star Game: Tale of the tape

American League at National League (-127, 8)

Betting the Midsummer Classic can be tricky because of the numerous pitching and lineup changes throughout the game. With that in mind, let’s break down both teams to see who has the edge.

Catcher

AL –Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
NL –Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

Yadier Molina will be making his sixth All-Star appearance and is among the league leaders in batting average and doubles.

Edge: NL

First base

AL –Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles
NL – Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

Chris Davis is having a breakout season, bashing a league-leading 37 homers by the break.

Edge: AL

Second base

AL – Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
NL –Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds

The Yankees have been ravaged by injuries all season long but the big bat of Robinson Cano has kept them in the playoff hunt.

Edge: AL

Shortstop

AL –J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles
NL –Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

Troy Tulowitzki has carried the Rockies all season long and is without a doubt one of the best at his position.

Edge: NL

Third base

AL –Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
NL –David Wright, New York Mets

David Wright will have the support of the hometown crowd, but Miggy gives opposing pitchers nightmares.

Edge: AL

Outfield

AL – Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels, Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles, Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays.
NL – Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals, Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies, Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

Both teams feature outfields with speed and power, but give the AL the slight edge here.

Edge: AL

Starting pitching

The managers haven’t announced their starters yet, but this already looks too close to call. Max Scherzer, Felix Hernandez or Chris Sale are the frontrunners to get the ball for the AL while the NL could send Clayton Kershaw, Patrick Corbin or Matt Harvey to the hill. Either way, these top-notch hurlers should cancel each other out.

Edge: Even

Bullpens

Again, a lot of guesswork here since most of these guys won’t seem more than an inning of work. Based on the overall quality of the its closing pitchers (Jason Grilli, Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel) you could give a slight edge to the NL

Edge: NL

Reserve position players

The American League definitely boasts the bigger bats off the bench with the likes of Prince Fielder, Edwin Encarnacion, Manny Machado, Dustin Pedroia and Nelson Cruz coming off the pine.

Edge: AL


Overall Edge: AL

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CFL road teams go a perfect 4-0 ATS in Week 3

CFL road teams went 3-1 straight up and 4-0 against the spread in Week 3.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders, Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions all covered as road teams this past week.

Here are the best and worstt bets after three weeks of action:

Best bet: Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS)

The Green Riders improved to 3-0 with a 39-28 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in Week 3. Saskatchewan is now the Grey Cup favorite at +240 after opening the campaign as a +800 underdog in CFL futures.

Worst bet: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-2 SU, 0-3 ATS)

The Ticats scored their first win of the season in Week 3 over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers but failed to cover the 5.5-point spread. Hamilton is 0-3 ATS heading into a tough Week 4 showdown with the Roughriders.

Over/under combined numbers to date:

Week 1: 4-0 O/U
Week 2: 1-3 O/U
Week 3: 1-3 O/U
Total: 6-6 O/U

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Yankees Sunday and likes Robinson Cano (5-1) in the Home Run Derby Monday.

The deficit is 1090 sirignanos.

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Best bets in baseball prior to the All-Star break

Baseball bettors get a breather for the next four days , but it’s a good idea to look back at some of the best bets from the unofficial first half of the season and make adjustments moving forward.

Best Money Team

Pittsburgh Pirates (56-36, +24.98 units)

The Pirates have been by far the most profitable bet in the bigs to this point and are riding a three-game winning streak into the break.

Best Money Pitcher

The Diamondbacks’ Patrick Corbin has been a pleasant surprise for bettors in the first half. Arizona is 17-2 in the rookie’s 19 starts and any $100 bettor would be $1,445 if they had wagered on each of those outings.

Best Over Bets

Detroit Tigers – 51-41-2 over/under
Los Angeles Angels - 50-40-3 over/under
New York Mets - 49-38-4 over/under

Best Under Bets

Texas Rangers - 35-55-5 over/under
Kansas City Royals - 37-51-4 over/under
Pittsburgh Pirates - 39-52-2 over/under

Best Over Umpire (With at least 10 appearances behind home plate)

Angel Hernandez - 16-5 over/under

Best Under Umpire (With at least 10 appearances behind home plate)

Kerwin Danley – 4-11 over/under

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Soccer Crusher
El Salvador + Haiti OVER 2
This match is happening in CONCACAF
(System Record: 428-15, won last 3 games)
Overall Record: 428-366-56

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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 1063-796 (58 + %) over the last 5 1/2 years !

Free winner American + 125

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Cappers Access

American +130

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HOME RUN DERBY

SPORTCHATPLACE

Round 1:

Prince Fielder

Chris Davis

Robinson Cano

Bryce Harper



Round 2:

Chris Davis

Prince Fielder



Winner:

Chris Davis

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"Mr Chalk" 2013 MLB Season

Ben lee won both plays the Fightin Phillies -$170/White Sox and the Padres -$150/Giants for $50 on Sunday to close out week fifteen and the 1st half of the 2013 MLB Season.

For Monday Ben lee is playing two in the Home Run Derby Bryce Harper 5-1 and Pedro Alvarez 7-1 for $10 each.

"Mr Chalk" is an unheard of 62-33 +$1129 for the 2013 MLB Season.

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Handicapping Kings

Just opinions for tonight HR contest if you choose to play

JIMMY'S SELECTION

Pedro Alvarez (replacement for Carlos Gonzalez) +600

MARCS SELECTION

Yoenis Cespedes +600

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GoodFella

MLB 2013 HOME RUN DERBY PICK(s)

CHRIS DAVIS +350

PEDRO ALVAREZ +550

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JR ODonnell

Home Run "DERBY " Play

Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland A's TO MAKE SOME NOISE TONIGHT @ THE HR DERBY

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SportsPickOnline

Home Run Derby Opinion

Pedro Alvarez +600

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Playersbet

Chris Davis
Prince Fielder

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Mike Wynn

Free Play: Take Bryce Harper In The Home Run Derby

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Platinum Plays

Free Pick: Home Run Derby Take Robinson Cano

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Easy Money Sports

Lee's Free Monday Selection
BRYCE HARPER 5/1 to WIN HR DERBY

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Blasscyk WINS on ESPN radio NY today David Wright to win HR derby

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VEGAS RUNNER

2013 HOME RUN DERBY (To Win)

1.) PEDRO ALVAREZ +700

Obviously DAVIS and FIELDER are well deserving of being listed as the favs..but I don't think the market's offering up much value on either so I went another direction. Enjoy the Break.

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Jay Kornegay
The LVH SuperBook

Home Run Derby odds Update

Davis the Fav, Fielder & Harper 2nd choice.

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MLB Home Run Derby has history of hefty paydays
By JASON LOGAN

Anyone who tells you betting on things like the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby is for squares, kindly show them the winners of the past six derbies and their odds.

David Ortiz, who won the 2010 Home Run Derby, had the highest price tag of those six sluggers, set at +300 before sending 32 total big flys over the wall at Angel Stadium.

Vlad Guerrero (+600) won in 2007, Justin Morneau (+550) in 2008, Prince Fielder (+500) in 2009, Ortiz (+300) in 2010, Robinson Cano (+900) in 2011, and Fielder (+600) again last summer. That group has helped “square” bettors get through the All-Star break with some healthy paydays.

Sure, the limits may be low on Home Run Derby odds but the people complaining about that are the same ones who bitch and moan about the long-ball exhibition each July. To them we say, relax, put your feet up, throw down $20 and enjoy the best power hitters in baseball.

Here’s a look at this year’s MLB Home Run Derby odds:

Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (+400)

The defending home run champ has 16 round trippers on the year, one less than at the break last season, including three this month. Fielder won in 2009 but sat out the 2010 contest and managed only nine HRs in 2011.

Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles (+400)

The MLB home run leader has 37 long balls at the break, bringing a four-game HR streak into the derby. Being the biggest bat in the derby hasn’t always panned out. Jose Bautista led the majors in HRs at the break the past two years and couldn't translate that into a derby title.

Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals (+500)

These odds could be based more on Harper’s popularity as a player than his actual chances of winning the derby, but he did have a two-HR game at Citi Field earlier this season. Harper has 13 dingers on the year in limited action.

Robinson Cano, New York Yankees (+500)

Cano was the 2011 derby winner and has swatted 21 wayward pitches over the fence this season. He was captain of the AL squad last year and posted a goose egg, getting an earful from the Kauffman Stadium crowd, who didn’t take kindly to his snubbing of Royals slugger Billy Butler when picking the team.

Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland A’s (+600)

The A’s young outfielder was one of the last men named to the derby roster. He has 15 home runs heading into the derby and hasn’t touched ‘em all since a two-HR performance at Seattle on June 21. Cespedes is only the fourth derby participant to not make the All-Star cut.

Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Pirates (+600)

Alvarez is a replacement for Carlos Gonzalez, who bowed out with injuries. Baseball fans were pissed when the Bucs' bomber was excluded from the original derby roster, so Alvarez could have added motivation to put on a show after the initial snub. He has 24 home runs at the break - second most in the NL - and has a feel for Citi Field, having launched a dinger during the Pirates' three-game set in New York back in May.

David Wright, New York Mets (+1,000)

The NL team captain has the home field advantage at Citi Field but has hit only three of his total 13 home runs in front of the Big Apple faithful. Wright put on a solid show in 2006, totaling 22 HRs to finish second. But that was a long, long time ago.

Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies (+900)

Fans hissed when Wright added the aging Cuddyer to the NL roster. The 12-year veteran has 16 bombs, four more than he had at the break last season, however, nine of those homers have come at Coors Field. He’s on pace for his best season since hitting 32 in 2009 but should worry more about derby messing with his swing and .330 BA, which ranks third in the NL.

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DHayes

NBA Summer League Play

1* Hawks -2