Archive for the ‘MLB Picks’ Category
World Series Game 1 A great pitching matchup begins the World Series on Wednesday night as the New York Yankees host the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1. It will be Cliff Lee going for the Phillies while CC Sabathia takes the mound for the Yankees. These former teammates have pitched extremely well during the postseason and each could get three starts in this series if it goes seven games. The Yankees are a -163 favorite with a total of 7.5 at bookmaker sportsbook Unlike past World Series matchups this one has everything. Each team has a premier ace pitcher, both teams have MVP sluggers and both teams can hit home runs. The teams met earlier this season for a series at Yankee Stadium and the Phillies took two of three. The Phillies are trying to become the first team to repeat as World Series champs since the 1998-2000 Yankees, and the first team to do it in the National League since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees are well aware that it won’t be easy against the defending champs. “They’re the defending champs. They’re playing extremely well,” manager Joe Girardi said. “We know they’re an extremely tough opponent.” The Yankees had the most wins in baseball betting this season and had little trouble getting past Minnesota and the Angels in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Wednesday’s game should be a great duel as Lee is 2-0 in three starts this postseason with a 0.74 ERA. Sabathia is 3-0 this postseason with a 1.19 ERA. The only thing that might prevent a pitcher’s duel is their career numbers. Sabathia is 1-2 with a 5.55 ERA in four career starts against the Phillies while Lee is 4-4 with a 5.02 ERA in nine career starts against New York. The Phillies are 8-3 in their last 11 games as a road underdog. The Phillies are 6-2 in Lee’s last 8 road starts. The Yankees are 41-10 in their last 51 home games. The Yankees are 10-1 in Sabathia’s last 11 starts as a home favorite. Tonights Pick: Phillies
Philadelphia at N.Y. Yankees
Wednesday, 7:57 pm Eastern – Fox
Alex Rodriguez has been superb in the postseason and Sabathia has been almost unhittable. On the other side, the Phillies got amazing pitching from Cliff Lee while Ryan Howard had 14 RBIs in nine games against Colorado and the Dodgers this postseason.
Tags: baseball, betting, mlb, phillies, sports, World Series, yankees
MLB All-Star Game SBG Global Opening Line: American - 110 , Total 9.5 Flat The National League will try and end the American League’s recent dominance in the All-Star game as the teams meet on Tuesday night in St. Louis. The American League is 11-0-1 in the last 12 All-Star games. Since 2003, the winner of the game has received home field advantage in the World Series although that advantage hasn’t meant much as the leagues have split the last six World Series. Bookmaker reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking American on the Road. Toronto’s Roy Halladay is the American League starter. He is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. Halladay was picked by American League manager Joe Maddon over Kansas City’s Zack Grienke who actually has better numbers. “It’s very difficult to pick that one guy,” Maddon said, “It’s not an easy decision to make. Based on this season and the body of work, I thought he deserved the nod.” Halladay is the third different Blue Jay to start an All-Star Game, joining David Wells in 2000 and Dave Stieb in 1983 and ‘84. The American League lineup has Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki leading off followed by New York’s Derek Jeter, Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, New York’s Mark Teixeira, Boston’s Jason Bay, Texas’s Josh Hamilton, Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria, Toronto’s Aaron Hill and Halladay. Florida’s Hanley Ramirez leads off for the National League followed by Philadelphia’s Chase Utley, Pujols, Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, Philadelphia’s Raul Ibanez, New York’s David Wright, Philadelphia’s Shane Victorino, Yadier Molina of St. Louis and Lincecum. SBG Global Current Line: American - 113 , Total 9.5 Under – 115 The American League has won the last six All-Star Games, including last year’s 4-3 win in 15 innings. The last time the MLB Betting National League won was in 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Pick: National
Tuesday, 8:20 pm Eastern – Fox
The National League has two things going for them this year as they try and break the American League’s winning streak. They have the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols and they have the best pitcher in the game in Tim Lincecum on the mound. Pujols is hitting .332 (fourth in the NL) with 32 homers and 87 RBIs (both lead the majors). Lincecum is 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA this season. Last season he missed out on the All-Star game due to illness but this year he gets the start. “This is obviously a great accomplishment for me,” Lincecum told MLB.com, “I’m just excited to be a member of this team again.” Lincecum leads the league in strikeouts with 149. Lincecum will be the fifth different San Francisco Giants pitcher to start an All-Star Game. Jason Schmidt started in 2003, while Rick Reuschel started the 1989 game and Vida Blue started in 1978. Juan Marichal started in 1965 and in 1967.
Tags: All-Star, baseball, mlb, sports
Home Run Derby Preview The 2009 Home Run Derby on Monday will feature a number of top home run hitters including local favorite Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Pujols leads the league in home runs while San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez is second. Gonzalez is also in the contest along with Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder, Texas’ Nelson Cruz, Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena and Detroit’s Brandon Inge. While the list may not seem imposing other than Pujols it is very representative of the league leaders. Pujols leads the National League and is the favorite in Home Run Derby odds while Gonzalez is second and Howard and Fielder are tied for fifth. Pena leads the American League with Cruz second and Inge tied for fourth. Howard won the Home Run Derby in 2006 while Pujols was the runner-up to Garret Anderson in the 2003 event. Current HR Derby Homerun Odds from Bookmaker Sportsbook ALBERT PUJOLS +180 Many of the players around baseball didn’t want to compete in the Home Run Derby because they fear it will mess up their swing but not Minnesota’s Joe Mauer. “I just think it’s a great event,” Mauer said. “Home Run Derby — I always told my buddies when we were younger — we always played it in the back yard and stuff like that. I always told them, if I ever had the opportunity to do it, I would jump at it, and it happened this year.” Mauer is one of the few people not worried that his swing will be affected. “I don’t think one night will affect your swing for the rest of the season,” Mauer said. “It might be a little tiring, but as far as mechanically, I don’t think so.” Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz is not worried about messing up his swing either. “I hear people say that,” Cruz said. “It’s just like taking BP for me. I always do better the second half [of the season]. I don’t know why. I work a lot harder, trying to keep myself strong until the end of the season. I don’t worry about it.” Cruz’s teammate Josh Hamilton finished second last year and Cruz thinks he has a shot this year. “I think I have a chance,” Cruz said, “I don’t expect to hit 20 homers like Josh.” Pena was added to the All-Star roster as a late replacement for Dustin Pedroia and was the final person added to the MLB Betting Home Run Derby. He is excited to be a part of it. “It’s just a cool thing,” Pena aid. “That’s the best way to describe it. It would be so cool.” Our Pick to win the HR derby is: Adrian Gonzalez!
Monday, 8:00 pm Eastern – ESPN
RYAN HOWARD +275
ADRIAN GONZALEZ +500
JOE MAUER +850
PRINCE FIELDER +350
NELSON CRUZ +800
BRANDON INGE +1000
CARLOS PENA +600 .
Tags: adrian gonzalez, albert pujols, All-Star game, allstar, baseball, betting, mlb, ryan howard
MLB Betting Preview SBG Global Opening Line: Dodgers - 150 , Total 8.5 Over – 120 Two of the top teams in the National League begin a weekend series in Milwaukee as the Brewers host the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers send their ace, Chad Billingsley on Friday while the Brewers counter with Braden Looper. Billingsley will be going for his 10th win of the season on Friday. He is 9-4 with a 3.14 ERA this season while Looper is 7-4 with a 4.78 ERA. SBG Global reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking Dodgers on the Road. Billingsley hasn’t gotten a win since June 14th but not all of that is his fault. He had a sure win get away in his last start when Jonathan Broxton blew the save. He is 2-0 in his career against the Brewers. Looper is coming off a solid outing against the Cubs where he allowed just two run on six hits in six innings. He is 4-1 at home this season with a 4.03 ERA in ten starts. The Brewers expect to get Corey Hart back on Friday. He injured his foot on Tuesday but hopes to be back in the lineup on Friday. He is hitting .256 this season with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. “We have two guys who have basically carried us,” Hart said about All-Stars Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, “and now Casey [McGehee] is coming on strong. We’re right in the hunt, [even though] a bunch of guys aren’t doing what they want to do. It could be a lot worse. We’re all going to get better offensively. You figure it’s got to turn around. We’ll put up numbers when we get that consistency going.” Here are the MLB Betting stats for Friday’s game. The Dodgers are 5-0 in their last five series openers. The Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Dodgers are 35-17 in the last 52 meetings against Milwaukee. The Brewers are 16-7 in their last 23 series openers. The Brewers are 6-13 in their last 19 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Brewers are 7-3 in Looper’s last 10 home starts. SBG Global Current Line: Dodgers - 133 , Total 8.5 Over – 120 The Over is 6-1 in the Dodgers last 7 road games. The Under is 5-1 in the Brewers last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 8-2 in the Brewers last 10 vs. the National League West. The Over is 4-1 in Looper’s last 5 starts overall. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. Pick: Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers
Friday, 8:05 pm Eastern
Tags: baseball, baseball pick, betting, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, mlb, mlb pick, sports
MLB Betting Preview SBG Global Opening Line: Yankees - 135 , Total 9.5 Under – 120 A. J. Burnett will try to keep his hot streak going as the New York Yankees visit the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. Burnett is 7-4 on the season with a 3.74 ERA and he has been excellent of late. Last Friday he gave up just two runs in seven innings against Toronto while striking out seven. He has allowed just three earned runs in his last four starts overall. SBG Global reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking Yankees on the Road. The Twins counter with Glen Perkins on Wednesday. He is 4-4 with a 4.38 ERA this season. He pitched well in his last start against Kansas City, allowing just one run in seven innings. He has had very little success in his career against the Yankees going 1-3 with a 7.71 ERA in four starts. The Twins have played very well at home this season and the Yankees know it will not be easy. “Minnesota’s very tough in that building, and they’ve been playing well, too.” Manager Joe Giradi said, “We know these are two tough series, but we’ll worry about Minnesota first and then move on.” New York is trying to cap off a successful first half of the season. “We just want to continue to play well,” said Derek Jeter, “We’re doing a lot of good things around here, and that’s what you want to continue until the All-Star break. We’ve got six more games at Minnesota and Anaheim, and they both play us tough. We want to just continue this.” Here are the MLB Betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Yankees are 6-0 in their last 6 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Yankees are 19-7 in their last 26 vs. the American League Central. The Yankees are 5-0 in Burnett’s last 5 starts as a favorite. The Yankees are 5-2 in Burnett’s last 7 starts overall. SBG Global Current Line: Yankees - 135 , Total 9.5 Under – 120 The Twins are 11-4 in their last 15 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Twins are 15-36 in their last 51 vs. the American League East. The Under is 9-4-1 in the Yankees last 14 road games. The Under is 4-0-1 in Burnett’s last 5 road starts. The Under is 5-2 in the Twins last 7 home games. The Under is 5-0 in Perkins’ last 5 starts as a home underdog. The Under is 9-4 in Perkins’ last 13 starts overall. Pick: Twins
New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins
Wednesday, 8:10 pm Eastern
Tags: aj burnet, baseball, Minnesota Twins, mlb, New York Yankees, sports
It is only July but a big series in the National League Central gets underway on Tuesday as the Milwaukee Brewers host the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers are not playing well, having lost four of their last five and they believe this is a must-win series against the Cardinals. “It’s crucial,” Ryan Braun said, “We don’t want to dig ourselves too big of a hole. It’s always important to have some momentum going into the second half to show everybody that we’re for real and that we can make a move and improve our ballclub. We need to be headed in the right direction and not the wrong direction in order to do that.” SBG Global reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking Brewers at Home. Milwaukee has won four of the six games against St. Louis this season but they are facing a St. Louis Cardinals team that has won four of their last five and has superstar Albert Pujols who is red-hot. Pujols leads the league with 31 home runs and 82 RBIs. This is a key week before the All-Star break for both teams as after this series the Brewers host the Dodgers while the Cardinals visit the Cubs. Milwaukee sends Yovani Gallardo to the mound on Tuesday. He is 8-5 with a 2.75 ERA this season. He gave up just one run and five hits in seven innings in his last start against the Mets but got no run support in a 1-0 loss. Gallardo has had very little run support this season. He is pitching great though and has a 1.70 ERA in his last eight starts. St. Louis goes with Adam Wainwright on Tuesday. He is 8-5 with a 3.32 ERA. He allowed just one run and six hits in his last outing against San Francisco. He is 1-1 against Milwaukee this year but has allowed only two runs and seven hits in those 15 innings. Here are the MLB Betting stats for Tuesday’s game. The Cardinals are 4-1 in their last 5 overall. The Cardinals are 8-3 in their last 11 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Cardinals are 7-1 in Wainwright’s last 8 road starts. The Cardinals are 3-11 in the last 14 meetings between the two teams. SBG Global Current Line: Brewers - 146 , Total 7.5 Over – 115 The Brewers are 5-12 in their last 17 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Brewers are 1-4 in their last 5 overall. The Brewers are 5-2 in Gallardo’s last 7 home starts. The Under is 6-2-1 in the Cardinals last 9 games as a road underdog. The Over is 11-1-1 in Wainwright’s last 13 road starts. The Over is 5-2 in the Brewers last 7 overall. The Under is 4-1 in Gallardo’s last 5 home starts.
Tags: baseball, betting, gambling, Milwaukee Brewers, mlb, sports, St. Louis Cardinals
MLB Betting Preview SBG Global Opening Line: Dodgers – 112 , Total 8 Under – 120 The battle of Los Angeles resumes on Friday night as the Angels host the Dodgers. Late last month it was the Angels winning two of three at Dodger Stadium so the Dodgers will try and return the favor this weekend. It may not be easy considering the Angels are 8-1 against the National League this season. SBG Global reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking Dodgers on the Road. The Angels have won six straight and are playing their best ball of the season. Interleague play has definitely helped the Angels get going. Friday’s matchup should be a good one as Chad Billingsley goes for the Dodgers while the Angels counter with Joe Saunders. Billingsley won his 9th game of the year in his last start against the Rangers, tying him for the National League lead in wins. He has gone at least six innings in 13 of 14 starts. He is 1-2 with a 2.45 ERA in five career games against the Angels. Saunders was great in his last outing against San Diego and nearly pitched a complete game. He gave up just one run on eight hits. He is 1-1 in two career outings against the Dodgers with a 2.92 ERA. Here are the MLB Betting stats for Friday’s game. The Dodgers are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Dodgers are 14-37 in their last 51 interleague road games. The Dodgers are 5-1 in Billingsley’s last 6 road starts. The Dodgers are 7-20 in the last 27 meetings at the Angels. Bookmaker Sportsbook Current Line: Dodgers – 110 , Total 8 Over – 115 The Angels are 4-0 in their last 4 home games. The Angels are 18-5 in their last 23 vs. the National League West. The Angels are 28-13 in Saunders’ last 41 home starts. The Under is 6-1 in the Dodgers last 7 road games. The Under is 11-4 in the Dodgers last 15 Interleague games. The Under is 4-0-2 in Billingsley’s last 6 road starts. The Under is 11-5 in the Angels last 16 home games. Pick: Angels
Los Angeles Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels
Friday, 10:05 pm Eastern
“From an offensive end, I don’t think we’re a traditional American League club with the DH,” said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, “We’ve got guys who rotate there, which gives you flexibility in National League parks. I think it helps us maybe sometimes more than some American League clubs going in a National League park.” The Angels are looking at getting Valdimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter back into the starting lineup on Friday.
Tags: baseball, free baseball pick, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, mlb, sports
Toronto Blue Jays at Philadelphia Phillies SBG Global Opening Line: Phillies - 130 , Total 10 Over – 120
The Toronto Blue Jays are one team that could do without Interleague play. Before last night’s game the Blue Jays were 0-6 in Interleague play this season. “It’s hard to explain. Some teams beat up on you — some teams don’t,” manager Cito Gaston said. Last season the Blue Jays were 8-9 in Interleague play. Usually American League teams beat up on National League teams but that is not the case with Toronto. Only Baltimore, Kansas City and Tampa Bay have worse all-time records in Interleague play than Toronto does. SBG Global reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking Blue Jays on the Road. “National League people say, ‘Oh, we’re the one who’s getting screwed,’” Gaston said. “To me, you’re just getting a hitter, putting him in there and letting him hit. It’s nothing else happening. You’re getting a guy off the bench to get some at-bats. I’m pretty sure that, Philly, when they go somewhere, they will let [Matt] Stairs hit so he can get some at-bats. So, I don’t see how it can be a disadvantage for them. It’s more of a disadvantage for us. This next road trip, Philly and going into Washington, I lose my [designated hitter]. I get my pitchers in danger of getting hurt. People talk about bunting, I’m just talking about getting out of the way of the ball.” Jamie Moyer gets the start for the Phillies on Wednesday. He allowed only eight hits and three runs and struck out three in six innings last Thursday against the Mets. He is 1-2 with a 3.77 ERA in his last five starts. Here are the MLB Betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Blue Jays are 20-41 in their last 61 Interleague games as an underdog. The Blue Jays are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Blue Jays are 2-10 in their last 12 road games. The Phillies are 7-2 in their last 9 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Phillies are 7-3 in Moyer’s last 10 home starts. Bookmaker Current Line: Phillies - 130 , Total 10 Flat
The Over is 4-0 in the Blue Jays last 4 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Under is 8-2-1 in the Phillies last 11 games as a home favorite. The Under is 5-0 in Moyer’s last 5 starts overall. Pick: Over 10 runs
Wednesday, 7:05 pm Eastern – ESPN
Tags: baseball, Cito Gaston, espn, mlb, Philadelphia Phillies, sports, Toronto Blue Jays
NBA Betting Preview The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks resume their rivalry on Thursday in Dallas in a nationally televised game on TNT. The Rockets lead the all-time series against Dallas 74-62 but Dallas holds a 35-32 edge against the Rockets at home. The last time the teams met at Dallas the Rockets won 113-98 as Tracy McGrady had 31 points. Josh Howard led the Mavericks in that game with 21 points. That win by the Rockets broke a six game losing streak against Dallas. The Mavericks have had to wait a long time to play their season opener, as almost all of the other teams in the league opened on Tuesday or Wednesday. The opener will not be easy as Houston is a team that many experts like in the Western Conference this season. “They’re one of a select few that is a real serious championship contender,” Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle said. “Of the teams I’ve seen, there as good as, or better than, any of them. They’re a tough matchup with their three star players. We’re going to have to be real good defensively as a team to beat them. That’s just a fact.” Here are the NBA betting stats for Thursday’s game. The Rockets are 24-8-3 ATS in their last 35 Thursday games. The Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. the Southwest. The Rockets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on no rest. The Rockets are 28-13-1 ATS in their last 42 games overall. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. The Rockets are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings between the two teams. The Mavericks are 39-18-1 ATS in their last 58 vs. the Southwest. The Mavericks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Mavericks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. the Western Conference. The Mavericks are 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 Thursday games. SBG Global Current Line: Mavericks - 5 , Total 191 The Over is 4-0 in the Rockets last 4 Thursday games. The Over is 4-1 in the Rockets last 5 vs. the Southwest. The Under is 8-3 in the Rockets last 11 overall. Pick: Rockets 3 out of 5 untis
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks
Thursday, 8:05 pm Eastern – TNT
SBG Global Opening Line: Mavericks - 3.5 , Total 191.5
SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Rockets on the Road.
Tags: baseball, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, mlb, sports
World Series Game 3 Betting Preview SBG Global Opening Line: Rays – 115 , Total 9.5 Under – 125 The World Series moves to Philadelphia for the next three games after the Rays and Phillies split the first two games in Tampa Bay. The Phillies may feel good getting a split in Tampa but it could be the Rays that have the edge in the next two games with Matt Garza facing Jamie Moyer on Saturday and Andy Sonnanstine against Joe Blanton on Sunday. SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Rays on the Road. Garza was brilliant in the ALCS against the Red Sox and earned the MVP award. He had a 1.38 ERA in two starts. If he pitches anywhere near that good in Philadelphia the Rays should win Game 3. The Phillies turn to the veteran Jamie Moyer on Saturday and he is coming off a terrible outing in the NLCS where he allowed six runs in just 1 1/3 innings against the Dodgers. He didn’t pitch much better in the NLDS against the Brewers. Here are the MLB betting stats for Saturday’s games. The Rays are 7-1 in their last 8 interleague games vs. a left-handed starter. The Rays are 5-1 in their last 6 interleague road games. The Rays are 8-2 in their last 10 vs. the National League East. The Rays are 15-7 in their last 22 Saturday games. The Rays are 4-11 in their last 15 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Rays are 1-4 in Garza’s last 5 road starts. The Rays are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings between the two teams. The Phillies are 4-0 in their last 4 playoff home games. The Phillies are 5-1 in their last 6 Saturday games. The Phillies are 22-6 in their last 28 home games. The Phillies are 21-6 in their last 27 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Phillies are 18-37 in their last 55 interleague games. The Phillies are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. the American League East. The Phillies are 4-1 in Moyer’s last 5 home starts. The Phillies are 1-6 in Moyer’s last 7 Saturday starts. SBG Global Current Line: Rays – 115 , Total 9.5 Under – 125 The Under is 4-0 in the Rays last 4 playoff games. The Under is 5-1 in the Rays last 6 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Over is 8-3 in the Rays last 11 road games. The Over is 4-1 in Garza’s last 5 Saturday starts. The Under is 4-0-1 in the Phillies last 5 Saturday games. The Under is 9-2 in the Phillies last 11 interleague games. The Under is 9-3 in the Phillies last 12 playoff games. The Under is 9-4 in the Phillies last 13 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 16-7 in Moyer’s last 23 starts overall. The Under is 7-3-2 in the last 12 meetings between the two teams. Pick: 1 unit Drays, 2 units over
Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies (Series tied 1-1)
Saturday, 8:15 pm Eastern – FOX
Tags: baseball, mlb, Philadelphia Phillies, sports, Tampa Bay Rays, World Series
