Having fun with the All-Star Game

Of the various All-Star events, baseball’s is the best since the game is still in its purest form compared to the others. Basketball and hockey are defenseless matches designed for entertainment, football, not really sure what that even is with its special rules. Baseball is about pitching and hitting, just like it is for 162 games during the season, only with the sports brightest stars.

This year’s “Mid-Summer Classic” returns to Anaheim for the first time since 1989, when the host team was known as the California Angels. That season the Kansas City Royals Bo Jackson was the star of stars, taking home the MVP trophy.

The All-Star contest has had unusual runs of domination during its previous 80 conflicts (AL leads 40-38-2). Starting in 1950, the National League dominated the action, winning 33 of 40 games played, with one tie. Though the American League has not approached that length of dominance, they have controlled the action with 12-0-1 mark since 1997.

It is not a coincidence the American League has made the National League it own personal punching bag for over a decade. In reviewing the two All-Star rosters, the American League has more balance in terms of creating base hits and power, while the National League is lagging in the power department. The situation is made worse as three of the senior circuit’s top vote-getters are on the disabled list. (Chase Utley, Placido Palanco and Jason Heyward)

The National League is a +110 underdog based on recent history and being the visiting team. Nevertheless, they will have a number of quality arms to toe the rubber with the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Johnson, Tim Hudson and others.

The total of 8.5 could be a very inviting wager, as only five of the last 19 All-Star games have matched or gone below the number. However, playing in California does create different circumstances, since there will be ample sunlight early in the contest because of the start time, followed by a period in the middle innings when pitchers should have edge before the lights take full effect after dusk.

One of the best aspects of the All-Star game that few know about is Ichiro Suzuki’s pregame speech. Ichiro has always made this a personal battle and his pre-game comments are legendary in the American League locker room, both for their intensity and hilarity, trying to find the right English words to convey his enthusiasm and desire for winning.

Sports betting enthusiasts will have the opportunity to make several different wagers besides the side and total at online sports betting outlets and it can be fun to check out the various prop bet options available and pick up extra cash while enjoying the game.

Given how the AL has controlled their baseball brethren from the other league, it’s difficult to bet against the junior circuit and an Over play is also a logical conclusion to make. However, with pitching so dominant this season, I’ll suggest it carries over and make a small wager on the Under.

Enjoy the game!

No rain in Seattle forecast with this system

Success is too often defined by winning championships, since only one team can walk away with the trophy. The Seattle Mariners (82-76, +10.2 units) fit the profile of a successful baseball team in 2009. After losing an American League worst 101 games last season, the Mariners have assured themselves of a winning season, with a 20+ game improvement.

Seattle is 45-32 this year as Safeco Field and will go for the sweep of the Oakland A’s (75-83, +7.2 units) this evening. The Mariners turnaround revolved around pitching, defense and very little hitting outside of always dependable Ichiro Suzuki. Seattle, going into the final few days of the season ranks sixth in runs allowed (4.3), but are dead last in runs scored (4.0) on the year.

The starting pitching has frequently allowed the bullpen to not be overexposed, which has made them more productive when called upon, despite not having overwhelming ability. This has been the case in this series, where the M’s bullpen has only seen 2 1/3 innings of work. Doug Fister (2-4, 4.50 ERA) will try and keep the good times flowing against an Oakland club that is 0-10 in road games when playing against teams with win percentage of 51 to 54 percent, in the second half of the season over the last two years.

Before last Sunday, the A’s were in the process of making their body of work look respectable for the season, winning 16 games in 20 tries. However, since Sunday, they have lost three in a row, surrendering 20 runs in the process.

They will hand the ball to rookie Brett Anderson (11-10, 4.12), trying to salvage one game in the series. The 21-year-old left-hander is 4-0 with a 2.28 ERA in his last four outings, which included a victory over Seattle at home on Sept.5.

Because of how well Anderson is pitching, Bookmaker.com has established Oakland as -120 money line favorites, with the total Ov7.5. That sounds right as long as Anderson can pitch, but what about if the A’s overworked and unproductive bullpen is called upon? That is where today’s Top System comes into action.

Play On home teams when the money line is +125 to -125, with a well rested bullpen, who has thrown two innings or less in each of the last three games, against opponent after a game where the bullpen threw six or more innings.

Over the last dozen years, this system has delivered exceptional results at 31-8, 79.5 percent. With Seattle 14-5 after allowing one run or less (7-0 shutout last night) in a win over a division rival and the Athletics 5-18 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last two seasons, the Mariners could be a nice underdog play with a chance to go 8-1 at home versus Oakland this season.

Time to climb over the hump on Wednesday

It was a bad day at Bedrock (rare Flintstone’s reference) with 0-3 record. I really sense a tumultuous period, with lots of surprising underdogs winning. If you are not having good season, it might be time to bail and get ready for football or be very careful like yours truly over the next several days. The Best System is 90.9 percent and has complete article about it is written for today. The Top Trend features a Brewers pitcher and Randy of the LCC hopes to keep winning with Free play. Good Luck

What I learned yesterday - Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-5 in the Mariners' 7-6 win at Kansas City. It was the 600th multiple-hit game of Ichiro's nine-year major-league career. That's by far the most multi-hit games over a nine-year span during the live-ball era. The second-highest total during that time is 581 by Rogers Hornsby (1920-1928 and 1921-1929). Thanks Elias

Now on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System-1) See Reds article below.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Brandon Looper of Milwaukee is 1-11 when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last two seasons. (Team's Record)

Free Baseball Selection -3) Randy of the LCC pops up on 7-2 baseball run and likes the Rangers on the money line.

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