Breakaway Friday

A split from Thursday has us at 143-84 and we look to build on this record with an 80 percent system in the AL. Also in the junior circuit, one club is on a long losing streak in a particular situation. Good Luck

What I’m letting you know today – From Elias Sports: James McDonald, who was traded to the Pirates by the Dodgers last week, won his debut with Pittsburgh on Thursday and in the process of doing so became the first starting pitcher to allow no runs and strike out at least eight batters in his first game for the Pirates since 1907, when Nick Maddox threw a shutout with 11 strikeouts in his major-league debut.

The GUARANTEED Plays missed on the Dodgers last night as James Loney left four runners on base in his last two at-bats when the score was still 3-0. Moving ahead to today, I have an Out of the Park Guaranteed Baseball Winner and Twin Pack of MLB Night Time Winners. Join 3Daily Winners and cash in with these Guaranteed Plays.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 like Cleveland, a weak hitting team with batting average of .260 or less, against a very good AL starting pitcher with ERA of 3.50 or less, whose batting .200 or worse over their last three games. This system just meets our criteria at 56-14, 80 percent.

Free Baseball Trend –2) The Boston Red Sox are 0-11 in road games vs. AL teams scoring 5.2 or more runs a game in the second half of the season over the last two years.

Free Baseball Pick -3) LCC Friday consensus is 5-0 on San Diego over Arizona.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

Cross country travel having impact on baseball betting

With the month of August now front and center, thoughts of football have started creeping into those betting on sports and fantasy football enthusiasts. The idea slipped into my head about one of the more common aspects of football betting often discussed, cross-country trips. The reasons are obvious why this situation is problematic, as players have to adjust body-clocks when changing three time zones and might not be fully prepared physically or mentally come game time.

This led to pulling out shovel and seeing if this had any impact on Major League Baseball.

The criteria set up was a team had to fly East or West thru three time zones. I neglected to worry about if there was a day off in between games and used only the initial contest as a benchmark.

At the start of this season, I disregarded the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning play in Pittsburgh, since they had ample time to arrive. I did however count teams from the East that flew West for a couple of series and traveled back towards home base, but played one more road series in their regular time zone after again jetting across the lower 48.

Baseball has differences compared to football that can be nit-picked, like starting pitcher situations are always different, making money lines more volatile. Certain divisions can be stronger or weaker, however that would also be true of football, studying an extended period of time.

Since I do not recall seeing this information in the marketplace recently, my first thought was it might be pointless, with nothing being learned one way or the other.

Started with 2009 to get a full season record and had to admit, was underwhelmed. The overall record was nondescript 31-32, -3.35 units. That season the AL West was the big loser with 3-9 record and -6 units.

Undeterred, went back one more year to 2008 and found something more worthwhile. This particular year the final record was 26-38 for -6.85 units lost. That season was all over the board, as the AL Central was 0-5, all as underdogs. The AL West was 9-8, but nicely profitable +5 units thanks to seven underdogs winning outright. The NL West was the difference-maker with 4-11 mark, losing 7.15 units.

This study moved ahead to this year’s baseball action and the results were more of what was expected. Time travelers are 16-24, -8.7 units on the season with nine weeks left in the regular season, a fairly notable figure.

In football, this is one condition that arises annually, however it is largely ignored in baseball.
A further breakdown has well-travelled road underdogs 35-66, -25.15 and visiting favorites 38-28, +6.25 units. Both numbers are about what one might expect, with the former possibly having a slightly higher loss percentage.

Our almost three-year results wind up 73-94, -18.9 units. This isn’t knowledge that will make you rich, but it can put extra cash in your pocket the next time this situation pops up for the shrewd baseball bettor.

Totals System totally contrarian in SoCal

There isn’t a person alive that participates in sports betting, be it a regular individual, wise guy, handicapper or the person on the other side of the counter taking the money that doesn’t love believing they have information that is different than most everyone else that can lead to winning sports wager.

This info is contrarian to your typical mainstream material and if you are convinced this places you in advantageous position to cash a winning ticket like few others will, you become more smug than a British Petroleum executive.

Out in Southern California, in the later stages of the afternoon, a very reliable total system will be put to the test when San Diego (59-40, +22.8 units) and Los Angeles (54-47, -2.3) play in a key NL West showdown.

The Dodgers have won five of seven with an offense that can aptly be described as offensive. In L.A.’s last seven trips to the ballpark, they have touched home plate a grand total of 12 times, that is 1.7 times per contest for those lacking a calculator. However, in their five victories the Dodgers pitching staff has four shutouts and permitted two runs in the other contest.

With Manny Ramirez on the DL for a third time, the Los Angeles front office did something to bolster the offense, trading for outfielder Scott Podsednik from Kansas City, who is batting .310 and can still run, having 30 stolen bases. L.A. needs something having one or zero runs on the scoreboard 23 times this season.

The Dodgers lost 6-1 last night to San Diego and trail the Padres by seven games in the loss column. San Diego is no fluke with August just around the corner. The Padres have the best record in the National League and also have the largest run differential in the senior circuit at +94.

Mat Latos (11-4, 2.48 ERA) looks to continue his exceptional pitching streak that has him winning six in a row (The Padres have won his last seven starts) and he has a Major League best 0.80 ERA since June 22.

His mound opponent is Vincente Padilla (4-3, 3.41), whose been nearly as good with 1.04 ERA in his last five outings, with 3-1 record.

Online sports betting outlets have this contest at Un6.5 and if ever a game looked like an Under, this would be it except for this baseball system.

Play OVER on road teams against the total, after scoring one or less runs in a loss to a division rival; with a hot starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.000 or less over his last five starts.
The logic behind this system is simple, the motivated visitor is expected to be extra focused off a loss to division opponent and in this case, the Dodgers could win the series and pick up ground on San Diego. It might be the year of the pitcher, yet historically in this spot, the road hurler has faltered and he and his team have allowed 5.8 runs per game. Over the past five years this total system is distinguished 37-13.

The average total score of these matchups has been 10.7 runs per game, which is 2.3 more runs than the typical line. No doubt these are two teams built for pitching, playing in a ballpark that yields runs sparingly. Could this be another 1-0 game, sure it could based on current form of the two starting pitchers.

Nevertheless, this system provokes a different kind of thinking and a 4-3 or 5-3 contest can certainly not be ruled out. Take some time to study this confrontation and determine if you are a contrarian thinker.

Sunday's Starting Lineup

A little late inning luck gave us a 2-1 day, raising our record to 125-67, 65.1 percent. We start with a solid MLB system that is 48-11 in a NL encounter. The Top Trend offers two awesome situations from the same contest. Good Luck

What I letting you know today – I heard the Dodgers left-handed reliever Hong-Chih Kuo is perfect 34-0 against lefty swingers this season. That right, they are betting .000 against him.

Going to go watch Tim Lincecum pitch today which should be great fun and before the game going to Alice Cooper’s restaurant to try the “Big Unit” hot dog that is 22 inches long, as seen on Man vs. Food. Of course I'm sharing with a pal.

If you wonder what is wrong with Ubaldo Jimenez, he is getting his elbow under and out ahead of his wrist, which is causing him to throw wild and high with his pitches.

The GUARANTEED Play finds one team playing into 6-34 situation, making them a 85 percent Play Against team. Come join me today and let's grab this EASY Winner.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 like the Snakes, with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.00 or better on the season, against opponent with a NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 to 1.350 on the season. Betting against Arizona today gives you 81.4 percent chance of winning. (48-11)

Free Baseball Trend -2) The N.Y. Mets are 1-10 in road games vs. a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or better and the L.A. Dodgers are 13-1 after five straight games where they had less than 10 hits.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Kendall has four straight winners and has Cincinnati to ground Houston.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

Hunting Down more Saturday Winners

Our last meeting here on Thursday saw us post a 2-0 day, taking record to spectacular 123-66. Today our 82 percent Best System and Free are from the same afternoon contest and the Top Trend follows the throwing motion of a Boston chucker. Good Luck

What I letting you know today – From Elias Sports: The Indians defeated the Rays, 3-1, in a rain-shortened game, and have now won their last 18 home games against Tampa Bay, the longest current home winning streak for any major-league team against another. The Rays' last victory in Cleveland came on Sept. 28, 2005 - a 1-0 decision in which Seth McClung outdueled Cliff Lee.

The Indians hold the modern major-league record for consecutive home wins against one team: from 1952 to 1954, Cleveland won 27 consecutive games against the Browns/Orioles franchise (which moved from St. Louis to Baltimore in 1954).

The GUARANTEED Plays are back and we have Guaranteed Parlay today backed with a NL club in an 86.9 percent situation and an AL squad in an eye-popping 92.3 percent winning spot.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play On all teams when the money line is +125 to -125 like the Dodgers, revenging a loss vs opponent as a home favorite, in a game involving two marginal winning teams (51% to 54%). Since 2006, this system is sharp 41-9, 82 percent.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Jon Lester is 21-3 against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season. (Team's Record)

Free Baseball Pick -3) Kendall has three winners in a row at 3Daily Winners and has the Dodgers to mess up the Mets.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

Betting Baseball Futures by the Numbers

The interpretation of how baseball was to be viewed differently came about with Bill James book “Baseball Abstract”. He and his fellow scribes developed an illuminating way to no longer take a batting and earned run averages at face value, rather look inside the numbers to understand what it really might mean. The term “sabermetric” became part of the language of baseball in the late 1980’s and still is widely renowned in today’s world.

This has lead to other methods of interpreting statistics, opening the door for Baseball Prospectus and Baseball-Reference.com to name a couple. This in-depth type of analysis of numbers has benefited fans and those who love to wager on baseball. For those seeking opportunity to place futures wagers on baseball, being able to see halfway thru the season eliminates some of the guess work that appeared cumbersome back in March.

Today you have a track record to follow and an inkling what might occur in the last 81 games of the baseball season. The oddsmakers do also, and a San Diego preseason wager of Over/Under 74 wins at Sportsbook.com looks safer today then it did before the season started. However, the corrective reading goggles of the halfway point of the season has the Padres as less favorable +110 choice to win the NL West compared back in March when they +600.

One element of James’ work that is as fresh today as it was when he first brought up new topics is the runs scored vs. runs allowed aspect of the game. If you score more runs than your opponent, you cannot lose. If you score a great deal more runs then the opposition, then you might have a dominate team. From the wagering standpoint, the value in this information is which teams are playing to their potential, which are playing above their potential and which are playing below. The last two elements are especially valuable, since if a team or teams continue on the same path, ultimately, they should reach their water mark and play accordingly.

Our goal in making long and short term wagers for baseball is to ensure equal representation of all teams. Since we have the time at the All-Star, we’ll look who at every Major League squad has played thru 81 games or half the schedule. This presents a balanced look at all the teams.

How this exercise works is to multiply the number of runs scored and square it, followed by doing the same with number of runs allowed. We’ll use the New York Yankees as the example.

Yankees runs scored – 436
Yankees runs allowed – 340

436 x 436 = 190096
340 x 340 = 115600

Add the two numbers together and divide the runs scored into the total to achieve a percentage.
190096 + 115600 = 305696
190096 divided by 305696 = .621

Take the number 81 (half the season) and multiply by .621, this gives you a total of 50.3. What this means is the Yankees should have a record of 50-31, based on runs scored and allowed and their actual record was exactly the same, thus right on schedule.

Any difference greater than three games means something is occurring that needs to be understood. Typically, bullpen production or lack of it is the biggest culprit in terms of wins and losses. Below is the complete list showing each team’s actual record and record based on RS/RA methodology and projected season total if they were to play exactly the same way.

American League (actual – projected- possible season record)

AL East
New York Yankees 50-31 - 50-31- 100-62
Boston 49-32 - 47-34 – 94-68
Tampa Bay 48-33 - 51-30 – 102-60
Toronto 41-40 - 44-37 – 82-80
Baltimore 25-56 – 25-56 – 50-112

AL Central
Detroit 45-36 – 41-40 – 82-80
Minnesota 44-37 - 46-35 – 92-70
Chicago WS 43-38 - 41-40 – 82-80
Kansas City 36-45 - 37-44 – 74-88
Cleveland 32-49 - 33-48 – 66-96

AL West
Texas 48-33 - 48-33 - 96-66
L.A. Angels 45-36 - 40-41 – 80-82
Oakland 40-41 - 40-41 – 80-82
Seattle 34-47 - 32-49 – 64-98

AL Observations – The biggest surprise out of the AL East is Tampa Bay projected to win its division. Though most sports books still taking action on division titles have the Rays as the third choice to win AL East, Tampa Bay brings plenty to the party. How they have managed to overachieve thus far is because they have the highest save percentage in the league and concede the lowest on-base percentage in the junior circuit (.305). Another reason Tampa Bay might be around longer than most expected is 25-10 record in games decided by four or more runs, showing their dominance.

The Detroit Tigers bullpen has saved them in the first half of the year, however their pitching as a whole might well send them plummeting in the second half of the season unless they swing a trade for another starter. The Chicago White Sox are the hottest team in baseball with an eight-game winning streak, but have to find a way to replace Jake Peavy who is gone for the year.

The Los Angeles Angels limp into the break having lost eight of last 10. Normally, if a team outperforms its RS/RA numbers, the bullpen is the reason. The overall season numbers for the Halos bullpen is meager, however during their hot June (19-10), the pen actually pitched well. Unless they pick up another bat for the lineup and the entire pitching staff improves, the Texas Rangers could well run away with this very weak division.

National League (actual – projected - possible season record)

NL East
Atlanta 48-33 - 48-33 – 96-66
N.Y. Mets 45-46 - 46-35 – 92-70
Philadelphia 43-38 - 46-35 – 92-70
Florida 38-43 - 43-38 – 86-76
Washington 35-46 -35-46 – 70-92

NL Central
Cincinnati 46-35 - 45-36 -90-72
St. Louis 44-37 - 47-34 -94-68
Milwaukee 37-44 -38-43 - 76-86
Chicago Cubs 35-46 -36-45 – 72-90
Houston 32-39 - 26-55 – 52-110
Pittsburgh 29-52 - 20-61 – 40-122

NL West
San Diego 48-33 - 47-34 – 94-68
L.A. Dodgers 45-36 - 43-38 – 86-76
Colorado 43-38 - 44-37 – 88-74
San Francisco 41-40 – 44-37 - 88-74
Arizona 32-49 – 32-49 – 64-98

NL Observations – The two-time defending NL champion Phillies have outperformed their record, thanks to their ability to rule the NL Central. Philadelphia is 17-8 and +39 in RS/RA against that division (+48 overall). With no Chase Utley likely until September, the Phillies might not have enough hitting or pitching to catch Atlanta. The Florida Marlins numbers suggest they should be better, which is why manager Fredi Gonzalez was shown the door. The Fish are tied for the most blown saves in the NL and their 11-17 record in one run games speaks volumes.

The NL Central appears to be a two team race the rest of the season and how they perform against the other four mediocre clubs should determine the Reds or Cardinals fate. If skipper Tony LaRussa can find ways to score more runs, St. Louis should win division based on numbers.

It’s interesting to note both Houston and Pittsburgh have out-performed (at least on some level) their actual RS/RA figures. Not sure what hiring former Astros star Jeff Bagwell as hitting coach is going to do for team that is 9-28 in games decided by four or more runs. Then there are the Pirates. Consider Pittsburgh has been outscored by 194 runs this season. To put that number into perspective, that is more than fellow last place teams Seattle and Arizona combined (-179 total). The Bucs are a walking play against run line team, losing by 2.2 runs per game and are 4-29 in contests determined by four runs or more.

San Diego is not a fluke, perfectly built for their vast acreage called Petco Park, with more than enough pitching to keep them competitive on the road. Will the lack of offensive production hold up, we’ll find out. Based on first half play, if one team in the NL West could improve, the San Francisco Giants should if they could squeeze more out of their batting order.

Saturday Specials

The Rockies scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to blow our system play and give us a 1-2 Friday, as we look to rebound. A number of top line pitchers are scheduled to throw today and two of them have unreal records as favorites and are listed as Top Trends. Our Best System is a winner 84.1 percent of the time and Ron thinks he has another Free Winner on tap. Good Luck

3Daily Winners is No.7 in units won in MLB at Cappers Watchdog the last week.

What I saw yesterday – Kuroda of the Dodgers had nothing last night against the D-Backs, throwing 66 pitches in less than two innings. The rest of the bullpen was not much better. I just tire of watching Matt Kemp, he just doesn’t play hard. For a guy who should be approaching the prime of his career, getting benched by your manager doesn’t show a willingness to help your team.

It was just one game, but Arizona went the other way with pitches (instead of trying to pull everything like usual) and was aggressive on the base paths. I have no idea if Kirk Gibson is a good manager, but I expect he will push the Snakes to be more assertive and sit those who are not.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play On home favorites with a money line of -175 to -250 like Detroit, averaging 0.9 or less long balls per game on the season, after a win by six runs or more. Dating back to when the movie “Good Will Hunting” was hit, this system is 53-10.

Free Baseball Trends -2) Ubaldo Jimenez and the Rockies are 14-0 as a home favorite of -150 or more over the last two seasons and Jon Lester and Boston are 17-0 as a home favorite of -200 or more in his career.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Ron of the LLC continues to shine with 28-8 MLB record and is taking the Red Sox to pulverize the O’s on the run line.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

What we learned from MLB Interleague Play

As per usual, the American League once again showed their superiority over their union partners from the National League in interleague play with a 134-118 edge. This marks the seventh straight time the junior circuit has been victorious, however for those thirsting for the 16-team league to finally win this event, this year was the closest the National League has been since this rein began in 2004. (AL won that year 126-125)

One of the humorous aspects each year is the managers that end up with a tougher draw, whine like Oksana Grigorieva (Mel Gibson’s soon to be ex) about what misfortune they have encountered.

Joe Torre was lightly complaining his team had to face the Angels six times, plus the Yankees, Red Sox and Detroit, which led to 4-11 record this year. Torre might have a slight argument, since his team faced better clubs than either San Francisco or San Diego, who are ahead of them in the standings. Nonetheless, the Dodgers always play terrible against AL, thus this isn’t news and besides, who had the Padres in first place on July 1 in the NL West this season unless they were taking on Triple-A teams.

Over the course of a 162-game slate, there is going to be ups and downs and if a team is in one situation or the other, that more than anything will affect how they play and more likely determine their outcome.

The biggest benefactor of the interleague play was the Chicago White Sox, who single-handily accounted for 75 percent of the difference in the two leagues with their 15-3 record. The White Sox did have any easier draw, having to play Florida, Pittsburgh, Washington and taking on their sinking cross-town rivals the Cubs, didn’t hurt either. However, manager Ozzie Guillen’s club also swept first place Atlanta on the south side during their 11-game win streak and is right back in contention in the AL Central race with Minnesota and Detroit.

Texas and Boston were two other teams that improved their status whipping their National League counterparts. The Rangers contingent of opponents might already be out of the pennant chase, yet you have to tip your cap for franchise best 8-1 road trip, that included stops in Milwaukee, Florida and Houston. Texas returned home and swept Pittsburgh, to make win streak 11 and they start series with Los Angeles on 16-2 roll, 4.5 games ahead of the Angels.

The Red Sox were 13-5 in their interleague adventure and faced three solid clubs from the NL West and went toe to toe six times with the two-time National League champion Phillies. Their success moved them up to second place in the AL East standings, surpassing Tampa Bay and closing in on the Yankees.

With the Dodgers swimming into the interleague black hole with teams like Washington (5-13 interleague play), Pittsburgh (2-13) and Houston (3-12), somebody from the NL had to emerge victorious.

The biggest winner was the New York Mets at 13-5. Their 6-0 record over Baltimore and Cleveland could hardly be described as taxing, yet for a team that is 9-20 on the road everywhere else, that six-pack of visiting triumphs sure came in handy. The Metropolitans again had to face the Yankees six times and manager Jerry Manuel didn’t whine once, keeping his lips closed tight also facing division contenders like the Tigers and Twins.

Of the National Leaguer’s that were 9-6, division leader San Diego was most impressive with 4-2 road mark.

One final note, it would be a complete oversight not to mention the Pirates. Pittsburgh now holds the record for baseball futility with 17 consecutive losing seasons since Barry Bonds left town in 1992 as a free agent for San Francisco. Barring an unprecedented comeback, No. 18 just needs 32 more losses in the final 86 games. Their aforementioned pitiful interleague record of 2-13, saw them outscored by 2.8 runs per game, quite an accomplishment.

Saturday Stuff

Coming into Saturday we are 86-47 in last 133 plays, 64.6 percent, pretty damn good. Today we have fabulous system that is 92.7 percent in the only National League contest. The Mariners are in Milwaukee, is that a good thing, read today’s Top Trend. Ron of the Left Coast Connection is percolating and has Yankees/Dodgers play for Free. Good Luck

What I thought yesterday – The NBA draft is boring. Nonetheless, I think DeMarcus Cousins is going to be a star and I love the Lakers taking Devin Ebanks. Detroit took Greg Monroe and he will either be a 12-year pro and a very good player or in the league for five years and out depending upon his mental makeup to get tougher.

I thought Ekpe Udoh was a reach at #6 pick by Golden State, but it’s Golden State. The Knicks blew it in my opinion with their picks and San Antonio got the perfect player for them in James Anderson.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against road underdogs with a money line of +175 to +250 like San Diego, batting .250 or worse over their last 20 games against opponent with a blazing starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.000 over his last five starts. Since 2006, 51 winners and just four losers with this system.

Free Baseball Trend -2) Seattle is 1-13 as a road underdog of +100 to +150 this season, losing by 2.5 runs per contest.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Ron of the LCC is top quality 9-3 the past few days and has the Dodgers burning New York and the Yankees.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

Step up to the dish and swing away on Thursday

With Tuesday’s plays, we stand at 85-46. Because of so many early games I couldn’t post this sooner, but we still have three solid systems to look at tonight on the diamond. The early and late Top Trends are both perfect, however we will count only the latter one for record keeping. You know who is to win the Dodgers vs. Angels battle, I think I do with Free Play. Good Luck

What I saw yesterday – I had the Yankees on the run line last night and though they won 6-5 in extra innings (I’m 4-13 past nine innings this season- OMG), I did not. Here is the stupid part. The D-Backs handed out THIRTEEN WALKS (previous MLB high this season was 11), New York had 10 hits and they still only scored six runs.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) See the MLB systems below

Free Baseball Trend -2) Didn’t get to post on time, but Tampa Bay is now 20-0 in home games after scoring four runs or less three straight games over the last three seasons. Instead for this evening, consider the Mets who are 8-0 vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs a game in 2010.

Free Baseball Pick -3) Our Free picks haven’t been up to usual standards of late, thus I’ll take a trip to the dish with the Halos to sweep the Dodgers.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

Major League Baseball Trendy Talk

It’s the final week of interleague play for this season and today four matchups in particular stand out on the baseball scorecard. We have a blend of hot pitchers, hot teams and a hot rivalry for this Tuesday.

St. Louis at Toronto 7:07 E

Call them what you will, lefties, port-siders or southpaws, whatever the name, Cardinals rookie lefty Jaime Garcia (6-3, 1.59 ERA) and the Blue Jays Brett Cecil (7-3, 3.58) have both been highly effective.

Garcia at 23 years old has overcome Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss all of 2009, yet he’s been incredibly effective, not conceding more than two earned runs in his 13 starts this season. A lack of run support has left Garcia and St. Louis (38-31, -6.4 units) at just 6-7 overall this season, totaling three or fewer runs in seven of his trips to the mound.

Cecil suffered his first loss in five weeks at San Diego, being pounded for five runs in six innings. Prior to that, the Toronto left-hander has given up six total runs in five outings. Cecil and the Jays are is 12-4 vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game.

With the total at 7.5, Garcia and the Redbirds are 10-0 UNDER in night games and merely 20-26 in June games over the last two seasons. The free-swinging Blue Jays (38-32, +10.2) are 6-10 against lefty starters this season (2.9 runs per game), but 12-3 OVER vs. a very good bullpen like Cards whose ERA is 3.33 or better this season.

San Diego at Tampa Bay 7:10 E

The Padres (40-29, +13.8) continue to be the biggest surprise in the National League, leading the NL West this far into the 2010 campaign, with exceptional pitching and timely hitting. San Diego leads the Major Leagues with 3.01 ERA and also in strikeouts (541). San Diego comes up big when it matters most, ranking 4th in ERA with runners in scoring position and 2nd overall with the same threat and there are two outs. The Friars have been at their best against quality competition with 14-4 mark playing against team with 54% to 62% win percentage this year.

Tampa Bay (42-27, +1.6) still have top notch record, but their 8-9 mark in June has dropped them out of first place in the AL East. Two reasons for this fall, the Rays starting pitchers have an ERA over 5.50 since the middle of May and players like B.J. Upton (.230 batting average) Carlos Pena (.200) are hurting their ability to score runs in the upper part of the batting order. The Rays are pedestrian 18-15 at Tropicana Field; however they are 36-12 in home games after scoring two runs or less.

Tampa Bay is smallish -132 ML home favorite largely because San Diego’s Mat Latos is 6-1 since May 7, with opposing hitters showing a sordid .197 batting average against the 6’6 right-hander.

The Pads are a pretty reliable 12-7 (+8.5 units) as a road underdog of +100 to +150 this season.
Atlanta at Chicago White Sox 8:10 E

Two of the hottest teams in the big leagues collide this evening in Chi-Town. The Chicago White Sox (34-34, -2.7 units) are back to .500 having won six straight and 10 of 11 and are within shouting distance of Minnesota in the AL Central at 5.5 games back. The biggest reason for Chicago’s turnaround is their continued dominance of the National League, with a 10-2 record this season and 34-14 since 2008.

Atlanta (42-28, +11.1) has been no slouch, with five consecutive conquests and winners of eight of last 10. The Braves have also thrived in interleague action with 7-2 mark in 2010. The Atlanta offense has been working in harmony with its pitchers. Atlanta leads the NL in scoring at 5.1 runs per game and when they score five or more runs in a contest, they are perfect 31-0. (42-0 dating back to last season)

A great pitching matchup of two terrific young hurlers, featuring Tommy Hanson (7-3, 3.27) vs. John Danks (6-5, 3.18). Hanson and the Braves are -113 ML road favorites and are 16-3 in the first half of the year since he arrived last season. Danks has not received a great deal of run support this campaign, but is 7-3 when throwing on five days rest (Sox record) and the Pale Hose are 22-8 as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since 2008.

L.A. Dodgers at L.A. Angels 10:05 E

Another chapter unfolds in the Freeway series, which moves south to Orange Country and Anaheim. The Angels (39-33, +5.1) are the hotter team having won six of nine, yet have lost ground in the AL West, with the Rangers reeling off eight wins in a row. The Halos swept the Dodgers (38-31, -0.3 units) nine days ago and are 17-4 versus NL West opponents over the last two seasons.

The Dodgers are having their typical issues with the AL, sporting 2-7 record and they are 29th in interleague play the last four years at 21-37. They will lean on Clayton Kershaw (7-3, 2.97) to end four game losing streak. The club with the blue hats is 36-17 after a loss by two runs or less (2-0 at Boston) and Kershaw and teammates are 9-0 against a team with a winning record this season.

The Angels are +112 home pooches and are 16-8 at the Big A as underdogs of +100 or higher. Ervin Santana (6-5, 3.91) and Halos are 9-1 (+10.8 units) as an underdog of +100 to +150. Manager Mike Scioscia’s club has taken 16 of previous 23 meetings; however the road team has won five straight series.

Baseball Series Wagering - Halos at Dodgers

In Southern California, it is simply known as the I-5 Freeway Series when these two teams meet annually in interleague action. The interstate is known for its sprawling expanse and both teams play has resembled this roadway. Early in the season both Los Angeles’ teams played like they were stuck in neutral playing very ordinary baseball. However recently, both are like a car that just cleared an accident area, where the road opens up and you can punch the accelerator and take out off.

The Dodgers (36-24, +5.8 units) have been the best team in baseball since May 9, posting a 23-7 record to storm back and recapture first place in the NL West. The Dodgers offense has been relatively steady most of the season and ranks fifth in the National League; however it has been its pitching that has been the difference-maker. They have held opposing teams to three runs or less in 18 of last 30 games and moved from 14th to 8th in ERA in the senior circuit, now at 3.95. Joe Torre’s club doesn’t exactly have a collection of Golden Glover’s; nevertheless they are 15-3 after two straight games where they committed zero errors this season.

The Angels (33-30, +2.3) lost key members in the offseason via free agency and were expected to contend, not control the AL West in 2010. They met the lower expectations set for them playing below .500 since the third game of the season and even their most thrilling moment of the campaign turned into calamity, when their best hitter Kendry Morales fractured his fibula jumping on home plate after smacking walk-off grand slam home run. Baseball experts on ESPN and MLB immediately wrote off the Halos, but they forgot about the manager, Mike Scioscia. Instead of folding, the Angels have persevered; winning 10 of last 13, to move into second place, 1.5 games behind Texas. They will start this series 15-3 in road games after six consecutive starts versus division rivals.

The Blue Crew will have a decided pitching edge in the opener, with Chad Billingsley (6-3, 3.80 ERA) meeting Joel Pineiro (4-6, 5.23). Billingsley is 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA in his last six starts and versus the Angels disharmonious bullpen (4.88, 1.664 WHIP), the home team is 10-1 against a horrible pen whose WHIP is 1.650 or worse over the last two seasons.

Pineiro snapped a personal three-game losing streak, but was far from impressive in permitting nine hits and four runs over six innings at Seattle in 9-4 triumph and is a disheveled 0-8 in interleague action the last two years. (Team's Record) It stands to reason for the Dodgers to be -164 money line favorite in the opener for online sports betting activists.

Game 1 Edge: Dodgers

If the term “opposites attract”, these teams are a perfect match. Like all cities that support two baseball organizations, when one team is home the other is on the road. That is the case here as the Dodgers are 8-2 on their longest homestand of the season with three games left. This in turn has the Angels away from the Big A for 14 road contests and they’ve held up well with 8-3 record thus far.

Interleague baseball seems to bring out the best and worst of each squad, as the team from Anaheim has one of the best records since 2007 with 39-18 (+17.6) mark. The team playing in Chavez Ravine is among the weakest in baseball at 21-30 (-11.75).

Scott Kazmir (5-5, 5.40) will take the ball for the Halos, having won three of his last four starts. He’s spotted his pitches better of late, but command is his worst enemy. After having a better than 2-to-1 ratio of strikes and walks for his career, he has 39 punch-outs and handed out 27 free passes this year. He’ll be relying on his club’s history that shows 19-7 interleague road record coming into the series.

John Ely (3-2, 3.00) might not throw in the high 90’s, however has displayed pitching acumen by throwing strikes and staying out of trouble. His pinpoint location has kept his team in games and the Dodgers are 6-2 when Ely starts.

Game 2 Edge: Dodgers

Jered Weaver (5-3, 3.20) seldom has two poor outings in a row and he was rocked for 12 hits and six runs his last time out in Oakland. Weaver is tied for the AL lead in K’s with 89 and is 3-2 with a 2.94 ERA in six career starts against the Dodgers. He’s been especially fond of Dodger Stadium with a 0.55 ERA in three outings and the Angels are 14-9 in day games this season.

Rookie Carlos Monasterios (3-0, 2.27) was forced into duty when Vicente Padilla went on disabled list and the Dodgers were really hurting for a fifth starter. Despite almost no experience at this level, Monasterious has thrown better than anyone could have imagined and his .215 batting average allowed is the lowest among first year pitchers with two or more starts in a season full of rookie pitchers making big introductions. The Dodgers began this series 23-10 at home.

Game 3 Edge: Angels

This should be an entertaining series with anything possible. The teams have split 12 encounters the last two seasons with the road club taking the series each time. The Dodgers are playing better baseball, have the better bullpen (Closer Jonathan Broxton has converted 15 straight save opportunities) and have been exceptional at home. If the games are tight, the team in the white uniforms is 15-6 in one run affairs, including 9-1 at home. Give the edge to the team from L.A., the one closer to Hollywood.

Series odds: Angels +140, Dodgers -180

3Daily Winners Pick: Dodgers

2010 Record – 3-6

Big League Trendy Talk

While your parents taught you gossip is unhealthy, it is a positive when breaking down baseball betting. For those that participate in sports betting, having knowledge that can give you the edge, well it’s invaluable. Review the best information anywhere on four meaningful baseball contests tonight.

Florida at Philadelphia 7:05 E

Both these NL East clubs busted out scoring slumps last night as they totaled 18 runs on 26 hits, with Philadelphia (31-26, -5.4 units) winning 10-8. Because of tonight’s pitching matchup, they could both go right back into batting slumps. Roy Halladay (8-3, 2.03 ERA) goes for the Phillies and Josh Johnson (6-2, 2.10) for Florida (28-31, -5.5).

Sportsbooks have the Phillies as -160 money line home favorites and as good as Doc Halladay is, Johnson isn’t too shabby with the Marlins 41-18 when he starts and 13-5 when he is underdog of +150 or less. With the way the Phils have been hitting lately, Halladay probably feels like he’s back in Toronto and is 5-9 (-11.8 Units) against the ML after giving up two or less earned runs in his last two outings over the last two seasons. (Team's Record)

It’s not all doom and gloom for Philadelphia as they are 29-15 vs. an NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 or better and the floundering Fish (four straight losses) are 1-11 versus a NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.50 or lower this season.

San Diego at N.Y. Mets 7:10 E

The Padres (34-24, +13.3) got a rare taste of their own medicine, falling 2-1 in extra innings to New York (31-27, +4.1). Even with last night’s defeat, San Diego is uncanny 9-3 when a total of four or less runs are scored this year. Mat Latos (5-4, 3.26) has the unfortunate luck of drawing another top line pitcher in tonight’s action. Latos has been matched against Halladay, Tim Hudson, Felix Hernandez, Josh Johnson, Yovani Gallardo and Jonathan Sanchez (three times) and has to look at Johan Santana (4-2, 2.76 ERA) this evening.

Santana has thrown 15 straight scoreless innings and has a 0.74 ERA over his last five starts and his teammates are thriving at Citi Field. The Mets are 23-9 at home and are riding their second nine-game winning streak in the Big Apple. New York is 7-0 at home after three or more consecutive wins this season and is a -150 ML favorite. Santana is his career is 104-33 as a favorite of -150 or more. (Team's Record) San Diego will attempt to counter and is 9-3 after four or more consecutive road games in 2010.

L.A. Angels at Oakland 10:05 E

Though it seldom gets much play nationally, the Angels (32-29, +2.2) and Athletics (31-29, +3.7) is one of the more heated division rivalries in baseball. The teams have split the first two of a four game series and Oakland will attempt to retake second place on the AL West behind Dallas Braden (4-5, 3.77), who hasn’t won since tossing a perfect game on Mother’s Day. Braden is 0-3 with a 4.45 ERA since May 9th; however oddsmakers still have the left-hander and the A’s as -128 favorites. Braden is 5-13 (-12.1 Units) against the ML as a home favorite of -110 or higher. (A's Record)

The Halos had their six-game winning stopped last night with 10-1 thumping and hand the ball to Joe Saunders (4-6, 4.78), who could be spokesperson for a yoyo company with his up and down performances. Saunders and the Angels are 13-4 in road tests vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs a game since 2008 and the port-sider is 10-4 vs. his rival. Even with last night’s loss, the Angels are 14-6 at McAfee Coliseum the past three seasons.

St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers 10:10 E

Manager Tony LaRussa tried to play the percentages, essentially giving away the first game of the series in Los Angeles with his pitching choices and coming back with Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright (8-3, 2.05 ERA) the next two games. His plan was foiled as Hiroki Kuroda and two relievers combined for a six-hitter in the Dodgers 1-0 shutout victory. St. Louis (33-26, -5) hasn’t been great this year, however they have avoided long losing streaks, but our in danger of losing four in a row for the first time since June 5-9, 2009.

Having Wainwright to pitch will be a big plus, as he is 3-1 with a 1.20 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 30 innings over his last four overall outings and has a 1.23 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers (35-24, +4.8). With the Cardinals a -105 betting option, they and Wainwright are 14-3 when the money line is +125 to -125 over the last two seasons.

The Blue Crew is in the midst of its longest homestand of the year (13 games) and have won seven of first nine and they own the finest record in the big leagues since May 9 at 22-7. Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 3.06) toes the rubber for L.A., with his club 37-15 at Dodger Stadium with a money line of -100 to -150 since last year.

Technorati Tags:
sports betting, baseball, sports betting online, sports tips

June 8 Wagering Options

A good quick rebound of 2-1 takes 3DW to 72-37, 65.4 percent. We offer an 80 percent system in the Clearwater dome in Florida. In the great state of Texas, matching trends pop up with a certain pitcher of the Rangers. Finally, Sal is 12-3 in last 15 MLB plays and likes a Midwestern team on the Left Coast. Good Luck

What I thought today – Looking forward to watching Steve Strasburg pitch. Did you know the Nationals have never been above a -155 favorite since moving to D.C.?

For old time Cubs fans, Carlos Silva is 8-0 on the North Side, which is the best start for Chicago pitcher since Ken Holtzman in 1967.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Baseball System -1) Play Against all underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 like the Blue Jays, who bat .260 or less, against a good AL starting pitcher (ERA of 3.50 or less), hitting .200 or worse over their last three games. Looking back 13 years we find a 52-13 record.
Free Baseball Trend -2) Colby (Cheese) Lewis of Texas is 12-1 in home games vs. AL teams scoring 4.7 or less runs game (Rangers record) and these same contests are also 12-1 OVER.

Free Baseball Pick -3) These plays have been little faulty the last few days and Sal has St. Louis with Chris Carpenter to down the Dodgers.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

Baseball Systems that round the bases

On this Tuesday in baseball, believe it or not there are other baseball games as or possibly even more important than Pittsburgh at Washington. While you can still buy a ticket to Roy Halladay’s perfect game in Florida (at full price no less, go Marlins), there are four baseball systems (plus a bonus play) in place tonight for the online sports betting fan which could add to cash to wagering account.

Florida at Philadelphia 7:05E

Another lesser known rookie will be making his debut, as power hitter Mike Stanton will be in the Marlins batting order. The 20-year-old outfielder has been tearing it up Double-A Jacksonville (hitting .311 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 52 games) and his first big league at bat will be against Kyle Kendrick (3-2, 4.62 ERA) who has found a groove and is 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in his last six outings.

Philadelphia (30-26, -6.4 units) still isn’t hitting the baseball, averaging two runs per contest in last 13 outings, however their fielding has been impeccable, with no errors in last five games. The Phillies are -138 money line choice and favorites with a ML of -125 to -175, after three straight games where they committed no errors, starting a pitcher whose given up one or less earned runs in his last two outings are 65-19 since 2006. (Note: The San Francisco Giants and Matt Cain also fit this system)

Toronto at Tampa Bay 7:10E

The Rays are seventh in the American League in home runs, but still manufacture runs well enough to be third in baseball at 5.2 per game. Tampa Bay (37-20, +6.5) won on Sunday 9-5 in Texas to salvage a .500 road trip and send Jeff Niemann (5-0, 2.79) up against Toronto’s (33-25, +12) power laden lineup.

The Blue Jays lead the Major’s in home runs yet only bat .245 as a team and Niemann and the Rays are 8-0 vs. an AL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse this season. Tampa Bay is a -195 ML pick and home favorites with a ML of -175 to -250, averaging 0.9 or less dingers a game on the season, after a win by four runs or more, are 27-4 the previous three years.

Kansas City at Minnesota 8:10E

Zack Grienke (1-7, 3.60) might be feeling the pressure of late with the lack of run support and trying to be too perfect. Last year’s Cy Young award winner has a 7.04 ERA in last three starts, allowing 24 hits in 15 1/3 innings. He’s received the lowest run support in the American League at 2.64 per start.

“The last month I haven’t really been myself, I guess,” said Greinke. “Everything looks tougher, like the hitters look better and the strike zone looks smaller. It just seems tougher out there at the moment.”

The Kansas City hurler will take on a Minnesota team (33-24, +3.2) scrambling for bodies with a number of injuries and not hitting the ball. With oddsmakers setting the total Un8, the play is UNDER when a ice cold hitting team is batting .200 or worse over their last five games, against opponent with a frigid starting pitcher, whose ERA is 7.00 or higher over his last three starts. In the last 13 years this system is 67-28 below the number.

St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers 10:10E

The Cardinals offense could be a Dateline mystery on NBC, ranking a pedestrian 14th overall at 4.6 runs per game. Manager Tony LaRussa gave the appearance at least that last night’s game was not particularly important using two pitchers Blake Hawksworth and P.J. Walters, in a 12-4 loss to Los Angeles (34-24, +3.6).

Evidently, LaRussa is focusing on the last two games of the series and has Chris Carpenter (7-1, 2.76) on one extra day rest taking on Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda (5-4, 3.63). Carpenter is 9-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his last 14 regular-season road starts; however has 5.21 ERA when pitching with five or more days rest.

Does it make it a wise to bet to back the underdog Dodgers at +115, since National League clubs scoring 4.3 to 4.8 runs a contest vs. a NL starter with an ERA of 3.70 or less, after allowing 10 runs or more, are 19-49?

Time for baseball trendy talk

Because the sport of baseball is played on daily basis all teams have streaks, some are good and others are not. For this Hump Day, we’ll focus on four teams that couldn’t knockout their own shadow, let alone defeat the team in the other dugout the way they are playing. Is today the day these derided derelicts of the diamond stand up and fight over adversity, probably not.

Arizona at L.A. Dodgers 3:10 E

Anytime you are 0 for anything, chances are life isn’t going so well. The Arizona Diamondbacks (20-33, -12.9 units) left the unfriendly borders of home on May 24 and haven’t won a game since, losing the first eight encounters of the road trip and a total of nine overall. The D-Backs offense tends to run like a microwave, or or off, unfortunately manager A.J. Hench just can’t press a button for start. The Snakes have averaged 2.1 runs per game in this stretch which places them in tough spots and they have lost last three contests in opponents final at bat.

Arizona is 3-12 after three or more consecutive losses this season and 8-22 with an on-base percentage of .285 or worse over their last five games and today’s get-away game in Los Angeles (30-22, +2.2) has added meaning for D-Backs players. Arizona is a +134 underdog at most sportsbooks against the Dodgers, who have taken the first two games of the series and are 13-32 in road tilts with double revenge. It will be Edwin Jackson (3-6, 6.03 ERA) for the Snakes against rookie Carlos Monasterios (2-0, 2.20) and L.A. is only 15-1 off three straight wins vs. division rivals over the last two seasons.

Chic. Cubs at Pittsburgh 7:05 E

In Chicago there has been a lot of talk about how lifeless the Cubs (24-29, -13 units) have played all season. This is a stunning development to Cubs fans who figured that Lou Piniella would throwing players out of the clubhouse and turning over tables and chewing on umpires’ ears on a daily basis with his team’s nonchalant attitude on the field. Instead, Piniella has acted like an older employee taken over by new ownership and just wants to keep quiet until his full pension kicks in.

It doesn’t help the middle of the Cubs lineup resembles the recent Guatemalan sinkhole, with Derek Lee batting .232 and Aramis Ramirez (.167) needs a three week hitting streak just to climb to Mendoza Line.

Forget all that and somebody explain why the Cubs 1-7 against Pittsburgh (22-31, +4.0) in 2010 and have lost 10 of 11 to the Pirates. With Pittsburgh a National League worst -128 in run differential, it would seem logical the Bucs are going to win a few one run games and get clobbered the rest of the time, however for the Cubs, it seems the worse a team is, the more awful they play. Chicago has these dubious angles riding, they are 2-11 vs. NL teams scoring 3.8 or less runs a game on the season and 2-8 in road contests if teams in their own league allows 5.3 or more runs per outing.

The Cubs turn to Carlos Zambrano of all people for the start and they are -135 favorites and oh by the way, are 1-7 revenging a loss vs. opponent as a road favorite this season. One other note, Pittsburgh is 10-2 at home after a one run victory.

Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees 7:05 E

It cannot be very fun to go to work every day as a Baltimore Orioles player. Your teams stinks with 15-37 record (-17.4) and the division you play in has four of the five teams with the best record in the American League as June starts moving forward.

Baltimore actually held the New York Yankees (32-20, +2.8) to three runs last night, but tallied just one themselves. The O’s are 3-19 after scoring two runs or less this year and alarming 1-17 in road games after scoring one or fewer runs in a loss to an AL East rival since 2008. Even when the Birds get a good pitched game, they are 6-27 as visitors after scoring and allowing three runs or less.

Its little wonder why Baltimore is a +260 underdog in the Bronx having to face Phil Hughes (6-1, 2.70), whose been New York’s best and most consistent pitcher this season. The Yankees are scoring 6.6 runs per game in the pinstripes and are 16-1 in home conflicts after allowing one run or less.

Cleveland at Detroit 7:05 E

The Tigers (26-25, +0.4) have lost eight of 10 with a balky offense not firing regularly. In Detroit’s previous defeats, they have scored 2.3 runs per game, compared to 4.4 in the season. Manager Jim Leyland has considered having the public address system at Comerica Park play Motley Crue’s “Kick start my heart” every time his team comes to bat (this might be a Twitter rumor) since all aspects of the pitching have been solid and fielding on good ground, yet they are only 12-19 after four straight games where they committed no errors.

Detroit managed only two runs against Jake Westbrook and Cleveland in 3-2 loss on Tuesday and gives the ball to Armando Galarraga (1-1, 4.50), who makes his third start of the season and first since May 22.

Though it’s nice to see Galarraga has worked hard to return to the big leagues after beginning the season in the minors, he still has a poor track record with 4-14 record in night games since last year. (Tigers Record) With Cleveland in the throes of a terrible season at 19-31, Detroit at -142 money line wager at online sports betting outlets sounds like a descent wager, yet they are 8-15 vs. teams outscored by one or more runs a contest on the season.

Will the Tigers be able to overcome 4-12 record with Galarraga as starting pitcher against losing team and instead move to 13-1 at Comerica off a loss to a division rival as a home favorite? Stay tuned.

Technorati Tags:
sports betting, baseball, sports betting online, sports tips

MLB Series Wagering - Dodgers at Rockies

With the Memorial Day holiday weekend about to go into full swing, the race in the National League West starts to heat up also. The unofficial beginning of summer marks when television and radio announcers can no longer say “it’s still early”, with a third of the season soon to be completed. The Dodgers and Rockies meet for a second time in 2010, this time in Colorado.

Both clubs are chasing confounding San Diego, with Los Angeles (26-21, -1.2 units) two games back in the standings and Colorado (25-22, +0.7) three behind.

The Rockies have been ravaged by injuries to their pitching staff, but have started to overcome them riding a five-game winning streak. The Colorado offense has started to hit its stride in winning six of seven, scoring 5.4 runs per game and moving up to sixth overall in the National League. In their last four games the Rocks have launched 11 home runs.

The Dodgers offense has been feast or famine this season. Los Angeles is fourth in the NL at 4.9 RPG, but they were shut out twice at Wrigley Field this week, giving them seven zeros already, after being held scoreless just nine times in 2009.

As per usual Colorado is enjoying the benefits of Coors Field and are 14-7 (+4.8) at home and will start Jeff Francis (1-0, 0.68 ERA), who missed all of 2009 with shoulder surgery. In his two starts this year, Francis looks very much like the pitcher that won 17 games and led Rockies to World Series. Sportsbooks have Francis and teammates as -152 money line favorites and they are 18-3 as a home chalk of -150 to -175 over the last two seasons.

The Dodgers are still looking for another starting pitcher and give the ball to Carlos Monasterios (1-0, 1.90) for a second time. Monasterios has 10 other relief appearances but is excited about another opportunity. “I like starting,” said the rookie right-hander. With the total at 9.5, Monasterios will attempt to do his part and improve L.A.’s 40-20 record when the total is 9 to 9.5.

Game 1 Edge: Colorado

Colorado is feeling really good about their recent play coming into the series. “We’re definitely playing better,” said Troy Tulowitzki, who’s homered four times in five games. “We’re playing defense, pitching a little better and getting some timely hitting, mixed in with some power.”
Since last season the Rockies are 41-16 at home after three or more consecutive Coors contests and will have Aaron Cook (1-3. 5.40) on the hill. Cook’s strength as a pitcher is nibbling on the corners and keeping his heavy fastball low in the strike zone. To date he has lacked his usual efficiency and has as many walks as strikeouts (25). He’s going to need more control to extend his team’s 5-0 record when he starts at home.

The Dodgers have certainly held the upper hand against Colorado recently. Los Angeles is 17-5 against the Rocks since the beginning of last year and has won eight consecutive series dating back to Sept. 2008. Joe Torre’s club has also emerged victorious nine of previous 12 at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Hiroki Kuroda (5-2, 3.03) has been most effective this season, pitching at least into the sixth inning in all his starts and allowing more than three runs just once. Manager Torre moved Kuroda back a day in the rotation and he and his blue-capped team are 11-3 when he pitches with five days of rest.

Game 2 Edge: L.A. Dodgers

The series finale is a solid pitching matchup featuring lefty Clayton Kershaw (4-3, 2.90) against Jhoulys Chacin (3-2, 3.09). Kershaw has been living up to all the potential heaped on him the last few years and has 0.64 ERA in his last four starts with 27 K’s in 28 1/3 innings. Coors Field hasn’t been his favorite place to pitch with 2-2 record and 6.92 ERA. The Dodgers are 7-8 in day games and Kershaw has to command the strike zone with his 91-95 mph fastball to set up his “Uncle Charley” curve.

Like Kershaw, Chacin is also 22 years old and has a five pitch arsenal that can baffle hitters. He’s harnessed his control (13 W, 30 K) and only permitted 22 hits over 32 innings with opposing batters nicking him for .188 batting average. He'll be facing the Dodgers for the second time, having pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings against Los Angeles on May 8. Colorado is much better in day games with 12-7 record and with these two young starters, the Rockies might add another UNDER to 13-5-1 mark in day baseball.

Game 3 Edge: L.A. Dodgers

Haven’t been very good in picking series winners thus far and instead will follow a little football logic of never better against a strong trend. The Dodgers have owned Colorado the last few seasons and not have to face Ubaldo Jimenez has me leaning with Torre’s troops.

Series odds: Los Angeles +115, Colorado -145

3Daily Winners Pick: L.A. Dodgers

2010 Record – 2-5

No Monday plays but great info

No great systems, trends or otherwise today, so we’ll let today go.

What I found today – Will this be the year the National League finally ends the American League’s six year reign of terror? Though just 42 of the 252 official interleague games have been played in 2010, the numbers are evenly divided at 21-21.

Some of the usual suspects performed up to their high standards (see article below), as Boston and Minnesota both won series over the National League. However, even traditionally dreadful clubs like San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers came thru and won two of three.

Get out the cell phone to take a picture of this.

Tampa Bay is the first team to get 20 games over .500 and they are the best bet in baseball at +13.3 units, think about that being possible after the 2007 season.

Next is two very unlikely candidates, San Diego (+10.1) and Washington (+10.1).

The Padres are still in first place in the NL West despite a batting order that does not raise the blood pressure of opposing pitchers, but they have pitching staff that leads the National League in ERA at 2.98. While some will say this is a by-product of playing at cavernous Petco Park, San Diego is 14-9 on the road and their ERA is third in the big leagues at 3.8.

Washington being over .500 at 23-22 at this stage of the season is remarkable for them. The reason the Nationals have been successful to this point is improved defense and pitching. Instead of ranking in the lower 25 percent of virtually every category, they are now average, which has them as more competitive club.

At the beginning of the year Seattle was considered a serious threat to knock the L.A. Angels off the throne as AL West champs. The question was why?

Last year Seattle was 85-77 after a hideous 61-101 2008 campaign. Because they lacked offensive firepower, the Mariners front office built the team around pitching and defensive in particular. The move paid off with surprising season.

In the offseason, Seattle added Chone Figgins trying to get another player on base for the middle of the lineup and thought Milton Bradley would find the Puget Sound a more calming area than Chicago. Seattle was 28th last season in runs scored and without changing the main part of the heart of the order, the M’s remain 28th in scoring at 3.5 runs per game, lacking any offensive punch.

With every team placing a greater emphasis on defense, the Mariners edge is negated and Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee can’t pitch shutouts on every start, which helps explain why Seattle is 16-28, -13.9 units.

Sharp sports bettors knew this before the season started. The 2009 Mariners were the 13th team since 1900 to post a winning record after losing 100 or more games. The very next year these teams have a .487 win percentage or roughly 79 wins. (From Bill James 2010 Gold Mine)

What does the home court mean in the NBA Playoffs?

Favored teams thus far in the postseason are 36-13, 31-17-1 ATS when playing in their own building.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

Interleague Baseball is Back

Can you hear the whining already, “I hate interleague play” or “Why do they play these games, nobody cares except for a few series anyways”. Of course most people complaining are either baseball purists who want every starting pitcher to throw nine innings and games to last just over two hours “just like the old days” or online sport betting fanatics who for some reason believe the game is somehow completely different.

Here’s a newsflash, you still have to outscore the other team and you have 27 outs to do so. And if you want to win your wagers, bet the American League until further notice.

The first regular season interleague game was in Texas in June 12, 1997 when San Francisco played the Rangers. The Giants defeated Texas 4-3 (with Darren Oliver the Rangers starting pitcher and he’s back with them this season as reliever) and it’s been all downhill for the National League.

In the previous 13 seasons, the AL has won the season series nine times compared to four for the NL and those from the junior circuit have won the last six in a row, proving their dominance.

The National League actually narrowed the gap last season with 114-138 record, which was better than 2008 when they were 103-149. Where everyone started to take notice of the disparity between the two leagues was 2006. After the AL had won the two previous years 262-241, they hammered the NL 154-98.

National League apologists will blame the designated hitter, more favorable matchups for their counterparts or the weather, but the fact remains over the last six years they are 671-840, .440 win percentage. The answer why for this Grand Canyon-like difference, better organizations in the American League. The top teams have advanced scouting techniques, draft players that fit particular organizations and continually seek improvement.

To see the complete article with detailed charts - click here.

3DW Baseball Betting Beat

The Houston Astros are not the worst team in baseball or the poorest wager, however do not worry, they have time to still get there. Houston is 14-26, -7.6 units, both good (and bad enough) to rank in the bottom six of Major League baseball.

The Astros could likely be the best play against team at the moment, but somehow they swept the Cardinals near The Arch in St. Louis starting back on May 11 and picked up +6.35 units.

Why is Houston so bad? This is a franchise full of neglect with owner Drayton McLane calling the shots. McLane would not have his millions if he ran his other businesses in the same manner as his baseball franchise.

McLane has always liked to overpay for his own stars, with B to C level talent he thought would help fill seats and maybe help his team win. Free agents like Carlos Lee, Jeff Kent, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens (he of the part-time duty in his days in southeast Texas) all received big contracts, but never produced the type of numbers over the expanse of their deals.

Lance Berkman might be 34, but his deterioration has been in full view for a couple of years for those betting baseball.

The numbers tell the story about the ‘Stros. In the National League they are last in runs scored (3.0), batting average (.231), doubles (53), home runs (21), total bases (436) and on-base percentage (.277).

To understand their ineptitude, compare those numbers to league averages, please understand not the best, just what the average NL team profile looks like. (Thru May 19)

Runs scored (4.5)
Batting average (.257)
Doubles (77)
Home runs (37)
Total bases (552)
On-base percentage (.330)

These are mind-boggling numbers for sports betting aficionados. At the aforementioned date with these number compiled, Houston did not have above average player at ONE field position (excluding pitcher) when it came to adding up these shown figures in the senior circuit, not one.

The Astros play the old-school way like a Kirby Puckett, who went to the dish hacking. One problem they don’t have a player of his talent on the roster and rank 15th in pitches taken and dead last in walks with 77. (The Giants are 15th at 121 base on balls by comparison, a 36.4 percent differential)

About the only thing Houston batters don’t do a lot of is strikeout (lowest in the NL), but they have so little patience at the plate, they don’t give opposing pitchers a chance to send them back to the bench and instead flail away at whatever is pitched.

With the poorest farm system in the big leagues according to Baseball America, one top notch pitcher in Roy Oswalt and two average to slightly above hurlers in Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers, prospects are not good this season will improve. Take away a 9-6 record at present against NL Central partners and the 2010 Astros are 5-20 (-15.5) against the record of the league.

The best way to sum up Houston is compare them to baseball’s best team, Tampa Bay, in one category. The Rays are 16-3 in games determined by four or more runs and the Astros are 3-13. You would think Rachel Phelps was running the team. (The Cleveland Indians owner in the movie - Major League)

I wouldn’t read too much into the Pittsburgh Pirates hovering just below .500 thus far in 2010. The Bucs have been good underdog wager at 17-21, +7.8 units; however their run differential is -100. That number is higher than last place teams Kansas City and Baltimore combined (-96) and even if Pittsburgh was like a bank and could write off it’s bad debt, they would still be the worst in baseball tossing away 20-0 meltdown to Milwaukee.

I just love the so-called experts who have fallen in love with saying starting pitching doesn’t mean what it used to. They site pitch counts, the lack of complete games and greater dependence on bullpens.

While those points are mildly valid, their reference point is like that of politician selectively choosing quasi-numbers and facts to make a point.

The Los Angeles Dodgers started the year with one of the best offenses in the National League, yet on the morning of May 9 were 13-17 and being written off for their lack of pitching.

Joe Torre’s starting pitchers finally found a groove and in harmony with those in the bullpen, put together a streak in which they conceded 2.0 runs per game and the Dodgers won nine in a row, while a bit over average in runs scored at 5.5 compared to 5.2 for the season.

What changed was the starters began throwing strikes, which led to more innings of success with lower pitch counts. This helped setup the pen with pitchers in their normal roles of coming in the game in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings, which is their comfort zone and once success was achieved, the confidence swelled among the entire staff.

The days of complete games and high pitch counts are gone; nevertheless if the starting pitcher can take a tie game or lead into the final three innings, most baseball bettors are positioned to earn a victory.