Baseball Handicapping Articles

MLB Playoffs Betting: Cardinals at Giants Game 3 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 10/13/2014

Thank goodness for the National League, because the American League playoffs have been rather void of drama. Oh, sure, the wild-card game was spectacular, but both ALDS ended in a sweep, and it's possible that the ALCS could end in a Royals four-game sweep as early as Tuesday if they win Game 3 at home Monday night (it it's played as rain is forecast). The NLCS between the Giants and Cardinals is guaranteed to go at least five games as it heads to California for Game 3 on Tuesday afternoon tied at 1-1.

MLB Playoffs Betting: Giants at Cardinals Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 10/10/2014

Is the National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals a surprise? No question, but definitely not on the level or the Royals-Orioles ALCS. The Giants and Cardinals have been two of the most successful teams in baseball this decade. It's an even-numbered year, and that's when San Francisco wins World Series.

MLB Playoffs Betting: Royals at Orioles Game 1 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 10/9/2014

If you had the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals playing in the American League Championship Series back in Spring Training, you should be doing this job and not me. Shoot, I couldn't have predicted this even a week or so ago. What a stunner. While the TBS network probably isn't thrilled with the size of these two markets -- Angels-Tigers would have been much preferred -- it's good for baseball and proves money can't buy everything.

MLB Playoffs Betting: Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 10/2/2014

The National League wild-card game lacked any drama as San Francisco's Madison Bumgarner dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. The Washington Nationals probably aren't unhappy they won't have to face the stellar lefty in Game 1 of the NLDS. Meanwhile, the opener of the Cardinals-Dodgers Division Series has about the best pitching matchup you could ask for. Here is a glance at each NL opener on Friday. Odds from BetOnline.

Tracking the Nationals: Season-Long MLB Picks and Handicapping for Washington Baseball
by Dave Schwab - 10/2/2014

I spent the MLB regular season handicapping the Washington Nationals as part of a betting strategy that relies on specialization. The better you know a team, the better you should be able to predict future results. To put this theory to the ultimate test I also released weekly picks utilizing Doc’s Sports Unit Betting System. My goal was to earn a positive return on investment with these free picks, and I ended the regular season with a modest $486 profit.

MLB Playoffs Betting: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 10/1/2014

It's our first day with two postseason games as the American League steals the spotlight Thursday with Game 1 of the ALDS between Detroit and Baltimore at Camden Yards and the wild-card winning Kansas City Royals at the top-seeded Los Angeles Angels. The Tigers are the only team in the LDS, including National League, that is a series favorite yet a higher seed -- so without having home-field advantage in the best-of-five.

MLB Betting: NL Wild-Card Game Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/29/2014

I have to hand it to the Pittsburgh Pirates. I didn't believe they would return to the postseason this year, especially when reigning National League MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen was lost for a few weeks in August. But here they are back in the wild-card game. That the Giants are in the postseason isn't a shock. Why? Because it's an even-numbered year. San Francisco won the World Series in the past two even-numbered seasons.

MLB Betting: AL Wild-Card Game Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/29/2014

How is this for a prop idea (you listening sportsbooks?): California teams vs. the field to win the World Series. Four of the five teams from the state -- sorry Padres -- are in baseball's postseason. Alas, not all four will make it to the LCS because the Angels will host the wild-card winner between Oakland and Kansas City. This is the first time in the wild-card era that both the Yankees and Red Sox didn't make the playoffs.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Saturday September 27, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/26/2014

I think it's fair to say we know which 10 teams will be competing for the World Series. The National League has been set: the Nationals and Dodgers are division winners. The Cardinals or Pirates will win the NL Central, and the loser will be a wild card. The Giants are the other wild card. Thus, those latter three still have something to play for Saturday.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Friday September 26, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/25/2014

The final weekend of the 2014 regular season is upon us, and the key thing when betting the last three games of the season is recognizing which teams still have something to play for and which don't. Obviously all those clubs eliminated from the postseason don't other than the ones perhaps on the bubble of the 10 worst records. But keep an eye on which teams get locked into their playoff spots each day because then it's usually operation shutdown to get guys rest for the postseason.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Thursday September 25, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/24/2014

So Thursday is the big night: The last game for the Captain, Derek Jeter, at Yankee Stadium. It's certainly the toughest ticket in baseball this year, maybe all of sports other than the Super Bowl and World Cup final. I'm not a huge Jeter guy, but he has been incredibly clutch and a great role model. No scandals for him. Plus, how can you not admire a guy who gives gift bags to his, um, lady friends after they leave his place? Most would agree he is one of the five best Yankees in history along with Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday September 24, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/23/2014

Barring coming back on short rest Sunday, which is unlikely, all the starting pitchers going on Wednesday will be throwing their final game of the 2014 regular season (I suppose there could be a Game No. 163 for a playoff spot, which technically would count as a regular-season game). There are some interesting statistical things to monitor with a handful of them. Here's a look at five interesting matchups on the schedule. Bovada will offer six live betting games overall.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Tuesday September 23, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/22/2014

Could we actually not have a 40-homer guy in the majors this season (ahem, because cracking down on steroids and other drugs)? It's possible. Nelson Cruz is likely the only guy with a chance as he's sitting on 39. Houston's Chris Carter is two behind him, so he would need a big week to win the home-run crown. Miami's Giancarlo Stanton also has 37 and will win the NL crown, but he's done for the season.

Tracking the Nationals: Season-Long MLB Picks and Handicapping for Washington Baseball
by Dave Schwab - 9/22/2014

All season long I have been handicapping the Washington Nationals as part of a betting strategy of specialization. The better you know a team, the better you should be able to predict future results. I have put this theory to the test with weekly picks utilizing Doc’s Sports Unit Betting System, and my ultimate goal is to earn a positive return on investment with these free picks.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Saturday September 20, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/19/2014

I don't know what to say about the Oakland A's at this point. They were just swept three games by the Texas Rangers, the worst team in baseball. Entering Friday, the A's are 11-25 since Aug. 10 when they led the AL West by four. Blame the offense. Everyone lauded Billy Beane's trade for Jon Lester, but he only helps once every fifth day.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Friday September 19, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/18/2014

I hear some people say that baseball's regular season should end in late August so it doesn't interfere with football season. I respectfully disagree. Look at a day like Friday where you have five live baseball betting options at Bovada: Dodgers at Cubs, Blue Jays at Yankees, Red Sox at Orioles, Rangers at Angels and Giants at Padres. I'm guessing all those games will be more exciting than the college football matchup between UConn and South Florida. Just saying.

Tracking the Nationals: Season-Long MLB Picks and Handicapping for Washington Baseball
by Dave Schwab - 9/18/2014

All season long I have been handicapping the Washington Nationals as part of a betting strategy of specialization. The better you know a team, the better you should be able to predict future results. I have put this theory to the test with weekly picks utilizing Doc’s Sports Unit Betting System, and my ultimate goal is to earn a positive return on investment with these free picks.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Thursday September 18, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/17/2014

I am interested to see how the Los Angeles Angels play things out over the final nine games or so of the regular season. Do they keep pushing to ensure that top overall seed in baseball -- remember, the AL hosts the World Series -- or do they prefer to rest guys and not care all that much were Baltimore to catch them for that No. 1 seed? It's an interesting choice for Mike Scioscia. I'm a believer that if you are playing well you keep going, but at the same time make sure your rotation is set up for that first playoff series.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday September 17, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/16/2014

The Los Angeles Angels clinched their first playoff berth since 2009 on Monday night, baseball's first team to officially make the postseason. L.A. also appears a lock to win at least 100 games, which no team has done since 2001. However, not all the news was potentially good for the Halos. Here's a look at their game Wednesday, in which they could clinch the AL West, and four other interesting matchups.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Tuesday September 16, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 9/15/2014

It's that time of year where we have to start looking at magic numbers, and as many as three teams could clinch playoff berths this week with the Angels on the verge of clinching the AL West, the Orioles the same in the AL East and the Nationals in the NL East. How interesting would an Orioles-Nationals World Series be considering those two are still battling it out in court over a dispute about rights fees from the MASN TV network.