Baseball Handicapping Articles

Tracking the Nationals: Season-Long MLB Picks and Handicapping for Washington Baseball
by Dave Schwab - 8/4/2014

Taking the time to focus your handicapping energy on just one team can pay some huge dividends if you buy into the theory that the more you know about that particular team, the better you will be able to predict the results of its games. Doc’s Sports has put this specialization theory to the test this season by having me focus my efforts on picking games for the Washington Nationals.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Saturday August 2, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 8/1/2014

Many of the guys traded by Thursday's deadline should be making their debuts by Saturday as you have to factor in travel time and physicals and all that. Two of the biggest pitchers to be dealt will be on the mound as Jon Lester makes his first career start in the green and gold of the A's, while Justin Masterson does the same in the red and white of the Cardinals. Here's a look at those two games and three other interesting matchups.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Friday August 1, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/31/2014

I understand why Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane got Jon Lester from the Boston Red Sox on Thursday as he obviously believes pitching wins championships. The small-market A's aren't going to have many chances at winning a World Series, so Beane is totally going all-in after dealing Yoenis Cespedes to Boston and earlier his top two prospects to the Cubs for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel.

MLB Handicapping: Betting on the Tampa Bay Rays
by Trevor Whenham - 7/31/2014

So, the Tampa Bay Rays finally did it. They traded David Price. It had been rumored for a long, long time, but as the trade deadline neared it seemed at least conceivable that they would hold on to him to see if they could stay on the run they have been on lately after their disastrous start. Ultimately, though, they couldn’t resist the possibility to get some assets back for Price instead of losing him as a free agent.

Tracking the Nationals: Season-Long MLB Picks and Handicapping for Washington Baseball
by Dave Schwab - 7/30/2014

Specialization on a single team when it comes to wagering on MLB games can be a viable betting strategy. It stands to reason that the more you know about a particular team the better you will be able to predict the results of its games. Doc’s Sports has put this theory to the test this season by having me focus my handicapping efforts on just the Washington Nationals. Doc’s has been releasing my free picks for the team on a weekly basis with the use of their Unit Betting System, with the ultimate goal of earning a respectable profit over the course of the year.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Thursday July 31, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/30/2014

Thursday is one of the most interesting baseball days of the year and one to keep the MLB Network going all day long on your television or mobile device. The trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET, so if you see a big name or two pulled early from an afternoon game, that means a trade is likely coming. For example, Boston scratched ace Jon Lester from Wednesday's start in anticipation of a deal. Here's a look at five interesting matchups Thursday.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/29/2014

It might be time to fade the Cincinnati Reds. Entering Tuesday they have lost nine of 10 since the break, scoring just 17 runs in that stretch, the fewest in the majors. With both Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips still out at least a few more weeks, I don't see things getting much better anytime soon barring a trade. Here's a look at Wednesday's Reds matchup and four other interesting games.

Tracking the Nationals: Season-Long MLB Picks and Handicapping for Washington Baseball
by Dave Schwab - 7/28/2014

The betting theory that the more you know about a particular team the better you will be able to predict the results of its games has been put to the test all season long as part of an ongoing series for Doc’s Sports. I have been focusing my handicapping efforts on the Washington Nationals, and Doc’s has been releasing my free picks for the team on a weekly basis with the use of their Unit Betting System. The goal of this specialization is to earn a long-term profit over the course of the year.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/28/2014

I don't know about you, but this is my favorite non-playoff week of baseball season. The trade rumors are flying about all over the place (David Price now off the market, but Jon Lester on it?) with the deadline Thursday at 4 p.m. Eastern. It's fair to say the MLB futures for some contenders will shift pretty dramatically between now and then. Here's a look at five interesting matchups on Tuesday.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Saturday July 26, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/25/2014

The 2014 San Diego Padres are one of the least interesting teams in baseball this decade. They are great to bet against and on the "under" because the Padres have what could be a historically bad offense and already have traded two of their best players in third baseman Chase Headley and closer Huston Street. That said, it's worth watching the Padres, and maybe even backing them occasionally, when Cuban Odrisamer Despaigne is on the mound. Here's a look at his matchup on Saturday and four other games.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Friday July 25, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/24/2014

Even in those years where it's fairly quiet at the trade deadline, which this one might be with so many teams thinking they are still in the playoff hunt, you always see relievers dealt. They are essentially a dime a dozen and generally on fairly team-friendly contracts. Every team needs bullpen help. With that said, the first domino in that market might have fallen Wednesday night when the plummeting Rangers sent closer Joakim Soria to Detroit. Who closes for Texas now? Here's the answer to that and four other interesting matchups on Friday.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Thursday July 24, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/23/2014

With four matinee games on Thursday, it's another one of those days where you will want to monitor which starters might get the day off following a night game before dropping down some money on the early starts. For example, the Red Sox and Blue Jays will play their series finale about 12 hours after Wednesday night's finish.

MLB Totals Betting Trends Report
by Aaron Smith - 7/23/2014

The all-star break is in the rear view mirror, and now it is time for the true contenders to step up. Most of the divisions are still totally up for grabs, and there are plenty of teams that have a real opportunity if they heat up at the right time. With the extra wild card in place now, there are even more teams that have a realistic shot at the postseason. A little more than two months is left in the regular season. The boys of summer are front and center in the sports world right now.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/22/2014

There are six matinee series finales on Wednesday, meaning some starters in those games are likely going to take a seat playing a day game after a night game and then having to travel afterward. The Mets are a good candidate to rest a few guys because after playing in Seattle on Wednesday they have to fly back halfway across the country to open a series in Milwaukee on Thursday night. Here's a look at five interesting matchups on Wednesday's slate.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/21/2014

Another potentially important trade was made over the weekend with the Angels giving up about the only good prospect they had left in the minors as part of a package for San Diego's Huston Street. I believe that solidifies the only major weakness on the Halos and makes them, not Oakland, the favorites in the AL West. The A's remain -250 division favorites with L.A. at +120. The Angels' game with Baltimore on Tuesday will have live betting at Bovada. Here's a look at that and four other matchups.

MLB Futures Odds: American League Best Bets
by CarbonSports - 7/19/2014

With the down time during the All-Star break, there is no better time than now to look at some MLB future bets to get down on the rest of the way. We've got more than half the season of information to draw on to make these predictions and knowing which teams are on their way to being sellers and which will be buyers in the coming weeks helps a lot. I'm beginning with the American League, so let's dive right in.

MLB Futures Odds: National League Best Bets
by CarbonSports - 7/19/2014

Nothing like getting the tried and true St Louis Cardinals at +120 to win this division. St Louis has been a championship contender for the past handful of seasons and although they lost Yadier Molina for about two months, this team has enough depth and experience to overtake the Brewers and fend off Cincinnati and Pittsburgh for yet another NL Central crown.

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Saturday July 19, 2014 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews - 7/18/2014

Now that the World Cup is over, the next three Saturdays are pretty empty of sports action other than baseball. Thankfully, NFL teams have begun reporting to camps. MLB graciously has given up four matinee game this Saturday to occupy your day with Rangers at Blue Jays and Dodgers at Cardinals both having live betting available at Bovada. Here's a look at those two matchups and three other interesting ones on the schedule.

MLB Betting: Interesting Teams in the Second Half
by Trevor Whenham - 7/18/2014

The midseason break in baseball — always a brief but merciful respite — has almost drawn to an end. That means it is time to gear up for the second half of the season. One of the constants in baseball is that things always change after the all-star break. Every year there are teams that look very different after he break than they did up to that point. Sometimes they change gears and play much better as things get serious and their playoff futures hang in the balance.

Tracking the Nationals: Season-Long MLB Picks and Handicapping for Washington Baseball
by Dave Schwab - 7/17/2014

The better you know a team, the better you will be at predicting its results. Therefore, Doc’s Sports decided to release free MLB picks each week for the Washington Nationals during the entire MLB regular season to try and prove the point. Since the regular season got underway this past April, I have been closely following the Nationals with the goal of developing a high level of familiarity with their tendencies and betting trends. I have also been releasing my weekly free picks on their games, with the goal on earning a long-term profit over the course of the year.