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In order to hit a home run during the baseball season, the baseball bettor needs to stay a top all of the latest trends, MLB betting line and statistics. This site will provide all of that information and much more.

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MLB: Top MLB Weekend Power Trends 8/20-8/22
2010-08-21

If late August baseball clashes between competing teams in the playoff races are your thing, then this weekend in Major League Baseball is probably not for you. Of the 15 series’ going on, only one pits current playoff contenders against one another, that coming in St. Louis, where the Cardinals host the Giants. However, if you’re indifferent to that type of drama and just prefer to get some solid wagering action down, then this weekend’s slate is as good as any. I’m here to help with that, looking at some of the series’ you will be handicapping while also revealing this weekend’s list of top StatFox Power Trends to consider.

As indicated earlier, the key series in baseball this weekend matches the Giants and Cardinals, the two teams closest to Philadelphia in the race for the N.L.’s wildcard position heading into the weekend. St. Louis is just a game back of the Phillies but has given up ground of late, losing its last four games. The Giants are two games out that wildcard spot, but like the Cardinals, have scuffled a bit of late, yielding ground during a current 6-9 swoon through August. This will be just the second meeting of the season between these teams, with San Francisco having taken two of three back in April at home. All three of those games went under the total, producing a combined nine runs.

The divisional leaders in the National League will all be on the road this weekend. Atlanta, which maintains a 2.5-game lead over Philadelphia in the East, will be in Chicago taking on the Cubs. The hosts have officially thrown in the towel on this season, and perhaps the current era, as they have unloaded their roster in trades for prospects and find themselves 20.5-games out of the Central lead behind Cincinnati. The Braves haven’t exactly set the world on fire on the road though this season, going just 27-33. The Reds are in Los Angeles where they have historically struggled, losing their last 12 games to the Dodgers. However, chances are much better they can get it done now, since they are on a 6-game winning streak in which they have scored 40 runs. Finally, the Padres, leading the West by 6-games, head to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers.

The most exciting race currently in the American League is being staged by the Yankees and Rays in the East. The teams are separated by a single game for both the division lead and the best overall record in the majors. On paper, the division leading Yankees have the big edge this weekend, playing host to the lowly Mariners, who are just 19-41 on the road this season. The Rays meanwhile, are in Oakland, facing the tough A’s pitching staff. The A’s already took game one of the 4-game set on Thursday night, 4-3, behind another solid starting outing from Trevor Cahill.

The Red Sox are starting to make some noise once again behind the Yankees & Rays but they are still 5.5-games behind Tampa for the A.L. Wildcard spot. Boston hosts Toronto this weekend, but the Jays are also playing well, having gone 22-15 since the 4th of July holiday. The Red Sox bats seem to have awoken from a slumber, as they have scored 5.4 runs per game during their current 6-4 surge. They host this series and another at home against Seattle before heading to Tampa next weekend for what could be a do or die set. Elsewhere, the other divisional leaders, Minnesota and Texas, will be at home versus the Angels, and at Baltimore, respectively.

Now, here’s a look at those top StatFox Power Trends promised earlier for this weekend’s action:

ATLANTA at CHICAGO CUBS

<li>CHICAGO CUBS are 12-30 (-15.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) in the second half of the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 3.8, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 1*)

NY METS at PITTSBURGH

<li>PITTSBURGH is 5-31 (-22.7 Units) against the money line vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better this season. The average score was PITTSBURGH 2.8, OPPONENT 6.1 - (Rating = 4*)

WASHINGTON at PHILADELPHIA

<li>PHILADELPHIA is 13-2 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in home games vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game in the second half of this season. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 5.7, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

HOUSTON at FLORIDA

<li>FLORIDA is 6-14 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in home games vs. an NL team with an on base percentage .315 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 4.1, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 2*)

SAN DIEGO at MILWAUKEE

<li>SAN DIEGO is 22-5 (+16.4 Units) against the money line against NL Central opponents this season. The average score was SAN DIEGO 4.6, OPPONENT 2.1 - (Rating = 3*)

SAN FRANCISCO at ST LOUIS

<li>SAN FRANCISCO is 24-10 UNDER (+12.1 Units) vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better this season. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 3.0, OPPONENT 3.2 - (Rating = 2*)

COLORADO at ARIZONA

<li>ARIZONA is 46-28 OVER (+16.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season. The average score was ARIZONA 4.7, OPPONENT 5.5 - (Rating = 2*)

CINCINNATI at LA DODGERS

<li>LA DODGERS are 21-30 (-12.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season. The average score was LA DODGERS 3.9, OPPONENT 4.2 - (Rating = 1*)

SEATTLE at NY YANKEES

<li>SEATTLE is 4-18 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in road games vs. a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 or better this season. The average score was SEATTLE 2.6, OPPONENT 5.0 - (Rating = 1*)

TEXAS at BALTIMORE

<li>BALTIMORE is 33-17 UNDER (+13.5 Units) vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game this season. The average score was BALTIMORE 3.3, OPPONENT 4.7 - (Rating = 2*)

CLEVELAND at DETROIT

<li>DETROIT is 16-30 (-21.2 Units) against the money line vs. an AL team with a batting average of .260 or worse in the second half of the last 2 seasons. The average score was DETROIT 3.7, OPPONENT 5.0 - (Rating = 2*)

TORONTO at BOSTON

<li>TORONTO is 32-26 (+10.7 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game on the season this season. The average score was TORONTO 4.7, OPPONENT 4.8 - (Rating = 1*)

LA ANGELS at MINNESOTA

<li>MINNESOTA is 40-24 (+14.4 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game this season. The average score was MINNESOTA 4.7, OPPONENT 4.1 - (Rating = 1*)

CHI WHITE SOX at KANSAS CITY

<li>CHI WHITE SOX are 22-13 OVER (+8.6 Units) vs. terrible power teams - averaging 0.75 or less HR's/game this season. The average score was CHI WHITE SOX 4.9, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 1*)

TAMPA BAY at OAKLAND

<li>TAMPA BAY is 11-24 (-17.7 Units) against the money line in road games vs. a good bullpen that converts on 75%+ of their save opportunities over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TAMPA BAY 4.1, OPPONENT 4.9 - (Rating = 2*)

MLB: Handicapping signs point to Johnson, Florida
2010-08-19

The Marlins and Pirates continue a 4-game set in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night and so far the teams have split two 6-run decisions, with Florida taking the latest encounter in shutout fashion on Tuesday night. That win, a key system, several strong trends, and stud pitcher Josh Johnson going for the Marlins are good signs of a potential repeat performance on Wednesday night. This game is certainly worthy of your consideration, both on the money line and run line. Sportsbook.com currently lists Florida as a -162 favorite, with an accompanying run line of -1.5 (-105).

Johnson didn't look anything like a Cy Young Award contender his last time out, failing to escape the fourth inning in his worst start in more than three years. The right-hander gave up six runs and 10 hits over 3 2-3 innings, failing to record a strikeout in a 7-2 loss at Cincinnati.

Following that rough outing with another seems rather unlikely, as he faces the Pirates and their NL-worst offense. Johnson's ERA has dropped from easily the best in the majors to fourth, but the Marlins (58-60) won't be surprised if he rebounds Wednesday at PNC Park. Pittsburgh is averaging 3.43 runs and hitting .241, both last in the NL.

The Pirates (40-79) mustered six hits against Ricky Nolasco and two relievers in a 6-0 loss Tuesday that evened the four-game set at 1-all. The Marlins held a closed-door meeting after Monday's 7-1 loss.

It's no surprise Pittsburgh has struggled to hit the premier pitching in the NL, but the numbers are still staggering. The nine pitchers other than Johnson that make up the league's top 10 in ERA are 8-2 with a 1.22 ERA in 12 starts against the Pirates.

Aside from who Pittsburgh faces, the presence of Ross Ohlendorf (1-9, 3.95) on the mound seems to guarantee the Pirates' bats will go cold. No starter who has pitched 50 innings has received less support than the 2.24 runs Ohlendorf averages.

The following money line system from FoxSheets gives Florida about an 80% chance of winning tonight, based upon Johnson’s prowess and Pittsburgh’s offensive ineptitude.

Play Against - All underdogs with a money line of +125 to +175 (PITTSBURGH) - bad offensive team (<=4.1 runs/game) against a good starting pitcher (ERA<=3.70) (NL), with a decent bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 to 1.450 on the season. (68-17 over the last 5 seasons.) (80%, +40.9 units. Rating = 3*)

As indicated earlier, this is also a good potential run line spot, and a completely separate StatFox system will be looking for its seventh straight win behind the Marlins this evening:

Play On - Road teams against a 1.5 run line (FLORIDA) - below average hitting team (AVG <=.255) against a decent starting pitcher (ERA=3.70 to 4.20) -NL, with a starting pitcher whose strikes out 5 or more batters per start. (47-13 over the last 5 seasons.) (78.3%, +33.5 units. Rating = 4*)

The situation's record this season is: (6-0, +6.1 units).

Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (40-8, +31.9 units).

Since 1997 the situation's record is: (95-46, +37.5 units).

The powerful information doesn’t stop there though, as numerous trends seem to indicate that Pittsburgh is in over its head for tonight’s game:

• RUSSELL is 28-69 (-26.7 Units) against the money line vs. an NL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 or better as the manager of PITTSBURGH. The average score was PITTSBURGH 3.2, OPPONENT 5.1 - (Rating = 1*)

Of course, stranger things than a mild baseball upset on a Wednesday night in August have occurred in sports, but it certainly does look like as solid of a play as they come. We’ll see what happens when the Marlins and Pirates throw out the first pitch at 7:05 PM ET tonight from PNC Park.

It’s Never Too Early for World Series Predictions
2010-08-19

The end of July unofficially signals the beginning of phase two of the Major League Baseball season. With the contenders definitively pulling away from the pretenders in each division, the playoff picture is starting to take shape, and baseball betting is watching.

The next few months will make or break each team’s chances, as history as proven that World Series winners are made in August and September—not born in April. (A perfect example would be the shocking 2007 World Series between the Red Sox and the Rockies, who amounted to virtually nothing for the first four months of the season, but got hot at the right time and rode their way to a World Series.)

Here’s a preview of what to expect come mid-October, with in terms of the four playoff teams from each league and a World Series winner.

AL West: Texas Rangers. Historically, the Rangers have had good starts to the season in recent years, but have tapered off and missed the playoffs altogether. This year is special for the Rangers, who have finally added some much-needed pitching in the form of Cliff Lee. With their batters hitting as well as they have, they should hold off an aging Angels team to secure a win in the AL West. The line at www.sportsbook.com agrees, as the Texas Rangers are heavy favorites right now at -10000.

AL Central: Chicago White Sox. With the possible addition of Edwin Jackson, who threw a no-hitter earlier this year, the ChiSox would have the most well-rounded team in a weaker-than-usual AL Central. This isn’t a team that is going to scare many people, but they will beat the Twins for a playoff spot.

AL East: New York Yankees. Defense wins championships, and the Yanks have the best starting pitching in the division and have been consistent all season long. They have enough weapons to beat out the Rays down the stretch, if they can manage a stretch without two of their best starters.

AL Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa’s lineup is just more intimidating than the Red Sox’s at this point, and they’ve proven they can win with this lineup, as seen in 2008.

NL West: San Francisco Giants. The Giants are playing like a World Series contender right now. Led by seemingly superhuman rookie Buster Posey and a downright filthy pitching staff, it’s only a matter of time before they catch up to the Padres, who have slowed their pace since getting out to a huge early season lead.

NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals. This is going to be a closer race than many people expect, but the Reds’ pitching staff just isn’t up to the task of fighting off Pujols and his experienced crew. I expect the Cards to gain control and not let go next time these two teams match up. The line at www.sportsbook.com has the Cardinals as the favorite at -150 currently.

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies. The Phils are starting to hit, and that spells trouble for their division rivals, given the addition of Roy Oswalt to the city of brotherly love. Without question, this is the best rotation in baseball, and if Chase Utley is a shadow of his former self when he returns from injury, this is still the team to beat.

NL Wild Card: Atlanta Braves. This is a really well-balanced lineup with a good mix of experience and youth playing under manager Bobby Cox for his final season. A brutal wild card race is in store for a number of teams, but I see Atlanta coming out on top.

ALDS: Yankees top the White Sox in a sweep. Beyond Mark Buehrle, there’s nothing that the White Sox can throw out there that the Yankees can’t handle. This should be an easy week for New York.

ALDS: Texas over Tampa in seven. I predict this will be the most interesting playoff series we’ll see, so play close attention if and when it comes up. These are two dynamic teams with clear strengths all over the field. In the end, I give it to the team that has been the most aggressive in going out and getting a top-level starter for the playoff push.

NLDS: Philadelphia over St. Louis in six. The Cardinals have a lot of depth at the plate, but it’s all about starting pitching and timely hitting in the playoffs, and that describes Philadelphia to a T.

NLDS: San Francisco over Atlanta in five. The young guns take on the old guard in this one, and I have a sneaking suspicion that this series will signal the beginning of a long run for the Giants as a top contender in the National League. There’s just enough experience there to make me believe that their superior starters will be able to focus and pull through.

ALCS: New York bests the Rangers in five. You have to hand it to the “evil empire,” they know what they’re doing. The addition of Lance Berkman gives them depth that they haven’t had in a while—and they won the World Series last year.

NLCS: Philadelphia over San Francisco in six. There’s nothing quite like the same championship twice in a row, and it hasn’t happened in baseball since 1977-78. The experience that the Phillies have is just too much to overlook, especially with the addition of another World Series pitcher is Oswalt.

World Series. Philadelphia over New York in six. Put simply, the Phillies are the team getting hot and getting better at the right time of year. Despite their early season struggles, this team has proven that they are worth discussing as a true dynasty in a league that hasn’t produced more than a handful in the past 50 years. If I’m placing a bet today, Philadelphia has my money to win their second championship in three seasons.