World series gambling

May 18th MLB news ... Welcome to World series gambling, the place that provides the MLB gambler with everything he needs to successfully handicap baseball all season long.

Welcome to worldseriesgambling.com, the place that provides the MLB gambler with everything he needs to successfully handicap baseball all season long.

In order to score a profit on baseball betting, the bettor needs to be informed on all of the latest trends, statistics and tips on a daily basis.

Whether you are looking for the latest odds or an in depth analysis of a series match-up, we will provide you with all of that information and much more.

Latest MLB News

MLB: Latos, Padres test 22-3 trend in key series finale
2010-07-29

The Dodgers have been in a prolonged offensive dryspell, having failed to top the five-run mark in any game since the All-star break, scoring just 2.2 runs per game during that stretch. Making matters worse for their key series finale in San Diego on Thursday is that they’ll be squaring off against one of the league’s hottest pitchers in Mat Latos. The Padres are -140 favorites according to Sportsbook.com, and a key 22-3 StatFox Power Trend backs them based on that line.

Runs have certainly been hard to come by for the Dodgers of late. It would be quite surprising if that trend didn't continue in the series finale between them and the Padres on Thursday against Mat Latos, who is 4-0 with a major league-best 0.80 ERA since June 22. He hasn't lost in seven starts since June 4, and San Diego has won them all as the big right-hander has struck out 50 in 46 1-3 innings.

Overall, Los Angeles is trying to stop the Padres from winning an eighth consecutive game started by Latos.

Latos will be opposed by Vicente Padilla (4-3, 3.41 ERA), who has also been impressive of late, going 3-1 with a 1.04 ERA in his last five starts.

Los Angeles made a move just before Wednesday's game that could ignite an offense that has scored 12 runs in seven games. The Dodgers acquired outfielder Scott Podsednik from Kansas City for a pair of minor leaguers. Podsednik, among the major league leaders with 30 steals, is batting .379 during a 15-game hitting streak and gives the Dodgers another solid hitter with Manny Ramirez still on the disabled list.

With the Padres playing as -140 favorites, its noteworthy to cite a particular StatFox Power Trend that will apply this evening:

• SAN DIEGO is 22-3 (+17.9 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -125 to -175 this season. The average score was SAN DIEGO 5.1, OPPONENT 2.2 - (Rating = 4*)

San Diego has been nearly automatic in this favorite role this season, and in my opinion, it has more to do with the Padres’ bullpen than anything else. In fact, San Diego’s relief staff has been the best in the business all season long and currently boasts impressive numbers of 2.79 on ERA and 1.041 on WHIP. Typically, oddsmakers don’t account too much for bullpens when building their daily lines, but with as good as San Diego’s staff has been in the late innings, the Padres have been able to either keep or build leads after the starting pitchers have departed.

Over the last seven games, only 13 hitters have reached base on the San Diego bullpen in 23-1/3 innings, good for a WHIP of just 0.557.

If you’re not sold yet on the Padres’ chances to finish off this series in impressive fashion, consider this power StatFox Super Situation as the potential clincher:

• Play On - Home favorites with a money line of -110 or higher (SAN DIEGO) - with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.00 or better on the season (NL) against opponent with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.050 or better on the season-NL. (60-16 since 1997.) (78.9%, +37.5 units. Rating = 3*)

The Padres are favored with their best pitcher on the mound against a Dodgers’ team that is starving for runs. Seems pretty easy doesn’t it? We’ll find out this evening when the teams throw out the first pitch at about 6:35 PM ET.

MLB: Top MLB Interleague Weekend Power Trends 6/11-6/13
2010-06-11

The second batch of interleague games in Major League Baseball is on tap for this weekend, and as usual, there are some great regional, and even inter-city rivalries highlighting the slate. Unlike recent seasons, the National League proved more than competitive the first time around against its counterparts from the Junior Circuit, winning 22 of the 42 games. This weekend’s games should prove whether or not that was simply a fluke, or if the N.L. truly is closing the gap. Let’s take a look at some of the best matchups, including 3-game sets in Chicago, Tampa, Boston, and Minnesota, while also revealing this weekend’s list of Top StatFox Power Trends to consider.

While neither of the teams in Chicago have gotten off to good starts in 2010, when the Sox and Cubs go head-to-head, it is always intense. The South Siders are 7-games under .500 while their neighbors to the north, the Cubs are 6-games below the median. The White Sox are embarking on a 3-stop road trip and come in as winners in three of their last four games overall. They are 7-5 against the Cubs over the last three years, but the latter are 4-2 at home during that stretch. The Cubs open a lengthy homestand in this set.

One of the more interesting series’ of the weekend is in Tampa, where the Rays host the Marlins. Florida has been one of the few N.L. teams that has actually fared well in interleague play since its inception, but still, they will be looking to snap a 2-10 skid against the Rays. Tampa Bay remains the league’s best team at this point, 18-games over .500 and leading the Yankees by 2-games in the A.L. East.

In Boston, the Phillies and Red Sox renew their emerging rivalry. Boston took two of three games in Philly two weeks back. There are distinct trends in interleague play converging on this series, with Phiilies’ manager Charlie Manuel owning an ugly 24-41 mark vs. A.L. East teams, and Sox skipper Terry Francona boasting a 43-17 record against the N.L. East clubs.

At new Target Field in Minneapolis, a pair of division leaders will get together for three games when the Braves visit the Twins. Surging Atlanta has taken control of the N.L. East Division with a huge run since early May. Ironically, they have cooled off of late, going just 3-4 in their L7 games despite pounding out over 11 hits per game during the stretch. The Twins have been one of the league’s best teams at home this year, going 20-10 while hitting .291 as a club, much of the reason for the comfy 4.5-game lead in the A.L. Central. Minnesota has also been great in interleague play, 28-11 for +16.8 units over the last three seasons.

There are also big series’ out west between the A’s and Giants, as well as the Dodgers and Angels, a series which is covered fully in the StatFox MLB Series Betting regular feature.

Now, here’s a look at some of the Top StatFox Power Trends you’ll want to utilize in your weekend wagering, including several focusing on interleague performance.

ST LOUIS at ARIZONA

<li>ARIZONA is 11-3 OVER (+7.9 Units) when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%) this season. The average score was ARIZONA 6.1, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 1*)

CHI WHITE SOX at CHICAGO CUBS

<li>CHICAGO CUBS are 10-20 (-19.3 Units) against the money line vs. teams outscored by opp by 0.5 or more runs/game this season. The average score was CHICAGO CUBS 4.1, OPPONENT 4.7 - (Rating = 3*)

HOUSTON at NY YANKEES

<li>NY YANKEES are 9-0 UNDER (+9.0 Units) in home games vs. NL teams allowing 4.8 or more runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was NY YANKEES 2.7, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

NY METS at BALTIMORE

<li>NY METS are 18-5 UNDER (+12.3 Units) when playing against a terrible team (Win Pct. <=38%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NY METS 3.9, OPPONENT 3.5 - (Rating = 2*)

WASHINGTON at CLEVELAND

<li>WASHINGTON is 17-6 UNDER (+9.9 Units) vs. a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse this season. The average score was WASHINGTON 4.0, OPPONENT 3.9 - (Rating = 1*)

PITTSBURGH at DETROIT

<li>DETROIT is 9-0 (+9.0 Units) against the money line in home games vs. NL teams scoring 4.3 or less runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was DETROIT 6.2, OPPONENT 3.7 - (Rating = 1*)

FLORIDA at TAMPA BAY

<li>FLORIDA is 13-4 (+11.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 62%) over the last 3 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 5.1, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 2*)

PHILADELPHIA at BOSTON

<li>PHILADELPHIA is 18-6 (+10.6 Units) against the money line in road games vs. a poor bullpen whose ERA is 4.50 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 5.4, OPPONENT 4.5 - (Rating = 1*)

KANSAS CITY at CINCINNATI

<li>CINCINNATI is 14-3 (+11.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 38% to 46%) this season. The average score was CINCINNATI 5.2, OPPONENT 3.0 - (Rating = 2*)

ATLANTA at MINNESOTA

<li>MINNESOTA is 39-25 (+19.7 Units) against the money line vs. NL teams scoring 4.8 or more runs/game on the season since 1997. The average score was MINNESOTA 5.5, OPPONENT 4.2 - (Rating = 0*)

TEXAS at MILWAUKEE

<li>TEXAS is 27-9 (+17.7 Units) against the money line vs. a poor bullpen whose WHIP is 1.550 or worse over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TEXAS 6.1, OPPONENT 4.3 - (Rating = 2*)

TORONTO at COLORADO

<li>COLORADO is 51-28 UNDER (+20.6 Units) vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game on the season since 1997. The average score was COLORADO 4.4, OPPONENT 5.0 - (Rating = 1*)

SEATTLE at SAN DIEGO

<li>SEATTLE is 30-15 UNDER (+12.9 Units) vs. a very good bullpen whose ERA is 3.33 or better over the last 3 seasons. The average score was SEATTLE 3.8, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 0*)

LA ANGELS at LA DODGERS

<li>LA ANGELS are 8-1 (+8.9 Units) against the money line in road games against NL West opponents over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA ANGELS 7.1, OPPONENT 4.0 - (Rating = 1*)

OAKLAND at SAN FRANCISCO

<li>SAN FRANCISCO is 68-44 UNDER (+17.2 Units) vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was SAN FRANCISCO 4.1, OPPONENT 3.5 - (Rating = 1*)

MLB: Bet the Padres, really?
2010-04-15

It’s the rubber game of the series near the waterfront in downtown San Diego, where the Padres host Atlanta. The Braves bounced back from a 17-2 debacle in the first game and handcuffed San Diego 6-1 behind Tommy Hanson and three relievers yesterday. For Thursday, the popular Braves are short road favorites, so expect plenty of support for them by bettors at Sportsbook.com.

Atlanta may be only 4-4, however offensively they have been quite patient at the plate, drawing over four walks a game, helping set up of batters to drive in runs. Bobby Cox team hasn’t capitalized as often as they should yet, batting .229 as a group.

The Braves are -124 money line favorites at Sportsbook.com with Tim Hudson back in the rotation. The 34-year right-hander had Tommy John surgery a season ago and made six appearances at the end of last year. In his first effort of the new campaign, Hudson gave two runs and three hits in seven innings against San Francisco last Friday, in which his team eventually lost 5-4 in extra innings.

Hudson will be challenged by Mat Latos of San Diego. Latos is considered the crown jewel of the new Padres organization at 22 and throws in the mid-90’s, along with having a good slider and big breaking curveball. Like many young pitchers, command is an issue and he conceded three home runs in six innings at Colorado, yet he limited the damage to just four runs by not walking any Rockies hitters and his team ended up winning 5-4.

San Diego is picked again to finish last in the NL West, having limited talent in the field except at first base with Adrian Gonzalez, nonetheless draws a favorable position as an underdog in today’s super situation.

Play Against road teams with a money line of -100 to -150, when their team's hitters draw four walks or more a game on the season, against opposing starting a pitcher who did not walk a hitter in his last outing.

The last three years this system has been spellbinding at 24-4, 85.7 percent.

Other factors to consider for the 6:35 Eastern matchup are Atlanta is 2-6 in Hudson’s most recent starts and the Bravos are 1-7 when the former Oakland hurler is a -140 or less favorite.

San Diego is a resilient bunch, 16-5 off a loss and 6-1 after a scoring two runs or less in previous contest.

With Latos sporting a 1.29 ERA in two appearances totaling 14 innings against Atlanta, he has the “stuff” to limit Braves hitters and who knows, the road club might be thinking ahead on getaway day looking forward to getting home with bigger series against Colorado and Philadelphia.

Do not forget about the Run Line in baseball
2009-08-11

Most baseball bettors love wagering on the sport because the results are fairly simple to understand. Bet the money line, and if your team wins, you win. If not, you lose. Bet the total and if there’s more runs scored than the posted number, it’s an over. If there are less, the result is an under. However, savvy players explore all the other options available on a given day, such as the Run Line or the 5-Inning Line. If you’re not handicapping these options each day, you may be missing out. Take a look at some of the top Run Line information available for Tuesday’s baseball betting board, then head over to the LIVE ODDS page for the latest prices.

For those of you new to the Run Line option, Sportsbook.com offers this type of wager daily. If you bet a Run Line Favorite (-1-1/2 runs), your team has to outscore the opponents by two runs or more. You will get a better price than betting a Money Line, but keep in mind, if your team wins by a single run, you lose that wager. Alternatively, if you bet a Run Line Underdog (+1-1/2 runs), you win your wager if your team wins the game or loses by just a run. You will pay a higher price in this situation than had you bet the Money Line.

Keep in mind that one run games are the most common margin in baseball.

Now on to those top Run Line handicapping tidbits for Tuesday.

Top StatFox Run Line Super Situations for Tuesday, August 11th

1. - (927) TAMPA BAY vs. (928) LA ANGELS
Favoring: LA ANGELS on the run line.
Play On - Home underdogs against a 1.5 run line (LA ANGELS) - with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 6.70 or worse on the season (AL), with a cold starting pitcher- ERA >= 6.50 over his last 10 starts (69-21 since 1997.) (76.7%, +47.1 units. Rating=5*)
The situation's record this season is: (3-0 +3 units).

2. - (921) TORONTO vs. (922) NY YANKEES
Favoring: TORONTO on the run line.
Play Against - Any team against a 1.5 run line (NY YANKEES) - team with a good OBP (>=.350) against a very good starting pitcher (WHIP<=1.300) -AL, with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.50 over his last 3 starts (45-12 over the last 5 seasons.) (78.9%, +32.5 units. Rating=4*)
The situation's record this season is: (1-0 +1 units).

3. - (911) PITTSBURGH vs. (912) COLORADO
Favoring: COLORADO on the run line.
Play On - Home teams against a run line. (+1.5, -130) to (-1.5, +160) (COLORADO) - hot hitting team - batting .315 or better over their last 5 games against opponent starting a pitcher who walked 5 or more hitters last outing (37-14 since 1997.) (72.5%, +30.6 units. Rating=4*)
The situation's record this season is: (2-0 +3.3 units).

4. - (905) PHILADELPHIA vs. (906) CHICAGO CUBS
Favoring: CHICAGO CUBS on the run line.
Play On - Home teams against a run line. (+1.5, -130) to (-1.5, +160) (CHICAGO CUBS) - with a starting pitcher whose strikes out 5 or more batters per start, with a hot starting pitcher- WHIP <= 1.000 over his last 3 starts (73-39 over the last 5 seasons.) (65.2%, +48.2 units. Rating=4*)
The situation's record this season is: (14-8 +6.8 units).

5. - (919) OAKLAND vs. (920) BALTIMORE
Favoring: BALTIMORE on the run line.
Play On - Home favorites against a 1.5 run line. (Money Line =+115 to +160) (BALTIMORE) - allowing 5.2 or more runs/game on the season (AL), after allowing 8 runs or more
(36-19 over the last 5 seasons.) (65.5%, +32.3 units. Rating=4*)
The situation's record this season is: (6-4 +4.1 units).

If you were keeping track, the combined record of these Top 5 systems for tonight in 2009 is 26-12 (68.4%), good for +18.2 units of profit. At that pace, the rate of return is almost 48%. See what you’ve been missing?

Top StatFox Run Line Power Trends for Tuesday, August 11th

1. - (923) DETROIT vs. (924) BOSTON
Favoring: DETROIT against the spread.
BOSTON is 0-10 (-12.8 Units) against the run line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season. The average score was BOSTON 2.6, OPPONENT 5.3 - (Rating = 4*)

2. - (905) PHILADELPHIA vs. (906) CHICAGO CUBS
Favoring: PHILADELPHIA against the spread.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-2 (+14 Units) against the run line vs. an NL starting pitcher whose ERA is 4.20 to 4.70 this season. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 6.7, OPPONENT 3.1 - (Rating = 4*)

3. - (903) WASHINGTON vs. (904) ATLANTA
Favoring: ATLANTA against the spread.
WASHINGTON is 5-16 (-17.6 Units) against the run line in road games vs. division opponents this season. The average score was WASHINGTON 4, OPPONENT 6.2 - (Rating = 3*)

4. - (903) WASHINGTON vs. (904) ATLANTA
Favoring: WASHINGTON against the spread.
ATLANTA is 2-15 (-13.8 Units) against the run line vs. a poor bullpen whose WHIP is 1.550 or worse this season. The average score was ATLANTA 3.7, OPPONENT 5.2 - (Rating = 3*)

5. - (917) TEXAS vs. (918) CLEVELAND
Favoring: TEXAS against the spread.
CLEVELAND is 9-36 (-32 Units) against the run line after 2 straight games with 2 or more stolen bases since 1997. The average score was CLEVELAND 4.5, OPPONENT 6.8 - (Rating = 3*)

If you were reading closely, you probably realized I tried to sneak one by you. In #3 & #4 above, the trends favor competing teams. This is bound to happen on occasion, and one of the “landmines” of tracking so much data. In any case, the other three games should offer you some strong options for Tuesday.

Make sure you keep all of these games in mind as you build your Tuesday wagering card, and don’t forget about the Run Line option the rest of the way…

MLB: D-Backs’ Haren a road favorite in K.C.
2009-06-18

It seemingly happens every year, a Major League hurler pitches dramatically better than what his numbers show. This year’s candidate is Dan Haren of Arizona. His team, the Diamondbacks, have been in peril all season. Arizona is the second worst wager in the big leagues at -12.2 units and new manager A.J. Hench already had to have a closed door meeting before last night’s game about what has been happening on the field. Are they worthy of road favorite status in K.C. tonight? You decide, then put your backing behind it by clicking on the BET NOW page.

One player that did not need to attend was Haren, whose 5-4 record is certainly run of the mill until you do a little work inside the numbers. Haren earned run average is 2.20, which is fifth in baseball for any pitcher making at least eight starts. His WHIP is second among all pitchers at ridiculously low 0.809. The deliberate right-hander has given up only 63 hits in 94 innings of work and he’s averaged nearly a strikeout per inning with his total of 90.

Haren has a number of pitches he throws for strikes, walking a batter once every 7+ innings this season for strikeout to walk ratio of 6.9 to 1, which most relievers would be jealous of, let alone starters.

In his 13 starts, he allowed two or fewer runs 10 times, with the team posting just a 6-4 record in those contests. Haren in the early portion of the season was snake-bit (intentional pun), as Arizona averaged only 2.7 runs in his first eight starts. Maybe the D-Backs players felt guilty about watching all these exemplary efforts go for naught and have scored 6.7 runs per game since when Haren takes the mound. Haren’s done what he could to help his own cause with seven hits in 31 at bats from the nine-hole.

Tonight, Haren will try and lead his club to something it has not done lately, win a series. The Snakes are 0-4-2 in last six series, but are 9-4 on the road when Haren starts against a losing team like Kansas City (29-35, -6.7 units). Even with the former Cardinals and Athletic on the hill, Arizona isn’t a lock since they are 7-20 off a win.

Sportsbook.com has Arizona as -140 money line favorites with a total of Un8. The D-Backs are 12-5 as road favorites of less than -150 and are 10-3 in interleague action when favored by -150 or less.

Kansas City’s Luke Hochevar (2-2, 5.60) will try to see what he can do to stop Arizona’s bats that produced 12 runs last night. Hochevar has won both his starts since being recalled from Triple-A and the last was beauty, a complete game three-hitter against Cincinnati. The Royals have been coming around, winning five of last seven, scoring 5.7 runs per game, compared to season average of just 4.2.

Two ways to look at this game for K.C., they are 22-10 (+14.0 Units) against the money line having won four of their last five games or 6-16 (-12.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent as a home favorite.

The ballgame is scheduled to start at 8:10 Eastern and is available in local markets, with Haren 8 -0 in his last nine interleague starts.

StatFox Power Line – Arizona -139

MLB: World Series Betting Preview
2008-10-21

For all the whining people have done about baseball being geared towards the money clubs, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay will be the 11th and 12th different teams to play in the World Series in the last seven years. These same complainers will no doubt point to the TV rating which will likely be quite low, however who cares what they think, since this Fall Classic has more storylines than a Gray’s Anatomy episode.

Start with the skippers Joe Maddon and Charlie Manuel. Both are long-time baseball men, entrenched in playing baseball the right way. All aspects of the game are used and instead of playing it by the book, each has shown the desire to take calculated risks (used to be called hunches), unafraid to change up the lineup or move starting pitchers around.

Maddon understood he had a young team and even grew a Mohawk to fit in with his players. Manuel is laid-back soft spoken sort, but is perfect fit for this Philadelphia club, as anyone has watched the Phillies all year or in the playoffs, the number of players that continually put their arms around or are slapping the back of Manual during games when things are going well. You don’t see that happening to Lou Piniella or Joe Torre during games.

These two teams are remarkably similar in many areas. The Rays led the Major Leagues in steals with 142, with the Phils six behind at 136. Philadelphia was 9th in runs scored at 799 and Tampa Bay was four spots lower at 774 runs. Both teams have a first basemen that the offense runs thru in Ryan Howard and Carlos Pena.

Tampa Bay has edge in starting pitching in the series, with all their starters having pitched well in the postseason. Scott Kazmir (13-9, 3.54 ERA) and James Shields (15-10, 3.57) will be the opening starters for Games 1 and 2 at Tropicana Field, where the Rays were 29-7 when this duo threw the opening pitch. Matt Garza (13-10, 3.67) won two games in the ALCS proving his skill and Andy Sonnanstine (8-5 on the road) has accounted himself well in two postseason outings.

Philadelphia has to piece things together more than Tampa Bay. Phillies ace Cole Hamels (17-10, 2.92) can be dominating pitcher and is on top of his game right now allowing just 13 hits and three runs in 22 innings in the postseason. Brett Myers (12-13, 4.59) is hot and cold and Jamie Moyer has been dreadful in two post-season appearances, allowing eight runs in 5 1/3 innings, being the only pitcher to suffer a loss for Philadelphia. Joe Blanton has been pretty decent and the Phils have won his last six starts.

The bullpens are similar, yet very different. Maddon does have a closer in Dan Wheeler, but has shown he will ride a hot pitcher in the right situation like David Price in Game 7 against Boston. If Price can stay as dominant, he would help immeasurably against lefty bats Howard and Chase Utley.

The Phillies have excellent set-up men, all leading to closer Brad Lidge who can slam the door late in games. If Philly can get to the late innings with a lead, they should be able to win each contest.

Nuts and Bolts- Tampa Bay had the best home record in baseball and Philadelphia the second best road in the big leagues. The Rays were better in games decided by three runs or less with 66-42 record compared to the Phillies 64-49 mark. Philadelphia is the hotter team, having won 20 of 25, though Tampa Bay is hardly chilly at 21-12. The Rays were 12-6 against the National League, while Philadelphia was sorry 4-11 versus the junior circuit. For what it’s worth, the former Devil Rays hold a 10-5 all-time lead over the Phils having last played in 2006.

StatFox Take: Philadelphia has an intangible the last several National League teams have not, power. The Phillies hit 214 home runs during the regular season, proving they can score runs in bunches. In the last 25 World Series games, the American league has out-homered the National 25-10. For Philadelphia to win, Hamels has to win two games and one starter and the Phillies bullpen will have to pick up another.

Tampa Bay has enthusiasm and talented young players. The Rays are unencumbered by expectations, thus should not feel pressure to have to succeed. Tampa has better starting pitching and has won three of five games on the road in October. If the home run hitting keeps up, this will be a tough club to beat four times.

Recently, most Fall Classic’s have been far from it, this one could go seven. With Tampa Bay being so strong at home, we’ll give them the nod, ironically earning that edge with Scott Kazmir being the winning pitcher at the All-Star Game.
Series odds from Sportsbook.com: Philadelphia +125, Tampa Bay -145
Wednesday October 22
Philadelphia (Hamels) at Tampa Bay (Kazmir) 8:35 EDT

Thursday October 23
Philadelphia (Myers) at Tampa Bay (Shields) 8:29 EDT

Saturday October 25
Tampa Bay (Garza) at Philadelphia (Moyer) 8:35 EDT

Sunday October 26
Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) at Philadelphia (Blanton) 8:28 EDT

Monday October 27
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia if necessary

Wednesday October 29
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay if necessary

Thursday October 30
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay if necessary

Offensive – Playoffs
Runs scored Philadelphia 4.4 Tampa Bay 5.8
Home Runs Philadelphia 10 Tampa Bay 22
Slugging Ptc. Philadelphia .431 Tampa Bay .508
Walks Philadelphia 34 Tampa Bay 37
On base Ptc. Philadelphia .335 Tampa Bay .335

Pitching & Defense
ERA Philadelphia 3.19 Tampa Bay 3.52
Strikeouts Philadelphia 74 Tampa Bay 85
Walks Philadelphia 35 Tampa Bay 45
WHIP Philadelphia 1.32 Tampa Bay 1.32
Errors Philadelphia 4 Tampa Bay 6

Note- Tampa Bay has played 11 postseason games and Philadelphia nine.

MLB: Phillies’ Moyer has been the Marlin Mauler
2008-08-05

The biggest game on Tuesday night’s MLB betting board pits two of the frontrunners in the tight N.L. East Division, Philadelphia and Florida. Only 2-1/2 games separates these teams in the standings currently, with the Marlins needing a big series to gain ground. However, if history serves, the deck is stacked against them this evening, as Phillies’ hurler Jamie Moyer has had his way with the Fish, going 10-0 lifetime. Not surprisingly, host Philadelphia is a -150 favorite at Sportsbook.com.

Tuesday’s game starts a crucial six-game road trip for the Marlins, as after games the next three days against division leading Philadelphia, Florida will then travel to New York to take on the Mets for three games. The team is trying to stay focused on just winning series’, while avoiding talk of the tight playoff race.

If history is any indication, the first game on the trip could be the toughest for Florida. Moyer (10-6, 3.79 ERA) has won each of his 10 starts against the Marlins, including three this season, while posting a 3.03 ERA. Still, even he is perplexed as to the reason for his success.

"I've been asked this same question many times," Moyer said when asked about his perfect record against the Marlins. "I don't have an answer. They're all good hitters. They give you good at-bats. They battle. ... It's a matter of making pitches."

Moyer will be trying to lead the Phillies to their eighth win in nine games. They took two of three in St. Louis over the weekend to push their N.L. East lead to the current 2-1/2 game margin.

There are a couple of significant other trends that will be backing Philadelphia in tonight’s game, one concerning the -150 betting line, and the other regarding Moyer’s performance against divisional foes:

PHILADELPHIA is 28-8 (+14.4 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -200 over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was PHILADELPHIA 6.2, OPPONENT 3.8 - (Rating = 1*)

MOYER is 20-6 (+16.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
The average score was MOYER 5.4, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 2*)

Getting the ball tonight for Florida is Josh Johnson, who is making just his fifth start of the season. Though he is just 1-0 with a 4.18 ERA in those starts, his team boasts a perfect 4-0 mark. Making that number even more impressive is the fact that all four wins came against current playoff contending teams in the National League. His last time out, on Wednesday, Johnson was hit pretty hard by the Mets but got the win in a 7-5 shootout.

The best piece on information on today’s FREE FoxSheet that favors Florida comes in the form of a Super Situation:

Play Against - Home teams (PHILADELPHIA) - with a starting pitcher whose ERA is 3.70 to 4.20 on the season (NL), with a struggling bullpen whose ERA is over 6.00 the last 10 games.
(58-39 over the last 5 seasons.) (59.8%, +32.2 units. Rating = 2*)

It seems that Florida’s best chance tonight is to get to the late innings with a shot to win. In any case, a Marlins’ win would sure make things more interesting in the N.L. East.

MLB: Interleague Revenge on Tap
2008-06-24

In the early part of the season, the National League was busting its buttons about how their league was gaining on the American League, with higher scoring teams, more young talent and of course its snobbish appeal with no designated hitter. On the field results have shown differently however.

It was very easy to drink the N.L. Kool-aid back in mid-May that this was all true, however as we head into the last six days of interleague play, a familiar tune is playing again. Thus far the senior circuit is 68-99, hardly the kind of numbers associated with success. At least two teams, Florida and Houston will have a chance for revenge at home against in-state rivals starting tonight.

Houston had worked its way back into contention in the NL Central, after a slow start and looked like it had the necessary components to compete. However, since May 28, the Astros have plummeted back to earth (or 5th place in this case) with 5-18 record since that day, which included eight-game losing streak. The reasons are varied, a weak starting staff, irresolute lineup and curious decisions by manager Cecil Cooper. Winning two of three at Tampa Bay, makes Houston feel better about itself, but still doesn’t hide 3-9 mark against the AL, with only other win coming versus tonight’s opponent Texas. “It’s definitely a start,” reliever Wesley Wright told the Astros’ official Web site. “When you’re struggling, you have to start somewhere and work your way back to where you want to be. This series was a big one for us because they’re one of the better teams in the AL. It’s kind of a measuring stick to where we’re trying to go and what we need to do to get there.”

Texas started the year playing awful baseball with 7-16 record, yet manager Ron Washington didn’t give up on his team and continued to demand more effort and preaching the results would come even if his job was becoming more in jeopardy. Since then, the Rangers are 32-22 and arrive in Houston over .500 for the first time since late in the 2006 season.

Texas has split six games at Minute Maid Park the last two years and will bring baseball’s best offense, which is scoring 5.6 runs per game. They will face Brian Moeller (3-3, 4.35, 1.373 WHIP), potentially licking their chops, since they are 31-23 (+13 units) facing right-handed starters, scoring six runs per outing. The Rangers are 10-4 in interleague games against RH starters. Houston hitters will see Texas’ top pitching prospect Eric Hurley (0-0, 4.91, 1.182 WHIP) for the first time, as he makes third career start. Hurley has a solid three-pitch mix and is doing on the job training for woeful Rangers staff.

Sportsbook.com has Houston as -120 money line home favorites with total Un10. The Astros are 16-6 in interleague games as a favorite of -110 to -150.

Over in South Florida, a pair of surprising second place teams will meet again. Tampa Bay and Florida’s style of play reflect the cities in which they play. The Rays are more conservative, relying on pitching and defense to win ballgames. The Marlins are like the nightlife on South Beach, with potent offense and full of surprises on any given night.

Florida lost series at Tampa Bay nine days ago and seeks immediate retribution. The Marlins lead the majors in home runs with 112 and will look to pressure Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine (8-3, 4.92, 1.416 WHIP). He has allowed a bundle of hits (111 in 89.2 innings), yet has helped himself and his team immeasurably with only 16 walks and almost 4-1 K/W ratio. After Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Houston, the Rays are 16-5 after scoring two runs or less this season.

Florida counters with Scott Olsen (4-4, 3.51, 1.300 WHIP), who along with his teammates is 28-18 (+13.2 Units) in the first half of the season over the last three seasons. Thou, the lefty Olson was roughed up in last start in Seattle, he’s been more consistent in 2008 and has 2.89 ERA at home. Florida is 22-15, +9 units at Dolphin Stadium and is 11-4 after a loss by four runs or more this season.

After opening as a Pick, bettors have preferred Florida, now up to -120 favorite, with total at nine. The total might be going one way in this Sunshine State encounter, with Tampa Bay 10-1 OVER in road games in interleague play and the Marlins 11-1 OVER after batting .240 or worse over a 10-game span this season.