MLB Betting - World Series Odds and Props
Fall Classic baseball betting gets underway Wednesday night when the defending World Series champs, the Philadelphia Phillies, head to the Bronx to face the American League winning New York Yankees in Game 1.
The BetUS oddsmakers have tagged the Yankees as -170 home favorites for the opener, but baseball bettors have more than just single-game moneylines or totals wagers to choose from. The World Series offers a ton of prop and alternative bets, which you would expect from an event this size.
Former teammates Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia take the mound for their respective clubs in Game 1. Both pitchers have been stellar this postseason. Lee is 2-0 in three starts with an 0.74 ERA, while Sabathia has won all three of his playoff appearances and has a 1.19 ERA this October.
There are odds on whether either pitcher will give up a home run, and odds for their total number of strikeouts on Wednesday night. Sabathia has an over/under of 6.5 strikeouts for Game 1. He sat down just five batters in his most recent start but ranked seventh in total strikeouts this season and has 20 Ks in his three postseason starts.
Lee is looking at a strikeout total of 4.5. The crafty lefthander is coming off a 10-strikeout performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers and also has 20 Ks in October. Since joining the Phillies at the trade deadline Lee has 74 strikeouts in 12 starts for more than six Ks per game. He faced the Yankees twice this season, both times as a member of the Cleveland Indians, and totaled nine strikeouts in those starts.
On the other side of the plate, both teams have been fueled by their star players. Philadelphia is riding the red-hot bat of first baseman Ryan Howard, who is hitting .355 this postseason. He's had seven extra-base hits and 12 RBI in nine games but has only hit two home runs. The oddsmakers have priced Howard hitting a home run in Game 1 of the World Series at +300. He's totaled 45 dingers on the season but went without a big fly in the series win over Colorado and hasn't gone yard since Game 4 against Los Angeles.
The Yankees are getting inspired play from third baseman Alex Rodriguez. He's put his October slump in the past and is leading New York with a .438 batting average. A-Rod has found the outfield bleachers five times this postseason, including hitting home runs in three straight games against the Los Angeles Angels. He hasn't gone yard in the last two games but hit 18 of his total 30 dingers inside Yankee Stadium this season. BetUS has priced A-Rod hitting a home run in Game 1 at +250.
Baseball bettors can also wager on player matchups, betting on which player will have the most total bases in Game 1. The BetUS oddsmakers have paired Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (+120) with Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (-150) in the most intriguing matchup.
Jeter has compiled 22 bases in the playoffs, with 13 of those coming against the Angels in the ALCS. Utley has totaled 13 bases in the postseason but only had four of those versus the Dodgers in the NLCS. In the regular season, Utley had 290 total bases while Jeter managed 295.
Finally, you can get Rodriguez as the +500 favorite to win the World Series MVP award, with Sabathia, Jeter, and Howard all trailing him on that list at +650. Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is next at +800, following by Utley at +1000, and Lee, Jimmy Rollins, and Robinson Cano at +1200. Johnny Damon rounds out that top tier of MVP contenders at +1400 odds.
(c) 1994-2009 BetUS.com. All Rights Reserved.
World Series Baseball Betting Game 1: Time to jump ship
The New York Yankees play the Philadelphia Phillies for the World Series which starts in New York on Wednesday. This series is unquestionably between the two best teams in baseball and it promises to be a classic, writes Nick Shiambouros.
The Yankees finished off the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Sunday evening to return to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2003.
The Phillies are trying to become the first NL team in 33 years to win consecutive World Series.
As expected CC Sabathia will pitch in Game 1 for the Bronx Bombers and he has been in sparkling form recently. This likeable lefty has a ridiculous ERA of just 1.19 in his last three starts. This former Cy Young winner will be a tough nut to crack on Wednesday if he is allowed to settle in to his rhythm. The Phillies are fully aware of his talent but are a team blessed with the best middle order in baseball. Make no mistake Sabathia will have his work cut out to handle Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth.
Philadelphia start Cliff Lee who has had a lot of success against New York and has an ERA of just 1.89 in his last three against them. Lee and Sabathia know each other very well from their time together at Cleveland.
This opening game is a very tough call but I have to slightly favour Philadelphia in this one. This team is beginning to dominate at the right time and I think the Yankees may not be able to stop this hard hitting rotation.
I have backed the Yankees to win the World Series at various prices throughout the season but it is time to trade out and jump ship.
Recommended Bets:
World Series Game 1 - back Philadelphia at 2.58
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MLB Sports Betting Preview: New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Game Three
On Monday afternoon, the last two teams standing in the American League get it on in Game 3 of ALCS betting when the New York Yankees (108-59, +$1,678) face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (100-67, +$2,300). The Yanks took a 2-0 series lead on Saturday night with a thrilling 4-3 MLB gambling victory in 13 innings in the Bronx. 3B Alex Rodriguez came up big in the clutch yet again for the boys in pinstripes, knocking an 11th inning home run off of Anaheim closer Brian Fuentes to tie the game at 3-3, but the winning run came on the fifth Halos' error of the series, which allowed Jerry Hairston Jr. to score from second on what could've been an inning-ending double play ball.
Manager Joe Girardi will look to take a stranglehold on this series when he sends LHP Andy Pettitte to the hill Monday. Pettitte was the man responsible for shutting the doors of the Metrodome for good for the Twins, as he was fantastic in New York's Game 3 victory over Minnesota in the ALDS. The veteran southpaw went 6.1 strong frames, allowing just three hits and one run, striking out seven in the process. In the regular season, Pettitte was great for Yankees betting fans, going 14-8 with a 4.16 ERA. He faced the Angels right at the end of the regular season, allowing three runs in six innings in a 5-2 baseball betting defeat.
Though Angels betting fanatics can't be happy that they are down 2-0 in this MLB playoff gambling series, they do have to like their chances on Monday with RHP Jered Weaver on the hill. Weaver was the horse of the Anaheim staff in this baseball wagering season putting up a 16-8 record with a 3.75 ERA. The righty hasn't had a great career against the Yanks in spite of the fact that he is 4-2 in his seven starts. His career ERA is 5.88 against them and the Bronx Bombers are batting .263 against him. In his first playoff start of the postseason, Weaver stymied the Red Sox, holding them to just one run on two hits and two walks. He struck out seven in the Halos' 4-1 MLB betting victory.
For the first time in this postseason, the Yankees have been made underdogs by the oddsmakers. The Angels are -130 favorites on the MLB gambling line, while the 'total' comes in at 9 over +100.
(c) 2008 Eye on Gambling. LLC , All Rights Reserved.
Sports Betting Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim
The second of the American League Divisional playoff betting series kicks off from Anaheim on Thursday night when the AL West winners, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (97-65, +$2,176) face off with the AL Wild Card winners, the Boston Red Sox (95-67, +$1,063). The baseball wagering oddsmakers expect this to be a great series, but in spite of the fact that the Angels have the home field advantage, they are slender +105 underdogs to move on to the ALCS after struggling against the Red Sox in previous postseason battles.
Kicking off the '09 postseason for the Sox will be LHP Jon Lester. Lester went 15-8 this season with a 3.41 ERA. He has been on absolute fire for Boston betting fanatics since the middle of August, as he has led the Red Sox to an 8-1 record in his L/9 starts. He was a fantastic strikeout pitcher this season, fanning 225 batters in 203.1 innings pitched. The 9.95 K/9 was the best on the Red Sox staff in 2009. The Angels have not gotten a look at the southpaw this season, but for his career, Lester is 1-1 with a 7.78 ERA against the Halos. He has started seven postseason MLB betting contests in his career, going 2-2 and leading the Sox to a 3-4 record. However, last year against Anaheim, he threw 14 shutout innings in two starts.
RHP John Lackey will oppose the southpaw on Thursday night. Lackey had an up and down season, but he ended at 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA. His WHIP was a very strong 1.27, but opposing batters hit .263 against him. His last three starts of the regular season were anything but stellar, which will have Angels betting aficionados scratching their heads as to why he is starting in Game 1. Lackey gave up 13 runs (12 earned) in just 13.0 innings of work since September 20th. In his career, the right-hander is just 3-7 with a 5.25 ERA against the Red Sox. In last year's postseason, he allowed just four earned runs in two starts, but the Angels lost both games.
The Red Sox are -113 favorites on the baseball wagering line in Game 1 of this series. The over/under has been set at 8 over -115. These two teams split the MLB gambling proceedings this year with four wins apiece. 'Under' bettors went 2-4-2 in the eight meetings.
(c) 2008 Eye on Gambling. LLC , All Rights Reserved.
Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners Baseball Betting Lines
Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Sunday when the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners meet at Safeco Field.
The Rangers will give the ball to starter Scott Feldman in this one. Righthander Feldman is 17-7 this season with a 3.71 ERA.
Feldman's opponent in this one will be Felix Hernandez. The Mariners righthander has a 2.48 ERA to go along with a 18-5 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mariners listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Rangers, while the game's total is sitting at 7.
Use your Betus bonus to bet on this game.
The Mariners scored early and held on for a 2-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday, as -145 favorites. The three runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Ken Griffey Jr. belted a solo home run for the Mariners. Ryan Rowland-Smith tossed 6 2-3 innings for the win, allowing six hits and one run.
Elvis Andrus drove in the lone run for the Rangers, who were +125 underdogs. Tommy Hunter gave up nine hits and two runs over 4 1-3 innings in the loss.
(c) 2008-2009 BSN Sports Blog.
MLB Betting: Weekend Series Recap
The St. Louis Cardinals are division champs. Their only unfinished business now, before the regular season ends, is to capture home-field advantage for at least part of the playoffs.
The Colorado Rockies, after taking two of three games from St. Louis in Denver over the weekend, still lead the NL Wild Card race. Their unfinished business is to take care of business, and stave off the streaking Atlanta Braves for that Wild Card berth.
Colorado took the series opener Friday night 2-1 on Yorvit Torrealba's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth. Saturday the Cardinals became the first team in the majors this year to clinch a division title with a 6-3 win behind another good outing from starting pitcher Adam Wainwright. The Rocks then took Sunday's rubber match 4-3 with help from a great game-ending catch by 2B Clint Barmes, who dove for a bloop off the bat of Ryan Ludwick, caught it and turned it into a double play.
So Colorado enters the final week of the regular season leading Atlanta, which has won six games in a row and 14 of its last 16, by 2.5 games in the battle for the National League's Wild Card playoff berth.
St. Louis, meanwhile, might already be in the playoffs, but they're still in the running in the race for the best record in the National League. Going into Monday's play, the Cardinals are three games back of the league-leading Dodgers.
Cook and the Rockies won as +130 underdogs on the BetJamaica.com baseball betting line Friday night. The Cardinals then won Saturday as +120 dogs; and Colorado then cashed on Sunday as -185 favorites.
Two of the three games in this series stayed under their BetJamaica.com baseball totals, as the teams combined to score just 19 runs over the weekend.
If and when the Cards and Rockies meet in the upcoming NL playoffs, bettors may want to note that Colorado took the season series from St. Louis this year six games to one, outscoring the Redbirds 42-19 in the process.
If the playoffs started today, though, the Rockies would go up against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round, because Philly is the division leader (winner) with the better record outside of Colorado's own division. The Phillies, at 90-65, are a half-game better than 90-66 St. Louis at the moment. Which means the Cardinals would start the playoffs in LA vs. the Dodgers.
Cook hadn't pitched in a month, nursing a sore shoulder, but he looked good Friday night, getting through five innings on 76 pitches, allowing four singles and no runs. Cook's next start is slated for Thursday at home vs. Milwaukee.
Wainwright boosted his Cy Young credentials Saturday, allowing two ER in eight IP, walking one and striking out 11 -- throwing 130 pitches -- in picking up his league-leading 19th win of the year. More importantly, the Cardinals are now 23-10 in Wainwright's starts this year. He's next expected to go Friday at home vs. the Brewers.
Lefty Jorge De La Rosa got his 16th win of the year Sunday despite giving up three ER in just five innings of work. And while his ERA sits at 4.45, he's been a good-luck charm for Colorado lately. Since June 1, the Rockies are 16-3 in De La Rosa's starts. He is next slated to hit the hill Saturday in Los Angeles vs. the Dodgers.
On the day back in July when St. Louis traded for OF Matt Holliday, they were 53-46, and led the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros by a game and a half in the NL Central. Since then the Cardinals are 37-20, and their lead in the Central sits at 8.5 games.
St. Louis now visits Cincinnati for three games with the Reds starting Tuesday. The Cardinals then head home for a season-ending three-game set with Milwaukee. St. Louis is 7-6 vs. Cincy so far this year, and 9-6 vs. the Beertowners.
Colorado now hosts the Brewers for three games starting Tuesday, then goes to LA for a season-ending three-game series with the Dodgers. The Rocks are 3-0 vs. Milwaukee this year, but just 3-12 vs. Los Angeles.
(c) 1995-2009 Covers Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
MLB Sports Betting Preview: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
In what could be a potential playoff betting preview, the New York Yankees (95-55, +$852) will take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (89-60, +$2,226) in an MLB betting affair on Monday night. The Angels hold a comfortable lead in the AL West standings, but with a sweep in this series, they reasonably could still nail down the best record in the American League. However, the bigger concern forNew York gambling fans is where the Red Sox sit. The Sox are within striking distance of the Yankees, so a bad series in Anaheim could make for a very interesting weekend series between Boston and New York.
Manager Joe Girardi will send his dependable left-hander to the mound when he hands the ball to LHP Andy Pettitte. Pettitte has led Yankees betting fans to 20 wins against just nine losses this season and is 13-6 with a 4.14 ERA on the year. Before suffering a 10-4 loss in his most recent outing, Pettitte had posted eight straight MLB gambling victories. The Yanks have given him a ton of offense of late, as he has received 7.25 runs of support per game since the start of August. The southpaw has faced the Halos in baseball wagering match-ups twice this season, and he has gotten lit up both times. He allowed five runs in 5.2 innings on May 1st at home, and six runs in 4.1 innings on July 11th in Anaheim.
For the Angels to improve on the best baseball betting record in the bigs, theyll rely on LHP Joe Saunders to guide them to victory. After his 11-6 loss to Texas on August 7th, Saunders was just 10-7 with a 5.33 ERA on the year. Since coming back to the rotation on August 26th, he is 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA, and he hasnt allowed more than two earned runs in any of his five starts. Opposing batters are still teeing off on Saunders this season, as they are batting .279 against him. Much like Pettitte against the Angels, Anaheims lefty has had a nightmarish time against the Bronx Bombers this season. On July 10th, the left-hander gave up five runs in five frames against New York.
The defending AL West champions are -120 favorites on the MLB betting line. The baseball gambling over/under has been set at 9.5, with the over lined at -120.
(c) 2008 Eye on Gambling. LLC , All Rights Reserved.
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