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One of the most intriguing MLB betting options for this year’s World Series is Miami, formerly known as the Florida Marlins, and the Marlins made a series moves to show that they were going to be a player this season. However, it takes teams some time to gel and truly become a World Series contender and the Marlins may be overvalued this season.

Lineup

The Marlins flirted with Albert Pujols, but the future Hall of Fame slugger went to Los Angeles to join the Angels. Instead, they picked up a player that was familiar to them in the National League East as shortstop Jose Reyes (formerly of the New York Mets) signed with the new-look Marlins, and he gives them, when he is motivated and happy, the best leadoff player in the game. However, you have to keep Reyes motivated and that isn’t always the easiest thing in the world. Also, Reyes has to stay healthy to be effective for a Marlins lineup that was 22nd in batting average and 23rd in runs scored.

Rightfielder Giancarlo Stanton just turned 22 in November, but he lit up the big leagues with 34 homers and 87 RBIs last year. Now the question is, can he do it when the rest of the league knows how powerful he is? Also, can he recover from a few spring-training injuries?

Another major question is Hanley Ramirez, who was switched from shortstop to third to accommodate Reyes, and right now it appears as though he is content with his new position. When he is ready to go, Ramirez is an All-Star and he was reportedly unhappy with the move to third, but has come around since. The Marlins will need him, along with outfielders Logan Morrison and Emilio Bonifacio.

Pitching

Pitching is where the Marlins are looking to significantly improve their MLB betting chances from the mound, signing free agents Mark Buerhle (who spent his entire career with Guillen and the White Sox), Carlos Zambrano (a former Cub) and Heath Bell (the ex-Padre). Buerhle adds a veteran lefty arm to a rotation that has a chance to be strong, but it can also implode. Josh Johnson is coming back from a shoulder injury which ended his 2011 campaign in May, you never know what kind of performance you’re going to get from Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez was having problems with his shoulder in the spring, and Zambrano is a hothead (it’ll be interesting to see him in the a clubhouse with new manager Ozzie Guillen). Buerhle is coming from the American League, and he may be the steadiest option the Marlins have.

Bell gives the Marlins a legitimate 40-save closer, but there isn’t a lot of consistency in front of him. Steve Cishek is the closer of the future, and he and Edward Mujica are the setup men for Bell, although they’re both right-handers. The Marlins do have a couple southpaw options in the bullpen, but Cishek and Mujica are, hands down, the best that Miami has.

Intangibles

Guillen brings a feisty energy to the Marlins after seven seasons and a World Series with the White Sox, but he was also a coach on the Florida Marlins team that won the World Series in 2003, so this isn’t a new area to him. But there are high hopes in Miami with a new stadium, money to spend on free agents and a move to a new city, and Guillen has to be able to manage all that while staying competitive in the tough East.

Guillen’s biggest mission and the key to Miami’s MLB betting odds will be keeping the clubhouse together. The Reyes/Ramirez issue seems to be solved, but you never know when it’s going to flare up. As for Zambrano, he could toss a no-hitter and then fight a reporter in the post-game conference. Guillen has to let these personalities express themselves, but rein them in when needed. The players are veterans themselves, but Guillen has to take control of the room early.

How It Will Play Out

Miami is rated at +1400 according to MLB betting odds to win the World Series, and a wild-card spot is well within their reach. But the Marlins have to battle with Philadelphia and Atlanta in the East, and even Washington is considered to be one of the up-and-coming teams.

Let the Marlins come together for a season before you bet on their World Series odds; it’s rare that a team goes through such a large transformation before they begin to win and the Marlins essentially changed their identity, from their city to uniforms to players to their manager. They’re a definite threat to make it to the postseason via the wild card, but right now, we would stay away from Miami’s World Series odds in your online betting book.

MLB baseball sports betting and news

Even with the addition of the extra Wild Card spot in each league, there are at least a handful of teams that are well aware that they are at least one season away from contending for a playoff spot. The Baltimore Orioles are on that list, among the American League teams that despite undergoing some significant change in the offseason are still in need of a few more adjustments before they can be considered contenders. The Orioles have made a habit of occupying the cellar in the AL East over the years, and it will be difficult to end their string of four straight last-place finishes in one of the toughest MLB betting divisions in baseball.

When you consider that Baltimore hasn’t won 70 games since 2006, there is a sense that there should be major change throughout the club. Unfortunately, even with some key signings the Orioles don’t come close to representing a championship MLB betting contender. The team signed 26-year old left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to bolster the starting rotation, but the truth is that Chin is actually only a downgrade from Jeremy Guthrie, who was traded to the Colorado Rockies after spending the previous two seasons as the team’s ace. With Jake Arrieta and Tommy Hunter among the top options, it is clear that Baltimore has one of the worst starting rotations in the AL, and will be challenged not to finish with the highest team ERA.

Fortunately for Orioles’ fans they do have some key pieces on offense that will make the team worth watching. The team is trying to build around Matt Wieters and offseason addition JJ Hardy, and also added Nick Markakis to fill out the batting order. Wieters is a gold glove catcher that can bring a ton of offense, and Hardy is a rising star at shortstop, so those two will make up the team’s nucleus going forward. Brian Roberts and Mark Reynolds are currently pegged for the heart of the order, and Baltimore is hoping that Adam Jones can also provide some pop. The problem is that even with the offensive pieces the Orioles haven’t had the minor league depth to deal for a starting pitcher, and there aren’t many big names that have Baltimore at the top of the list for places that they would like to play.

The biggest task for the Orioles now is acquiring the players to build the starting rotation while complimenting Wieters and Hardy with better pieces to grow a young nucleus. This team has a lot of work to do going forward if it wants to be a legitimate sports bet contender, and while they will win some games, it will be hard for Baltimore to avoid the AL East basement. The Orioles are now committed long-term to following the same blueprint as the division rival Tampa Bay Rays, and while they may not see immediate results, the team is much better off in the long run.

MLB baseball sports betting and news

For the 2011 Boston Red Sox, the addition of another American League Wild Card spot came one year too late, failing to prevent one of the historic late-season collapses in the history of the game. For the 2012 Red Sox, change is a familiar theme, and like the new postseason format the fans in Boston are hoping that this year is different than last for their home team. The clubhouse will have a different look with new manager Bobby Valentine running things, and if his early comments are any indication, it will be a complete 360 from the way that Terry Francona operated his team. Valentine isn’t a manager that is afraid to call out his players and say what is on his mind, and if nothing else, he will keep his players accountable as a legitimate MLB betting favorite.

Considering the lack of accountability down the stretch a year ago, there may not be a better starting spot for change. Closer Jonathan Papelbon became the poster boy for the Red Sox struggles, but he’s gone now and the team will look for a new closer. Former setup man Daniel Bard would be the obvious fit, but the team appears set on using him to bolster the starting rotation. That is the first of many areas where Boston should be improved, as Bard is far too big of a talent to keep from using in that closer role. Among the other 2011 roster players no longer on the team are Marco Scutaro, Tim Wakefield, and Jason Varitek, and while none of those players really hurt the club down the stretch last season, they didn’t make enough of a difference to hang on to. The Red Sox weren’t big offseason spenders with Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney the two biggest additions, a sign from management that they feel they have the pieces to contend even though they didn’t get the job done a year ago.

A big part of that is based on the team’s starting rotation, which was expected to be among the best in the AL a year ago before Clay Buchholz was lost for the MLB betting season, and Jon Lackey struggled more than anybody projected. Buchholz will be back and Bard will be added to complete the team’s top-four arms, with Alfredo Aceves the most likely candidate to close out the rotation. Aceves was 10-2 with a 2.61 ERA as a reliever a year ago, and if both Jon Lester and Josh Beckett can bring their best stuff at the top, then this should be one of the best rotations in baseball.

Even with the collapse, there really was no need to make major changes to an offense that ranked first in runs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, with newcomer Adrian Gonzalez leading the way with a .338 average and 117 RBI. Jacoby Ellsbury led the team in home runs with 32, and if former MVP Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis can stay healthy then the offense should once again be among the most productive in baseball. The Red Sox once again have the pieces to be considered a legitimate championship contender in the AL. The problem is that expectations were the same a year ago, and they now have to mentally overcome the burden of that collapse as well when fighting to bounce back this best sportsbook season.

MLB baseball sports betting and news

Consistently one of the elite MLB betting teams in baseball, the New York Yankees won the American League East last season, coming on strong in the final stretch of the season while their AL East division rival Boston Red Sox tanked and missed the postseason. However, with greater goals than simply making the playoffs, the Yankees went out and made some key changes this offseason that should make their club even stronger, with the most important being the upgrades to their starting rotation. New York signed young pitcher Michael Pineda as well as Hiroki Kuroda, upgrading the one area that was considered a team weakness a year ago. Those two additions have helped make the pinstripes one of the most complete teams in baseball heading in to the 2012 season, where they will look to do much more than simply repeat as division champions.

Where Pineda and Kuroda will pitch has yet to be determined, but filling two reliable arms in to a five-man rotation is a significant upgrade, one that allowed New York to ship the enigmatic AJ Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates. With perennial CY Young candidate CC Sabathia holding down his spot as the team’s ace, Pineda and Kuroda will join a group that includes Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, and Freddy Garcia to fill out the bottom-four. While none of those are considered elite options, they are better than what the Yankees had a year ago, and the competition should bring out the best in each of them. Closer Mariano Rivera won’t be able to sustain his level of play forever, but he should be able to get the job done for at least one, maybe two more seasons. The two arms on the above list that don’t make the starting rotation will head to the bullpen to join Rafael Soriano, Boone Logan, and Corey Wade, giving New York a ton of options in relief.

The reason why the Yankees were able to make the best best sportsbook upgrades that they made to their pitching staff has everything to do with the offensive pieces that they already had in place, an area where they really didn’t need to look for help. New York finished the 2011 season tired for second in baseball with 867 runs scored, second in on-base percentage with a .343 team-mark, and third in slugging percentage with a .444 average. Robinson Cano exploded with a breakout season in 2011, allowing an order that already consisted of Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Derek Jeter even more flexibility. Curtis Granderson was another breakout star in 2011, and although he may not be able to duplicate the results of last season after hitting 41 home runs, he is another reliable option that can bring power to the lineup.

The fact that the Yankees are a better team now than they were a year ago when they won the division is an indication they should have no problem once again taking the AL East, but the focus for this season in New York is taking one of the most talented teams in baseball and bringing home a championship. Among the best sportsbook favorites to do exactly that this season, the Yankees do have the talent, it’s simply a matter of putting all the pieces together now.

MLB baseball sports betting and news

The Mavericks have had their work cut out for them for years, however they appeared to have never achieved much success over and over again. Almost all of their wins were either flukes or luck. All through their last five matches, they have only won once versus Utah, however the other four were all failures, losing with an average of 5 to 10 points in almost every game that they had. Because of the reality they aren’t persistently making enough points, it’s unquestionably tough for nearly all of them. Dirk might have been their stay player, however they only have not been competing all too well.

Wager on college basketball

The Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Thunder has Kevin Durant on the squad. With his average being 28 points and more on great days, it’s fairly apparent they know what they’re doing. If you examine their last five matches, they lost just one, however they won four of them straight. They won over 8 points on average of nearly all of their wins.



Wager on college basketball

The Mavericks have around +7 whereas the Oklahoma City Thunder has -7 when you examine their wagering prospects. If they want to make some huge money, those who want to make money off of this match have to wager on the Thunders. These prospects have been certified and over dependable in the game.

The Mavericks have achieved so much in this year, and they have really achieved over what most people have thought. Of course, when it boils down to the wagering aspect and the prospects associated with the game, it’s fairly apparent that the Thunders are going to win. -7 is an amazing standing point for them, and it’s actually true based on their last winning that they are going to win. For all of you wagering people out there, if you want to make some huge money, wager today on the Thunders before the game officially starts.

MLB Baseball Wagering

Maybe create a blog or something. I am pretty good at anything that is not college. NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL. I am really good with numbers and keep stats on everything. For the past two years, I have been profitable and I am getting better, but I feel that I need to get to that next level.

what do you mean Ideas???? there are only a few ways to bet. Moneyline, spread, parlay, etc… or do you mean to give your thoughts and “picks” to share.

Keep in mind unless yo ualready have alot of followers/friends it will be hard, there are tons of gambling blogs already out there from professionals.

I have worked for 2 of the biggest Sports Pick Companies in Las Vegas. Trust me when I tell you, they don’t rely on their pick records to convince customers to pay them money. It is a game of deception and arrogance. I know the business inside out and eventually I got so disgusted I had to leave and become a professional gambler on my own. However, let me just say, some of these sports pick companies make several million dollars per year. I know how they do it and what must be done.

I have played with the idea of opening my own website for Sports Picks, because without sounding to arrogant, I know the ins and outs of how they make so much money.

The one thing you need to realize is, NOBODY hits 70% of their ATS bets. I am a 20 year professional and I know more than probably anyone you have ever met, and I hit around 60%, which is darn good. An amateur might hit about 53% (which I certainly did for about a decade). That means the difference between a professional and an amateur is about 6 correct picks out of a 100. A professional should hit about 60 out of 100 picks ATS, whereas an amateur will hit 50% t0 55%.

Don’t ever believe these sports pick companies or an individual when they say they hit 70% or higher on their ATS bets, they are blatantly lying to you.

MLB baseball sports betting and news

Tonight the NFL soccer Betting season begins. Let’s take this opportunity to take a brief look at both the AFC and NFC Divisions to see what prospects may lay a head in the 2011-2012 season. Let’s start with the AFC East exactly where the New England Patriots have had a strangle hold for almost a decade. Last year the New York Jets exploded onto the scene and eradicated the Patriots in the Playoffs. You have to like the Patriots to find a way to win this division again.

The AFC South has been dominated by the the Indianapolis Colts, but this could be the year exactly where the Houston Texans finally make their move and take home a division title. In the AFC West the Ks City Chiefs won the division last year, but most believe that if the San Diego Chargers stay healthy they will win it this year. In the AFC North the Pittsburgh Steelers won the division last year and transferred on to the Super Bowl losing to the Packers 31-25. If they stay healthy they should win the division again, Though the Baltimore Ravens will give them a run for their money.

In the NFC East the Philadelphia Eagles won the division last year and should do so again. The Giants or Cowboys could make a run, but it is not most likely. The NFC West the Seattle Seahawks won the division with a dismal 7-9 record. Don’t count on that again. Look for the Los Angeles Rams to win it with a 9-7 record instead.

In the NFC North the Chicago Bears won the division last year, but it was the Wild Card Green Bay Packers that made it all the way to the Super Bowl to win it all. Though the Detroit Lions are making their move, look for the Packers to win this division again. In the NFC South the Atlanta Falcons won the division last year with the Saints taking the Wild Card. Look for more of the same this year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers making a probable challenge. There will be plenty of good soccer betting this NFL season.


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MLB Baseball Wagering

When the Baltimore Ravens and the Arizona Cardinals meet on Sunday, both teams will be trying to turn things around. Baltimore is trying to rebound from a very poor offensive performance which resulted in an surprising loss to Jaguars last week and the Cardinals are trying to break a 5 game dropping streak.

After a 4-1 start off to the year, the Ravens were held to only 146 yards of total offense last week. Ninety of those yards came on a single drive in the 4th quarter that resulted in their only touch down of the game. They weren’t able to convert a first down till the third quarter and only had 16 yards at the half. Regardless of how you look at it, the offense will be looking to make a point vs the Cardinals. They hope to improve on their performance by generating sure running back Ray Rice gets more than the 8 holds he got in the loss.

After winning their opening game of the season, the Cardinals have lost the next 5. Many of the team’s offensive woes are pointed toward quarterback Kevin Kolb due to his passer rating of only 66.8. This is the lowest rating in the NFL. However, Kolb isn’t the only participant struggling for the Cardinals. Their ground game has only reached the 100-yard mark in one of its first six video games and the defense is ranked 28th in the league for factors allowed.

Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt is looking at every position in an effort to prompt better play out of his team. He said “We have to find somebody to make plays” and has indicated they may be looking at multiple changes to make that happen.

They key to which team is able to rebound from last weeks losses may rest upon who wins the battle in between the Cardinals offensive line and the Ravens defensive line.


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MLB Baseball Wagering

The story of the game in this months contest between the Baltimore Colts (0 – 7) and the Tennessee Titans (3 – 3) is one of a suffering team vs a suffering player. The Colts, who have been an NFL power because the emergence of quarterback Payton Manning and they are 0 – 7 this year without him. The Titans have a star operating back who is averaging just under 45 yards per game.

The Colts have struggled to replace Manning who has missed the entire time of year so far. Kerry Collins was signed as a temporary replacement, but he was injured. That turned the offense over to Curtis Painter and they have struggled. However, the defense of the Colts has also not stepped up to expectations and they are ranked 30th in the NFL by giving up 416 yards per game.

The Colts haven’t been able to rack up a win yet this time of year, but the loss last week was particularly harsh. They were defeated by the New Orleans Saints by a rating of 62-7. Indianapolis may have to focus on generating a strong operating game in an attempt to turn their season around.

Titan running back Chris Johnson was late to camp this year due to a hold out. While he did sign early enough to play in the first game, he has been far less efficient this year and only had 18 yards in last months 41 – 7 loss to Houston.

Despite booing from the fans, head coach Mike Munchak has been quick to point out that the operating game isn’t always about the running back. “It takes 10 other guys” to efficiently be able to run the ball. They are hoping their operating game will regain the stature of their past with two of their next 3 games against teams that haven’t fared well against the run this year.


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MLB Baseball Wagering

Online betting players have been treated to a thrilling World Series so far, complete with pitching duels, historic offensive performances and sloppy bullpen work. It’s going to come down to a seventh game, so MLB wagering fans should strap in for an exciting week of baseball as the season comes to a close in St. Louis with a Cardinals’ victory.

Game 5 – Monday, October 24th, 8:05 PM ET – The Ballpark, Arlington, TX

Chris Carpenter (3-0, 3.52) didn’t have his best stuff in Game 1’s 3-2 win at home, but he managed to get by, giving up a pair of runs on five hits over six innings of work. C.J. Wilson (0-3, 7.17) had trouble with his command, walking six and striking out four, but he only allowed three runs on four hits. It’s been an inconsistent postseason for the 30-year-old Wilson, and this is his first appearance at home since Game 1 of the ALCS against Detroit. You have to remember that this is only his second year as a starter and Wilson threw 223.1 innings in the regular season, along with 21.1 innings in the postseason, so fatigue is definitely a factor.

Carpenter is built for this and even when he doesn’t have his best stuff, he does enough to keep the Cardinals in the game, and even though he has a 6.99 ERA in five starts at the Ballpark, he has a 2-2 record. You also should count on the St. Louis bats to wake up after a disappointing 4-0 loss in Game 4, and as a +113 MLB betting underdog on Monday night, they would be a smart bet.

Betting Edge: St. Louis Cardinals

Game 6 – Wednesday, October 26th, 8:05 PM ET – Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO

Colby Lewis (1-1, 2.95) should be familiar with going out on the road as all three of his starts in the playoffs have been away from home, and he pitched 6.2 solid innings in Game 2’s 2-1 win for the Rangers, allowing a run on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk. Jaime Garcia (0-2, 3.97) was on the other side, tossing a three-hitter over seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and a walk, but he was let down by Jason Motte, who blew the save in the 9th inning. That was his second straight no-decision, even though he has settled down since getting off to a rough start in the postseason.

Strangely, something similar will happen in this game as well as the Rangers try to stave off elimination with a big performance. Look for the Texas bats to come alive late in the game and in particular, one of their big bats, like Nelson Cruz or Josh Hamilton, who is battling what he thinks is a sports hernia. The Cardinals will probably be favored, but Texas is the MLB betting play on Wednesday night.

Betting Edge: Texas Rangers

Game 7 – Thursday, October 27th, 8:05 PM ET – Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO (If necessary)

The Rangers’ Matt Harrison (1-1, 502) and the Cardinals’ Kyle Lohse (0-2, 7.82) have been penciled in as the starters for Game 7, and neither pitcher made it out of the fourth inning in a 16-7 win for St. Louis in Game 3, which was highlighted by Albert Pujols’ three-homer performance. Harrison gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits over 3.2 innings, while Lohse gave up three runs on five hits over three innings of work in a game for the offensive fans. It’s doubtful that the two will have that type of game again in Game 7, especially in St. Louis where the games have been relatively low-scoring due to a few factors, but most likely the weather. It has been cold and damp in St. Louis, which makes the ball heavier. In Texas, the ball is much easier to hit and the Ballpark has always been known as a “hitter’s park”.

This is going to be up in the air and again, the bullpens will probably come into play as Harrison doesn’t have much postseason experience and the Rangers are asking him to pitch a Game 7 in the World Series. Lohse, well, he isn’t a very good pitcher and definitely pitched above his weight during the regular season. But at home, in a Game 7 setting and a managerial edge with St. Louis’ Tony LaRussa, St. Louis is the sports betting pick to make here.

Betting Edge: St. Louis Cardinals

MLB baseball sports betting and news