Paging All MLB Stat Obsessed

Does anyone have any Over/Under season totals?

To be more specific, I'd like to know just how many MLB games have gone over and under the opening betting total thus far.

My guess is that more games have gone over than under.

If this is so, what gives?

Is there a decline in quality pitching (starting and relief) across the league?

Are the hitters historically better than the pitchers this early in the season?

Is everyone, besides the pitchers, of course, drinking Red Bull and Rockstar energy drinks between innings?

Thanks for all the help, stat geeks!

MC Bet's UEFA Futbol Picks

Once again I have the itch for the pitch,
and like the Castrol man says
I'm gonna "think with my dipstick!"

With Gallas the Gunners must attack,
and guess who's back...Mr. Fabgregas.

And man I like Manchester
to kick some Porto booty, yes sir.

The wagering wench "pushed"
me around yesterday,
so she owes me winners
on the following plays:

Arsenal -1 (-130)

Manchester United -0.5 (-115)

2-team Parlay
Villareal@Arsenal Under 2.5 (-135)
Man U@FC Porto Over 2.5 (-110)

Itch for the Pitch: UEFA CL 2nd Leg

Unfortunately, my online sportsbook does not give many soccer betting options, the most glaring issue being the absence of draws. In addition, only today's UEFA Champions League events have posted lines, preventing maximum profit through four-team parlays. But enough whining. Here are my pitch plays:

Barcelona  0 (-135)

Chelsea  0 (-150)

Pitch Parlays

Bayern Munich@Barcelona Over 3 (-105)
Liverpool@Chelsea Over 2.5 (+100)

and

Barcelona 0 (-135)
Liverpool 0 (+110)

May all your wagers be winners!



 

Please Fall, Angel

Angel Cabrera is now -10 through 15 holes (3rd round), just one stroke away from the leaders,

I have no idea what the original Odds to Win for Angel were, but I did not wager anything on his angelic ass.

As a Catholic and proud fan of Easter, I understand the "cool media potential" of Angel Cabrera winning the Masters.

But the sports media is bloated daily with rich stories, while the average fan/bettor remains poor.

So please Angel, fall, falter, fail.

Losing His Stripes: Tiger's P(awful) Performance Promises Big Profits

First of all, what's not to envy about the life and times of Tiger Woods. He is the best golfer on the planet. He has a beautiful bombshell of a wife. He is blessed with children. Oh, and did I fail to mention the millions?

However, as I compose this thread Tiger is almost half way through the third round of the 2009 Masters. He is +1 today and -1 overall; the leaders, Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry (yet to tee off) are nine under par for the tournament.

Whether you adore a team or individual athletic talent, it is your duty as a degenerate gambler to seek, find, and bet based on value.

So today my friends...and tomorrow, of course...I'm wishing the worst for Tiger's golf game.

But personally, like almost everyone, I would trade lives with Tiger Woods in less than a heartbeat.

Shizaturday Diamond Plays

Straight Wagers: 5-1-1
Parlays: 0-2

Greetings, Major League degenerates!

Words, reading, and literacy is priceless....However, I am zipping today's money line MLB plays to you fast as a fastball in hopes that the lines won't move more than they already have.

Blue Jays -126

Houston Astros +118

Texas Rangers +138

Pirates@Reds Under 9 (-120)

Mets@Marlins Over 9.5 (-120)

I hope everyone bats 1000 today!

2nd Round Head-toHead

Romero over Baddeley (-115)

Mahan over O'Hair (-115)

Z. Johnson over N. Watney (-105)

G. Ogilvy over Mickelson (+105)

Good luck, golf gurus.

TNT's Cheryl Miller: Legalize It?

Is anyone else surprised by the wardrobe and hairstyle of TNT's Cheryl Miller this evening? In case you missed it, her halftime court side interview revealed healthy dreadlocks and a tie dyed shirt.

It was impossible to tell if the shirt carried a screen print for the Grateful Dead, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix...or more recent third eye acts such as Phish, O.A.R., and some band that always makes me think of mozzarella string cheese.

Both Cheryl and Reggie Miller are incredibly intelligent and articulate, and I would not be shocked if both privately held beliefs in opposition to the current, somewhat puritanical, American culture.

TNT already has noted gambler and teetotaler Charles Barkley, so if Cheryl Miller prefers weed, the more the merrier. Who knows, maybe next week Craig Sager will admit he's gay. 

Walk Off Winners

YTD: 4-1-1

Tomorrow is Good Friday, but I hope today is Terrific Thursday -- with regard to my MLB selections.

Texas Rangers -115

Only days into the 2009 season, the Rangers have amassed the following stats: .338 team batting average, 17 runs, 17 RBIs, 5 home runs, and a glowing team ERA of 2.50. In comparison, the Indians are batting .179 with a team ERA of 9.56. Former Yankee pitcher Carl Pavano, or The $40 Million Dollar Mess, as I like to call him, takes the mound for the Tribe. Opposing right hand pitcher Brandon McCarthy may have a mediocre 4.54 career ERA, yet he is 4-2 lifetime versus the Indians.

Overs ("Score some runs, you overpaid nimrods!") Parlay
Pirates@Cardinals Over 8
Mets@Reds Over 9
Tigers@Blue Jays Over 9.5

May all your MLB wagers be hits!

(Yes, I know the pun was lame.)

Walk Off Wednesday: Early MLB Action

YTD: 2-0

Step up to the plate, fellow degenerates, because the first pitch of the day is just minutes away.

Florida Marlins ML (-138)

Although only two games into the season (and facing the Nationals), I really like the Marlins offense. Today that offense faces former Oriole right hand pitcher Daniel Cabrera (8-10, 5.25 ERA in 2008). Chris Volstad (6-4, 2.88 ERA in 2008) gets the start for the Fighting Fish, his first against the Nationals. *Cabrera may provide at least one MLB blooper highlight today, for he is still learning how to bunt and hit the baseball. I'm not joking. According to MLB.com, "Prior to this season, Cabrera acknowledged that he was scared to swing the bat in fear he would get hit by the baseball."



Philedelphia Phillies ML -114

The defending World Series champs should finally pick up a win today. As a Philly, pitcher Joe Blanton is 9-4, plus two postseason victories. His opposition today, Javier Vazquez, is 0-2 at Citizens Bank Park, with a bloated 9.90 ERA. The Philly lineup is too explosive to be stifled once again by Braves pitching, especially by Vazquez, who has given up at least 25 home runs the last seven seasons.

Over/Under Parlay
Nationals@Marlins Over 9
Rockies@Diamondbacks Under 10

*I stake fewer units on MLB parlays -- always -- even if I feel very confident about the play. The risk is simply too great to wager heavily...and, once again, wind up looking like an idiot.

May ... [More]

Opening Day Early Plays

With snow flurries falling steadily outside, it does not even remotely feel like opening day for Major League Baseball. Honestly, it feels like a Sunday in early December. I have hot wings and chili on my mind, not hot dogs and nachos.

Texas Rangers +103

Yeah, yeah, yeah, this is like the broken record pick of the day, but I find it hard to back the Indians given Cliff Lee's suckfest Spring Training camp. He claims he was working on locating his fastball. I sure hope he found it, considering that, just like last year, this Ranger lineup is loaded with quality hitters. Former President George W. Bush will throw out the first pitch. Hopefully ESPN will get an interview out of his appearance, complete with stammering and verbal blunders. Also, for MLB fashion freaks, the Rangers will be wearing red uniforms for the first time since 2000. (They won division championships in 1996 and 1998-99.)

Pittsburgh Pirates +159

The Cardinals are a good bet to win the National League Central...and they had an impressive spring training. However, as long as Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm does not let nemesis Albert Pujols ruin his outing, I see great value in Pittsburgh today.

I hope everyone hits a homerun today!

Late Night Parlay

Angels -132

and

Giants -153

Question: My on-line sportsbook did not have totals for preseason MLB games all day today. Anyone else have the same issue?

Go Halos!

Go T-T-T-T-immy!