Up to MLB Betting Trends

posted July 2, 2008 at 17:31 in MLB Betting Trends

Online MLB betting fanatics will tell you that among the big four in America, baseball is the sport that most favors bettors versus the books. They'll back that claim because most ''locals'' won't even answer the phone during the summer until football kicks off. And, the same group of people also believe even the biggest online sports betting services consider breaking even on MLB to be a victory. But my online MLB wagering brethrens, let's face the facts:

1) Baseball is no easier to win than any other sport. It's a gamble and the outcome of a game can be decided by literally inches and-or one swing of the bad.

2) The ''locals'' don't take action on the diamond because they can't afford it and have no bankroll to fall back on. As you know, most of these guys work out of the basement and rely on customers to lose in order to pay winners, and if that don't happen the run around begins. Yep, robbing Peter to pay Paul deal.

3) The only reason big name sports books online don't tout MLB as heavily as other sports is because it's a slow betting period and they take advantage of the down time by promoting themselves, making up grades and other preparations for online football betting and the busier part of the betting season.

To think well funded and respected books such as BetUS fear baseball and consider breaking even on the season to be a win is simply foolish. Like all sports, nothing comes easy in this industry and no event favors the betting public as the house rules. Not even in baseball!

Now that the truth be told, let's get to the business of what it's all about in every sport: Winning money! By no means am I discouraging MLB wagering because it shouldn't be left untouched, as there are ways to get an edge and profit just like in all sports. And besides, what true sports betting fan is going to pass up nightly action?

Baseball produces more statistics and trends than any other sport. Some of which are great tools, though, often games can be over handicapped by including virtually useless numbers. Over my 25 years of gambling on all sports, I've found that keeping it simple is the best approach.

In addition to keeping it simple, I like using pitchers as my main focus on all the games. There's no single player among a team from any sport more important than the pitcher. But always looking for pitchers expected to win can be the wrong approach. Add in the ''due'' factors and you can make money on hurlers that's due to lose and-or win, of course.

Keeping it simple and focusing on the pitchers is a winning combination. Using this approach for Wednesday, I like the Cleveland Indians vs. the Chicago White Sox contest and it's a prime example of keeping it simple. The Indians are ice cold and the White Sox are red hot. Does get any simpler?

The division-leading White Sox will try to complete a three-game sweep of the Indians, as they go for their seventh straight victory. Chicago has won eight of 11 meetings versus Cleveland this season. Home cooking has fueled the White Sox to eight straight home wins, which is one short of a streak they had a month ago.

Cleveland, meanwhile, has dropped four straight and seven of its last nine games and are in last place in the AL Central at 37-47. They are already 11.5 games behind Chicago as we approach the break. Ouch!

The Indians will try to get a win by sending ace left-hander C.C. Sabathia who's been far from his best this season. Sabathia is 6-8 with a 3.78 ERA and is caught in a wind storm of trade rumors, however, he's been able to put the distractions behind him to go 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his last three outings.

This is where my due factor kicks in. I don't see Sabathia winning four straight with the Indians' offense struggling so mightily, that has the daunting task of turning things around versus Jose Contreras (7-6, 3.99 ERA), who's looking to record a fourth straight victory over Cleveland. In his back-to-back wins against them, he has allowed just one run and eight hits, while striking out nine in 12 2-3 innings of work.

To make this play even juicer, BetUS MLB odds have the White Sox listed at EV. That's a bargain for a hot team playing at home versus a club that's struggling any where they play.

Analysis: The White Sox are hitting a MLB tenth-best .264, meanwhile, the Indians are the league's second worst in baseball at .247. Chicago has 399 (fifth-best in the majors) runs compared to Cleveland's 357. These are very simple numbers and the structure of my MLB handicapping. Hopefully it will payoff with a White Sox victory.

MLB Free Picks: Chicago White Sox EV (8:10pm EST)

Go to the BetUS sportsbook today and take a swing at Major League Baseball online betting. We have the most current baseball odds and lines, as well as player, game and series props throughout the MLB baseball season. To help you bet on sports, check out the Free Picks section of the Locker Room for sports betting free picks and predictions. Join BetUS to experience the best in online sports betting action!