MLB Marketwatch Edition 6 2008

Sports MarketWatch
MLB Edition
7/18/2008 4:00 PM EST
By The Team at SportsInsights.com

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Sports Marketwatch – MLB Edition, where the Team at SportsInsights gives sports fans unprecedented insight into the sports marketplace. If you ever wanted to know what was really happening on the sportsbook side, you now have an all-access pass with Sports Marketwatch!  Sports MarketWatch will be published weekly on Friday, normally by 5PM Eastern Time.

The staff at SportsInsights.com speaks directly with the line managers at some of the sports betting industry’s largest sportsbooks about which games the public is chasing and the Sharps are pounding.  We’ll take a look at what’s in store for upcoming games.

Sports Marketplace – MLB Edition

Last week, we went 1-2, with the Texas Rangers being our +105 winner.  Our overall record dropped slightly, losing -0.95 units (+1.05 – 2.00).  Let’s try and kick off the second half of the season in a positive way.  This week, the sports marketplace has us going for some “home-cooked” food!

2008 MLB Games to Watch: 8-17, 32.0%, -6.82 units

 

Sports MarketWatch – MLB Games to Watch

Cincinnati Reds +105 over New York Mets

This looks like a classic value play for our members who follow SportsInsights types of approaches.  The public loves the visiting Mets in this match-up.  More than 70% of the bets (including teasers and parlays) are on the red-hot Mets.  We note, however, that the line has moved slightly in the direction of the Reds – hinting at the existence of some “sharp” money on Cincy.

The Mets have won ten games in a row and capped it with a big come-from-behind victory last night in Cincinnati.  We’ll sell the Mets at a high and take the home team Reds (who happen to be well over .500 at home – at 26-20).

Cincinnati Reds +105

 

Houston Astros +105 over Chicago Cubs

Right now, the Chicago Cubs look like one of the best teams in baseball.  Houston, meanwhile, is tied for last place in its division.  Interestingly, however, many of the mediocre teams in baseball are able to play competitive ball at home.  The Astros are no exception to this rule, as they are one game above .500 at home.

Meanwhile, the powerhouse Cubbies are actually only 20-26 on the road!  We’ll take Houston at home and look for Houston to remain a live home dog and for us to grab some good, home-cooked, “contrarian value.”

Houston Astros +105

 

Baltimore Orioles -115 over Detroit Tigers

This is a rare favorite for MarketWatch, but our offshore contacts circled this game due to early “big bets” moving the line towards Baltimore.  SportsInsights’ statistics also show the existence of early sharp money.  With less than 1/3 of the bets, the line has moved from its opener Baltimore -113 at Pinnacle to -120 at some books.  You can still get -115 if you shop around.

Baltimore is a last place team if you “glance” at the standings.  However, if you look closer, you can see that they are just barely below .500 in the tough AL East division.  AND – even more amazing – they are a strong 26-20 at home.  Baltimore has won just 2 of its last 10 games – so we like buying them at a recent low.  We’ll take another home team to wrap things up this week.

Baltimore Orioles -115

 

Games to Watch (8-17, -6.82 units)

Cincinnati Reds +105

Houston Astros +105

Baltimore Orioles -115

 

It should be another exciting weekend in the sports marketplace.  Keep Sports MarketWatch picks handy and your browser pointed to SportsInsights.com for the latest real-time updates, using our exclusive Sports Investing tools.

We’ll be back next Friday with the new edition of the Sports Marketwatch – MLB Edition.

Enjoy the games!