Sports Marketwatch
MLB Edition
8/11/2009  5:00 PM EST
By The Team at SportsInsights.com
 
Welcome to the 2009 MLB Sports Marketwatch, 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 twice weekly on Tuesday and Friday, around 5PM Eastern Time.
 
Sports Marketplace – MLB Edition
 
In Friday's first game, Kelly Johnson broke a scoreless tie in the Top of the 10th inning with a two-run homerun, propelling the Braves, and Marketwatch, to a 2-1 win over the Dodgers. Our game second saw Texas jump on the Angels and starting pitcher Joe Saunders early, scoring four runs in the Top of the 1st. The Rangers, who hit five homeruns on the day, smashed their way to an 11-6 victory, and the second of the day for Marketwatch.

Baseball can be a very profitable sport to bet on when you base it off moneyline odds, especially when betting underdogs. The “plus odds” is a reason that MLB moneyline dogs can show value over time. Most people like to win – thus overvaluing winning teams. Our selections on moneyline underdogs will normally hit at less than 50%, but the “plus odds” payoff makes it a profitable investment.

2009 MLB Games to Watch: 37-31, 54.4%, +19.42 units
*Source: SportsInsights.com

Sports MarketWatch – MLB Games to Watch

San Francisco +125 over Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles goes on the road tonight in the second game of a critical four-game series with NL West rival San Francisco. The Dodgers came into San Francisco as losers of three straight, including 11 of their last 17 games, but were able to take the first game of the series yesterday. The Giants will send Joe Martinez (2-0, 5.87 ERA) to the mound tonight as they attempt to bounce back from yesterday's loss. The Dodgers counter with Randy Wolf (5-6, 3.55 ERA), who allowed three unearned runs over six innings in his only start against San Francisco this season.

Los Angeles started as -130 favorites at Pinnacle and the line has not moved since opening. The Dodgers are currently receiving 55% of runline bets and 59% of moneyline bets, which has kept the line relatively stable across the board. A Smart Money play was trigged at BetOnline, who are +8.11 units on the season, giving Marketwatch the confidence to take the Giants in this game.

San Francisco +125

Washington Nationals +170 over Atlanta Braves

Washington, winners of eight straight games, look to lefty John Lannan (8-8, 3.39 ERA) as they try to push their streak to nine tonight against Atlanta. Lannan is 6-3 with a 2.80 ERA since the beginning of June and has only given up three runs in 15 innings pitched against Atlanta in two starts so far this season. The Braves, who have won their last three games, hope starting pitcher Tommy Hanson (6-2, 3.22 ERA) can help cool off the hottest team in baseball. Hanson pitched well in his only start against the Nationals this season, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings of work.

Atlanta opened as -201 favorites at Pinnacle and have shrunk to -174. The public is heavily behind the Braves with 97% of runline bets, 74% of moneyline bets and 74% of parlay wagers currently on Atlanta. A Steam Move at Pinnacle (+39.52 units) and a Smart Money play at CRIS (+10.43 units) were both triggered, convincing Marketwatch to take Washington in this game.

Washington +170

Games to Watch (37-31, +19.42 units)
San Francisco +125
Washington +170

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 Tuesday with the new edition of the Sports Marketwatch – MLB Edition.

Enjoy the games!
The Team at SportsInsights.com