MLB Marketwatch Edition 11 2008
Sports MarketWatch
MLB Edition
8/22/2008 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
After a step forward, it was two steps backwards last week. We had an up week two Friday’s ago, only to be dragged back down last Friday. Today, the baseball marketplace presents us with some potential playoff match-ups – which means there could be some “live dogs” out there.
2008 MLB Games to Watch: 13-27, 32.5%, -11.38 units
Sports MarketWatch – MLB Games to Watch
Baltimore Orioles +185 over New York Yankees
After a slow start, Mike Mussina has been a bright spot for the under-performing Yankees, posting a 16-7 record and 3.35 ERA. On the other hand, Baltimore’s young 25 year-old pitcher R. Liz has a 7.5 ERA. This looks like a good chance to “buy low” and “sell high.”
About 80% of all bets are taking the visiting Yankees – even at the large odds of -185. We’ll grab the value on the home-team Orioles, who have a 32-26 record at home. The Yankees are below .500 at home, making the Orioles look like “good, live underdogs.” SIA still has a +185 available.
Baltimore Orioles +185 (SIA)
Tampa Bay Rays +165 over Chicago White Sox
With only about 20% of the bets, the Rays are still not getting the respect of the betting public. How often can you get one of the best teams in baseball at such juicy +165 odds? The Rays are playing the first place White Sox in Chicago – in what might be a preview of a playoff match-up. However, with 80% of the bets on the White Sox, the Rays look like a good value play.
We’ll “bet against the public” and take the Rays to continue their solid .600 play. Both teams have solid starting pitchers going tonight, with Tampa Bay’s pitcher winning 9 this year, and Chicago’s pitcher winning 10.
Tampa Bay Rays +165 (SIA)
Minnesota Twins +170 over LA Angels
This is another match-up of potential playoff teams. The Angels are entrenched in first place in the AL West. Meanwhile, the Twins are quietly battling for first place with the White Sox. The Angels seem to be one of the best teams in MLB, while the Twins have been in the White Sox’s shadow most of the season.
As a result, the Twins may be a good contrarian value here. About 3 out of 4 bets are landing on the home-team Angels. We’ll take the “quietly strong” Twins in this playoff preview.
Minnesota Twins +170
Games to Watch (13-27, -11.38 units)
Baltimore Orioles +185 (SIA)
Tampa Bay Rays +165 (SIA)
Minnesota Twins +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 next Friday with the new edition of the Sports Marketwatch – MLB Edition.
Enjoy the games!