2012 MLB O/U Record: 291-270-32, -$1,611 (Was making bigger bets earlier in the season, with countless fluke bad breaks, obviously. I also undoubtedly lead the country in half-run/one-run losses)
2011 MLB O/U Record: 366-270-42, +$1,104
Probably one of the more frustrating 3-1 days (Not to mention winning my “Recommended Game” for the seventh straight time; continuing to win over 60-percent of those) someone could have, since that one “loss” was my best bet yesterday, and I was so on top of that game that I even predicted the *exact* score I would lose! Could not have been anymore 100-percent right with Mendoza vs Shields, and because of that “loss,” I made almost nothing yesterday despite my overall excellent performance. At the very least, Wednesday’s dominance pushed me to 38-26-5 (59.3%) this month, so hopefully it can continue through today’s promising shortened Thursday slate…
Toronto Blue Jays @ Detroit Tigers (Best Bet) - $88 for $75
JA Happ vs Justin Verlander
UNDER 7.5
It is very nice to see JA Happ, one of my top five favorite pitchers, not only rightfully get back into a Major League rotation, but to be thriving again. Call it bias if you want, since I’ve loved Mr. Happ ever since he was acquired by Houston in mid-2010, but this is someonewho is probably one of the most underrated starting pitchers in ALL of baseball, and that’s no exaggeration. Just take a look at his numbers, specifically his game log over the years, for yourself. Yes, his final ERA last year ended up at a very unspectacular 5.35, but if you remember, he was actually so off from his usual standards that he was sent down in early August 2011 (With a 6.26 ERA), before returning a few weeks later, leading him to make six starts the rest of the way - five of which registered as quality ones, allowing two runs or less in those five. The other one wasn’t even a horrible one, as he allowed four runs, which happens. The bottom line is that when Happ is kind of forced to be at the top of his game, he can absolutely dominant, as he was showing again at the end of last year. Throughout this season with Houston, he displayed shades of it, with about half of his total starts clocking in as quality efforts, but now he’s under the mindset where he has to perform, ever since coming over to Toronto, and thus, having to prove himself, especially after beginning his Blue Jay tenure in the bullpen (What a bad managerial decision that was; to even think of leaving JA Happ out of someone’s rotation is just absolutely ludicrous). Furthermore, I’ve been reading quotes recently from Happ exhibiting his excitement about being a starter again, something he absolutely prefers, so this is certainly a newfound opportunity he cannot afford to relinquish. Best of all, he’s coming off his best start as a Blue Jay, in which he had the mighty Texas Rangers lineup in the palm of his hand (!), holding them to one run on only two hits in six innings of work. Perhaps most importantly, in what has always been a major strength of his game, he struck out eight batters. Being matched up against one of the best aces in all of baseball this afternoon just might bring out another excellent statline from Happ, who looks forward to duels. He’s definitely in the right frame of mind at the current moment.
Wow, you’d think after writing all of that, it would be detailing the much-talked about Justin Verlander, but hey, my main strength is writing extensively about the under-the-radar pitchers, and the Toronto left-hander is certainly one of those, not to mention, as I said, one of my favorite pitchers in all of baseball. If you choose to tail this under, not only should you feel secure with my deep knowledge concerning Happ, but also because opposing him is arguably the best pitcher in all of the American League, and maybe all of baseball, that obviously being Verlander. I mean, what’s there not to like about him? He’s having another magnificent season (12-7, 2.53 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 180:45 K:BB ratio in 181 innings), and he’s about to square off with a team that has struggled significantly offensively over the past week-plus. In fact, the Blue Jays have scored just 13 runs in their past six runs, and have only exceeded the five-run plateau once their last ten. With their documented offensive problems lately, just how will they suddenly get it going against a stud ace like Justin Verlander? I can’t see how that’s even possible. Furthermore, we’re catching the 2011 American League Cy Young in his best possible setting: He’s at his finest in daytime games (2.11 ERA, 0.83 WHIP), and he’s always been better at home (1.72 ERA, 0.94 WHIP).What’s not to like? Verlander should keep up his end of the bargain, as he always does when it comes to unders, and all we need is my knowledge and feel for JA Happ to come through, which it usually does. The only losing outcome I fear is 6-2/7-1, but I think this one will ultimately settle in at 5-0/4-1. My best vision was for 6-1, actually.
Other 8/23 MLB Over/Unders I’m Taking:
Johnny Cueto vs Cole Hamels UNDER 7 - $29 for $25
**May Add More Over/Under(s) Throughout Day Leading Up To Gametime**
**Remember that if you have a question concerning an over/under, I will gladly assist you with it if I see it before the game starts, even the ones I don’t bet on, as I have at least a small vibe on every single over/under from studying this stuff several hours every single day and night**
2011 MLB O/U Record: 366-270-42, +$1,104
Probably one of the more frustrating 3-1 days (Not to mention winning my “Recommended Game” for the seventh straight time; continuing to win over 60-percent of those) someone could have, since that one “loss” was my best bet yesterday, and I was so on top of that game that I even predicted the *exact* score I would lose! Could not have been anymore 100-percent right with Mendoza vs Shields, and because of that “loss,” I made almost nothing yesterday despite my overall excellent performance. At the very least, Wednesday’s dominance pushed me to 38-26-5 (59.3%) this month, so hopefully it can continue through today’s promising shortened Thursday slate…
Toronto Blue Jays @ Detroit Tigers (Best Bet) - $88 for $75
JA Happ vs Justin Verlander
UNDER 7.5
It is very nice to see JA Happ, one of my top five favorite pitchers, not only rightfully get back into a Major League rotation, but to be thriving again. Call it bias if you want, since I’ve loved Mr. Happ ever since he was acquired by Houston in mid-2010, but this is someonewho is probably one of the most underrated starting pitchers in ALL of baseball, and that’s no exaggeration. Just take a look at his numbers, specifically his game log over the years, for yourself. Yes, his final ERA last year ended up at a very unspectacular 5.35, but if you remember, he was actually so off from his usual standards that he was sent down in early August 2011 (With a 6.26 ERA), before returning a few weeks later, leading him to make six starts the rest of the way - five of which registered as quality ones, allowing two runs or less in those five. The other one wasn’t even a horrible one, as he allowed four runs, which happens. The bottom line is that when Happ is kind of forced to be at the top of his game, he can absolutely dominant, as he was showing again at the end of last year. Throughout this season with Houston, he displayed shades of it, with about half of his total starts clocking in as quality efforts, but now he’s under the mindset where he has to perform, ever since coming over to Toronto, and thus, having to prove himself, especially after beginning his Blue Jay tenure in the bullpen (What a bad managerial decision that was; to even think of leaving JA Happ out of someone’s rotation is just absolutely ludicrous). Furthermore, I’ve been reading quotes recently from Happ exhibiting his excitement about being a starter again, something he absolutely prefers, so this is certainly a newfound opportunity he cannot afford to relinquish. Best of all, he’s coming off his best start as a Blue Jay, in which he had the mighty Texas Rangers lineup in the palm of his hand (!), holding them to one run on only two hits in six innings of work. Perhaps most importantly, in what has always been a major strength of his game, he struck out eight batters. Being matched up against one of the best aces in all of baseball this afternoon just might bring out another excellent statline from Happ, who looks forward to duels. He’s definitely in the right frame of mind at the current moment.
Wow, you’d think after writing all of that, it would be detailing the much-talked about Justin Verlander, but hey, my main strength is writing extensively about the under-the-radar pitchers, and the Toronto left-hander is certainly one of those, not to mention, as I said, one of my favorite pitchers in all of baseball. If you choose to tail this under, not only should you feel secure with my deep knowledge concerning Happ, but also because opposing him is arguably the best pitcher in all of the American League, and maybe all of baseball, that obviously being Verlander. I mean, what’s there not to like about him? He’s having another magnificent season (12-7, 2.53 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 180:45 K:BB ratio in 181 innings), and he’s about to square off with a team that has struggled significantly offensively over the past week-plus. In fact, the Blue Jays have scored just 13 runs in their past six runs, and have only exceeded the five-run plateau once their last ten. With their documented offensive problems lately, just how will they suddenly get it going against a stud ace like Justin Verlander? I can’t see how that’s even possible. Furthermore, we’re catching the 2011 American League Cy Young in his best possible setting: He’s at his finest in daytime games (2.11 ERA, 0.83 WHIP), and he’s always been better at home (1.72 ERA, 0.94 WHIP).What’s not to like? Verlander should keep up his end of the bargain, as he always does when it comes to unders, and all we need is my knowledge and feel for JA Happ to come through, which it usually does. The only losing outcome I fear is 6-2/7-1, but I think this one will ultimately settle in at 5-0/4-1. My best vision was for 6-1, actually.
Other 8/23 MLB Over/Unders I’m Taking:
Johnny Cueto vs Cole Hamels UNDER 7 - $29 for $25
**May Add More Over/Under(s) Throughout Day Leading Up To Gametime**
**Remember that if you have a question concerning an over/under, I will gladly assist you with it if I see it before the game starts, even the ones I don’t bet on, as I have at least a small vibe on every single over/under from studying this stuff several hours every single day and night**