2012 MLB O/U Record: 357-327-47, -$1,513 (Was making much bigger bets earlier in the year, 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
Surprisingly, as up and down as Sundays have treated me this year, I capped off the final Sunday of the season with an unexpected (Since my mind is fully focused on football betting) 3-0 sweep, including yet another brilliant bold call with the great Josh Collmenter, who pumped out yet another excellent start, proving once again how Kirk Gibson, despite unexpectedly taking Arizona to the postseason last year, is one of the most overrated managers in recent memory (Which I actually said a couple of years ago when he wasn’t even playing the correct batter/pitcher matchups, and I noticed this not even being any sort of Diamondbacks fan). In any case… now it’s the final Monday, and diehard readers/tailors of my reading/betting might understand the significance of this, at least to The Cat. Last year, Mondays were by far my best and most consistent day (68-35-6!), not to mention in years’ past AND in other sports, and for newer readers, please don’t insult me and think I’m making that number up, as everything I’ve put on here - on a daily basis, by the way, in which I have not missed a single day this ENTIRE six-plus-month season - is 100-percent truthful. I have nothing to gain so obviously I wouldn’t just make that up out of the blue, as I mentioned it early on in April as well, but in 2012, Mondays actually have treated me more on the average side, which in actuality, might be the biggest disappointment personally in this entire year. I’ve stressed countless times this year how *days of the week* CAN indeed have an impact on a starting pitching matchup (Ex. Took the UNDER in Santana vs Holland when it was a Saturday FOX matchup this pas tweekend, and it got rained out. Took the OVER in the Sunday night version of it last night, which I won… in the third inning. Never underestimate the impact the day of the week can have on a pitching matchup!), and hopefully my old incredible strength with Monday night over/unders will re-emerge on this specific night, that being the final Monday night of the season. Let’s examine it one more time…
Atlanta Braves @ Pittsburgh Pirates (Best Bet) - $55 for $50
Paul Maholm vs Jeff Locke
UNDER 8
It’s arrogant to think a pitching matchup was made designed just for me, a claim I sarcastically made numerous times this year (Ex. Bud Norris vs James McDonald on a Friday night several months ago. Come on, though, that’s my two favorite pitchers in a matchup between my two most-bet-on teams, in which I easily won the under, 1-0), as obviously that’s not the case, but given my history with both pitchers, it might seem like it. First there is Paul Maholm, whom I have a brilliant record with this year, which I first anticipated way back in April on a Friday, when I boldly said he could beat Roy Halladay (On the road!) as a member of the Cubs, which he did - andthis was when Halladay was at the top of his game, remember. The fact is Maholmhas been one of my favorite pitchers over the past few years, as I’ve been on record of saying a bunch of times, which also includes the statement I made really early on in noting that he was a “true underrated unders machine.” That sentiment has continued all throughout 2012, most recently in his time with the Braves since being acquired around the trade deadline (Seems like yesterday, doesn’t it?), and I expect his final start this year to be a nice reflection of that. Interestingly, it involves him making yet another return to his old stomping grounds in Pittsburgh, where he has actually enjoyed much success as a member of the visiting team. His first two returns were when he was with Chicago, and the result was a combined three runs allowed in 13 innings. Maholm’s most recent assignment at PNC Park was especially notable, as he held the Bucs to one run in eight innings, while striking out seven. What else could you ask for? This being his last start of the regular season, and in Pittsburgh no less, you have to expect Maholm would produce much of the same, or at least similar to his other output against his old team, and that could definitely ring true given the Pirates’ year-long struggles against left-handed pitching (Except Andrew McCutchen, who has been killing southpaws this entire season). Maholm will want to end it right, especially since he’s about to enter uninhabited territory… the postseason. This is the last start you can basically expect Maholm at his norm, since a start in the playoffs (If they get past the “Play-In” Wild Card game) for him will most likely be an unknown, unpredictable variable.
And then there is Jeff Locke, who has not lived up to expectations in his short sample size as a big-leaguer. Yes, he’s had tremendous success in the minor leagues, where I believe he was even named their Minor League Pitcher of the Year (I don’t need to look this stuff up. I know Jeff Locke like the back of my hand). However, at the big-league level, Locke has had mixed results, mostly on the down side, like in his last start against the Mets when he failed to reach five innings (Although I still won the under thanks to another guy I discovered in the beginning of the year, Jeremy Hefner). In fact, he’s failed to reach five innings a bunch of times in his Major League starts dating back to last year. For those who argue this point, I counterpoint with the following sentiment: The majority of those were on the road. When he’s pitching in front of Pittsburgh faithful, Locke is, well, almost a “lock” to be efficient and effective. The most recent example of that is proof, when he shut down the solid Cubs’ offense to two runs over six innings, while walking none and striking out six. That’s a big part about Locke’s game, too - the strikeout. Even when he’s had his “off” starts, Locke has proven he can strike out guys at a much higher-than-average rate, and with this being his last start of the season, not to mention a final showcase for him to prove he should start at the big-league level next year on Opening Day, I think he’ll rear back more than usual in trying to accomplish that. Luckily for him, as potent as the Braves’ offense can be, they struggle mightily against left-handed pitching, and that is something that can definitely play into Locke’s advantage. There is very, very little doubt in my mind that Locke can succeed as a Major League starter -I KNOW he will in due time. Now it’s time for him to show exactly why, and he absolutely has the potential to start showing why tonight at home.
Other 10/1 MLB Over/Under Bets I’m Taking:
Hector Santiago vs Corey Kluber OVER 8.5 - $28 for $25
Last start of the year for Corey Kluber so you know I’m going over. Hector Santiago is no prize either, so as long as these two line-ups click like they’re supposed to against inferior pitching talent, this contest should at least be 5-4, and that’ll do it for us. At the end of the day, this mostly is about Corey Kluber getting hit. As I’ve stressed since his very first Major League start this year, Kluber simply: Is. Not.Good. Period. And I’m rarely down on starting pitchers like that.
Esmerling Vasquez vs Aaron Laffey OVER 9 - $22 for $20
As I’ve said before, I’ve loved Esmerling Vasquez ever since his stint as a mediocre middle reliever in theArizona organization, including after the time he was docked with the infamous Walk-Off Balk from 2010 (Which, apparently, nobody except me remembers, since it’s never brought up as one of the more dubious and laughable moments in baseball history). That being said, as much as I’ve loved him these past few years, he is not a Major League starter, and he’s proven that throughout his audition with Minnesota. The tricky thing about this bet, however, is that Aaron Laffey is very underrated and HAS proven he can be a 30-start guy in someone’s pitching rotation for an entire season (Which I also said he proved years ago in Cleveland). Small bet only.
Note: Myb iggest NFL over/under, or any NFL bet this season for that matter, is taking place TONIGHT. Make sure you check out my NFL thread, where I am a remarkable 30-20-2 (Not including two teaser bets that should finish off successfully tonight in the Monday night game), which is 60-percent, which should relatively put me at an elite level compared to everyone else in the country. So check it out.
**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 every single day and night**
2011 MLB O/U Record: 366-270-42, +$1,104
Surprisingly, as up and down as Sundays have treated me this year, I capped off the final Sunday of the season with an unexpected (Since my mind is fully focused on football betting) 3-0 sweep, including yet another brilliant bold call with the great Josh Collmenter, who pumped out yet another excellent start, proving once again how Kirk Gibson, despite unexpectedly taking Arizona to the postseason last year, is one of the most overrated managers in recent memory (Which I actually said a couple of years ago when he wasn’t even playing the correct batter/pitcher matchups, and I noticed this not even being any sort of Diamondbacks fan). In any case… now it’s the final Monday, and diehard readers/tailors of my reading/betting might understand the significance of this, at least to The Cat. Last year, Mondays were by far my best and most consistent day (68-35-6!), not to mention in years’ past AND in other sports, and for newer readers, please don’t insult me and think I’m making that number up, as everything I’ve put on here - on a daily basis, by the way, in which I have not missed a single day this ENTIRE six-plus-month season - is 100-percent truthful. I have nothing to gain so obviously I wouldn’t just make that up out of the blue, as I mentioned it early on in April as well, but in 2012, Mondays actually have treated me more on the average side, which in actuality, might be the biggest disappointment personally in this entire year. I’ve stressed countless times this year how *days of the week* CAN indeed have an impact on a starting pitching matchup (Ex. Took the UNDER in Santana vs Holland when it was a Saturday FOX matchup this pas tweekend, and it got rained out. Took the OVER in the Sunday night version of it last night, which I won… in the third inning. Never underestimate the impact the day of the week can have on a pitching matchup!), and hopefully my old incredible strength with Monday night over/unders will re-emerge on this specific night, that being the final Monday night of the season. Let’s examine it one more time…
Atlanta Braves @ Pittsburgh Pirates (Best Bet) - $55 for $50
Paul Maholm vs Jeff Locke
UNDER 8
It’s arrogant to think a pitching matchup was made designed just for me, a claim I sarcastically made numerous times this year (Ex. Bud Norris vs James McDonald on a Friday night several months ago. Come on, though, that’s my two favorite pitchers in a matchup between my two most-bet-on teams, in which I easily won the under, 1-0), as obviously that’s not the case, but given my history with both pitchers, it might seem like it. First there is Paul Maholm, whom I have a brilliant record with this year, which I first anticipated way back in April on a Friday, when I boldly said he could beat Roy Halladay (On the road!) as a member of the Cubs, which he did - andthis was when Halladay was at the top of his game, remember. The fact is Maholmhas been one of my favorite pitchers over the past few years, as I’ve been on record of saying a bunch of times, which also includes the statement I made really early on in noting that he was a “true underrated unders machine.” That sentiment has continued all throughout 2012, most recently in his time with the Braves since being acquired around the trade deadline (Seems like yesterday, doesn’t it?), and I expect his final start this year to be a nice reflection of that. Interestingly, it involves him making yet another return to his old stomping grounds in Pittsburgh, where he has actually enjoyed much success as a member of the visiting team. His first two returns were when he was with Chicago, and the result was a combined three runs allowed in 13 innings. Maholm’s most recent assignment at PNC Park was especially notable, as he held the Bucs to one run in eight innings, while striking out seven. What else could you ask for? This being his last start of the regular season, and in Pittsburgh no less, you have to expect Maholm would produce much of the same, or at least similar to his other output against his old team, and that could definitely ring true given the Pirates’ year-long struggles against left-handed pitching (Except Andrew McCutchen, who has been killing southpaws this entire season). Maholm will want to end it right, especially since he’s about to enter uninhabited territory… the postseason. This is the last start you can basically expect Maholm at his norm, since a start in the playoffs (If they get past the “Play-In” Wild Card game) for him will most likely be an unknown, unpredictable variable.
And then there is Jeff Locke, who has not lived up to expectations in his short sample size as a big-leaguer. Yes, he’s had tremendous success in the minor leagues, where I believe he was even named their Minor League Pitcher of the Year (I don’t need to look this stuff up. I know Jeff Locke like the back of my hand). However, at the big-league level, Locke has had mixed results, mostly on the down side, like in his last start against the Mets when he failed to reach five innings (Although I still won the under thanks to another guy I discovered in the beginning of the year, Jeremy Hefner). In fact, he’s failed to reach five innings a bunch of times in his Major League starts dating back to last year. For those who argue this point, I counterpoint with the following sentiment: The majority of those were on the road. When he’s pitching in front of Pittsburgh faithful, Locke is, well, almost a “lock” to be efficient and effective. The most recent example of that is proof, when he shut down the solid Cubs’ offense to two runs over six innings, while walking none and striking out six. That’s a big part about Locke’s game, too - the strikeout. Even when he’s had his “off” starts, Locke has proven he can strike out guys at a much higher-than-average rate, and with this being his last start of the season, not to mention a final showcase for him to prove he should start at the big-league level next year on Opening Day, I think he’ll rear back more than usual in trying to accomplish that. Luckily for him, as potent as the Braves’ offense can be, they struggle mightily against left-handed pitching, and that is something that can definitely play into Locke’s advantage. There is very, very little doubt in my mind that Locke can succeed as a Major League starter -I KNOW he will in due time. Now it’s time for him to show exactly why, and he absolutely has the potential to start showing why tonight at home.
Other 10/1 MLB Over/Under Bets I’m Taking:
Hector Santiago vs Corey Kluber OVER 8.5 - $28 for $25
Last start of the year for Corey Kluber so you know I’m going over. Hector Santiago is no prize either, so as long as these two line-ups click like they’re supposed to against inferior pitching talent, this contest should at least be 5-4, and that’ll do it for us. At the end of the day, this mostly is about Corey Kluber getting hit. As I’ve stressed since his very first Major League start this year, Kluber simply: Is. Not.Good. Period. And I’m rarely down on starting pitchers like that.
Esmerling Vasquez vs Aaron Laffey OVER 9 - $22 for $20
As I’ve said before, I’ve loved Esmerling Vasquez ever since his stint as a mediocre middle reliever in theArizona organization, including after the time he was docked with the infamous Walk-Off Balk from 2010 (Which, apparently, nobody except me remembers, since it’s never brought up as one of the more dubious and laughable moments in baseball history). That being said, as much as I’ve loved him these past few years, he is not a Major League starter, and he’s proven that throughout his audition with Minnesota. The tricky thing about this bet, however, is that Aaron Laffey is very underrated and HAS proven he can be a 30-start guy in someone’s pitching rotation for an entire season (Which I also said he proved years ago in Cleveland). Small bet only.
Note: Myb iggest NFL over/under, or any NFL bet this season for that matter, is taking place TONIGHT. Make sure you check out my NFL thread, where I am a remarkable 30-20-2 (Not including two teaser bets that should finish off successfully tonight in the Monday night game), which is 60-percent, which should relatively put me at an elite level compared to everyone else in the country. So check it out.
**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 every single day and night**
