CROWNE CLUB RITES OF SPRING BEGIN FREE

There is a great deal to be said for waiting until the season develops before making an investment in any sport. 

Those who say that the lines are weak at the very start of the season are absolutely correct.  What they fail to mention is that the lines are weak because there is no true statistical basis for a play, and therefore the investor's choices are also at their weakest.

The degree to which a pitcher's abilities can differ from season to season can be quite amazing.  Until you've seen each pitcher throw more than 9 innings against more than just one team, betting selections are, in my opinion, little more than a guessing game. 

For that reason, I have not had any baseball selections until today.  But I do have a play on a game that qualifies for Sunday.  I'm going to get my season going with a free pick.. 

In the game between the White Sox and Seattle, I'm going with:

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (Danks) -116 over Seattle (Millwood)

The White Sox beat Seattle in the first two games of the series and will make it three this afternoon.  Millwood has not started the season well, with a 6.3 ERA and allowing 6 runs per 9 in the 10 innings he's worked so far.  Danks has a passable 4.82 ERA and has allowed just 4 runs per 9 innings.  In the all-important category of hits and walks per 9 innings, Millwood has allowed a poor 15.3, compared to an average 12.1 for Danks.

Danks has not been a world beater, but he is better than Millwood.  Danks will be helped by the fact that the Mariners have hit only .192 against lefties at home, while the Sox have hit a respectable .250 vs. righties on the road. 

We'll play $116 to win $100 on the White Sox based on an average $100 per game player.  Adjust your own play accordingly, and remember that money management is particularly important when betting baseball.

You can get all my selections everyday starting tomorrow by clicking on the "Best Bets" link next to my name below