I have been given a lot of nicknames over the years, (some flattering, some not so much) but I’ve been hesitant to adopt them because I believe when it comes to sports betting it’s important to stay humble and grounded. However one that has stuck with me is “The Picasso of Parlays”. It sounds silly but sometimes I truly do feel like an artist with some of these parlays I am able to come up with. While I may be perceived by some as a premiere parlay player it’s important to keep in mind that these are still long shots and you should only invest money that you are prepared to lose. Think of them like lotto tickets but a lot more entertaining. I will show you guys my exact ticket structures but the beauty of this thread is you can pick and choose what you want to include on your ticket. It’s up to you. You don’t even have to use my picks in parlays. You can bet them straight if you want or heck you could even fade them if you disagree. These are all ‘First 5 Innings’ plays meaning the score after 5 innings is completed is the score that will determine our results. This type of wager is widely available. For those new to baseball betting think of it like betting the first half of a football game. They are also called ‘minis’ by my good friend Bruno Bets.
ALL PLAYS ARE FIRST 5 INNINGS
Ticket Structure #1
‘Bookie Buster Special” (every game on the card) (8 Teams) PAYS: 101 to 1
1. #955 YANKEES/ORIOLES OVER 4 -120 (First 5 Innings) (Jimenez vs Kuroda)
It’s opening day in the Bronx with all the pomp and circumstance that accompanies it. Add to the circus the fact that it’s Derek Jeter’s last home opener and we will probably see a massive delay while the Yankees pay tribute to themselves (their favorite pastime). Ball players, especially pitchers are creatures of habit so I look for the likely delay to throw them off their pre-game routines. Plus Jimenez didn’t look sharp this spring or in his first start and it’s possible Kuroda might have some jitters starting the home opener.
2. #957 LA ANGELS –150 (First 5 Innings) (Wilson vs Cosart)
The Astros finally had a big day with the bats and were able to take down the Angels on Sunday. A big budget team like the Angels know it would be unacceptable to drop two in a row to the lowly Astros so I think we will see a focused effort from them. Josh Hamilton seems to be hitting well for LA which is a good sign and it looks like Dexter Fowler will miss the game for Houston due to an illness. I was impressed by CJ Wilson this spring so I’m not going to read too much into his shaky start to the season.
3. #959 OAKLAND A’S – 143 (First 5 Innings) (Kazmir vs Correia)
Between spring training and starting the season on the road the Twins haven’t been home in a long time. I think it makes sense to fade them here as they attempt to get their lives in order having returned to Minnesota on Sunday night. Plus while it has recently been very cold in Minnesota the forecast Monday calls for a relatively balmy high of 57 degrees which won’t bother Oakland the same way a snowstorm would.
4. #953 REDS/CARDINALS OVER 3.5, +110 (First 5 Innings) (Cingrani vs Wacha)
These two pitchers faced each other just 5 days ago and both threw gems, neither allowing a run. I think having seen each pitcher so recently will be an advantage for both offenses as they make the necessary adjustments. Plus these are two teams capable of plating runs and the opening day ceremonies at Busch stadium might throw off the pitchers’ routines.
5. #962 RED SOX –167 (First 5 Innings) (Scheppers vs Lackey)
The Sox have been struggling with the sticks and have lost 3 in a row. I think we get a focused effort from them in this one. Their 3 game series vs Milwaukee was also at home so they won’t have to travel. Meanwhile from the quotes I have been reading I don’t think Texas’ starting pitcher Scheppers has mentally recovered from his poor outing to start the season against the Phillies.
6. #966 INDIANS –142 (First 5 Innings) (Erlin vs Kluber)
The Indians are salty after losing two in a row at home against the Twins. They get to stay home though and welcome the Padres on Monday. The Indians will have an inherent advantage considering their roster is constructed with a DH in mind. Kluber had a poor performance to start the season but I was reading the Indians blogs and they were saying his velocity was fine so I’m not overly concerned. The Padres send Robbie Erlin to the hill for the first time this season. Erlin was supposed to start Tuesday but Bud Black pushed his start up a day so he could give an extra day off to another pitcher. This shuffling of the schedule could possibly hurt Erlin who doesn’t have a lot of major league experience.
7. #964 ROYALS -105 (First 5 Innings) (Moore vs Vargas)
I was reading a Baseball Prospectus article talking about how Matt Moore was having trouble throwing strikes this spring and despite a decent performance to start the season I think when all is said and done he will be a disappointment for the Rays. (the article said this could definitely be possible). Meanwhile Vargas has looked sharp. The Rays finally have to play a road game after starting the season with 7 at home. Meanwhile the Royals don’t have to travel. I think it makes sense to take the home dog here.
8. #968 ROCKIES –130 (FIRST 5 INNINGS) (Paulino vs Lyles)
The Rockies are frustrated after hitting into 5 double plays in their loss at home on Sunday. Now the White Sox come to town via Kansas City. I actually don’t hate Jordan Lyles as much as most do and I think he will surprise some people after looking sharp this spring, despite a shaky start to open the season against Miami. Meanwhile Rockies’ starter Felipe Paulino pitched 18 games for the Rockies in 2011 so it’s possible they might be able to put together a solid game plan in terms of how to attack him.
TICKET STRUCTURE #2
‘Afternoon Delight’ (All the day games) (4 games) PAYS: 9.9 to 1
1. #955 YANKEES/ORIOLES OVER 4, -120 (First 5 Innings) (Jimenez vs Kuroda)
2. #957 LA ANGELS –150 (First 5 Innings) (Wilson vs Cosart)
3. #959 OAKLAND A’S – 143 (First 5 Innings) (Kazmir vs Correia)
4. #953 REDS/CARDINALS OVER 3.5, +110 (First 5 Innings) (Cingrani vs Wacha)
TICKET STRUCTURE #3
‘They Only Come Out At Night’ (All the night games) (4 games) PAYS: 8.4 to 1
1. #962 RED SOX –167 (First 5 Innings) (Scheppers vs Lackey)
2. #966 INDIANS –142 (First 5 Innings) (Erlin vs Kluber)
3. #964 ROYALS -105 (First 5 Innings) (Moore vs Vargas)
4. #968 ROCKIES –130 (FIRST 5 INNINGS) (Paulino vs Lyles)
As always fellas, make sure to shine bright!