Questionable Offensive Numbers in Baseball Betting Odds

In online betting circles, it’s tough to talk baseball these days without the dreaded “S” word coming up. For now, let’s call it “S” for, ahem, “suspicious.” As in suspiciously good offensive numbers that exploded out of nowhere. Let’s look at some of the biggest head-scratcher seasons in the power era. These guys posted monster totals—power numbers worthy of the Babe himself—only to regress to normal levels and fluster sportsbook bettors.

Luis Gonzalez’s 2001 season
(.325, 57 HR, 142 RBI)

Gonzo certainly strung together multiple All-Star seasons and made many bettors winners in MLB odds, but topping his next highest single-season homer total by 26 homers is fishy, isn’t it?

Brady Anderson’s 1996 season
(.297, 50 HR, 110 RBI)

The Baltimore leadoff man, whose next highest single-season total was less than half his 1996 number, may have the most famous “out-of-nowhere” single season numbers in major league history. His 50 home runs were more than Manny Ramirez or AlbertPujols have ever hit in one season. Hmmm…

Todd Hundley’s 1996 and 1997 seasons
(41 HR, 30 HR)

He had power, for sure, but did he really have Mets-single-season-homer-record power? The beefy catcher clubbed 41 homers in 1996 and 30 more the next season. His numbers then took a nose dive, much to the chagrin of those who bet on MLB odds . It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that he was named in the Mitchell Report.

Barry Bonds’ 2001 season
(.328, 73 HR, 137 RBI)

Bonds had plenty of monster years, of course, but his 73-homer season tops his next best total by 24. It stands not only as the single-season homer record, but as the pinnacle of “suspicious” seasons. Online betting fans probably shouldn’t bet on anyone beating 73 long flies any time soon.

Baseball winners all year long on OffshoreInsiders.com   

2009 Big East Tournament Odds: Pittsburgh, Louisville, and UConn the Favorites

The 2009 Big East Tournament Vegas odds are out. The big mystery was who would be tapped as the favorite: Pittsburgh, Louisville, or Connecticut? The answer is the Panthers, dubbed by Tom Murray of ScoresOddsPicks.com as the “Most talented team in the nation.” Pittsburgh is +175, while the team they twice dethroned as No. 1 in the nation UConn is +225.

Squeezing in between the two is Louisville at +200. The Cardinals were the regular season champs. Which team is most likely to spoil it for the Big 3? The oddsmakers have Villanova at +600. Syracuse, a team that likely already has clinched an at large bid is +1000.

For those who believe motivation is a positive factor, Providence is +2000 and is a team that must win several games in the tournament to play themselves in. Marquette at +1500 is likely in, but a first-round exit could be costly.

Bob Warner of the basketball betting blog Lines-Maker.com says that the Big East may have the best long shot of any conference insofar as winning the postseason tournament. “Georgetown has underachieved all year long but has the talent to get hot at the right time,” insists Warner. Bodog Life has the Hoyas at +3000 to win the Big East Tournament.

For the winning against the spread Big East Tournament picks check out the champions handicappers at OffshoreInsiders.com 

Big East Tournament, ACC Tournament Odds Set, Plus Monday Betting

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Kobe Bryant and the Lakers head north to Portland, and Eric Staal and the Hurricanes look for a victory versus the Rangers.

Odds posted on Big East, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Atlantic 10 Tournaments and more…

From BetUs Sportsbook to Sports Betting Sportsbook, more accurate than the Las Vegas odds, all of the major offshore sportsbooks have betting lines on the conference tournaments.

Probably the most anticipated betting odds were to win the 2009 Big East Tournament betting lines. Pittsburgh is +175, regular season champions Louisville at +200, and Connecticut at +225.

More conference odds to win their tournaments include Michigan State a prohibitive +120 to win the Big 19 followed by Purdue at +250; at +220 LSU tops Tennessee at +250 to win the SEC Championship; North Carolina is +120 in the Atlantic Coast Conference followed by hated rival Duke at +300.

Tom Murray of ScoresOddsPicks.com says Wake Forest at +600 is an outstanding dark horse to beat the ACC odds.

The Big 12 sees Kansas and Oklahoma as co-favorites at +150. Xavier is the runaway A-10 odds on favorite at +110. At +150 UCLA is followed in the Pac 10 by Washington +225. For complete odds including the MAC and Mountain West.

Top bets from March Madness sports handicappers…

The MasterLockLine has Kal Elner is without any question the top small college basketball and football handicapper ever. NCAAB Parlay of the Year George Mason/VCU, Niagara/Siena. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick  

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The Lakers will be on the road in Portland on Monday night for a west-coast matchup against the Trail Blazers. Los Angeles picked up their 50th win of the season last time out, getting past Minnesota 110-90 on Friday. That put the Lakers at 50-12 straight-up and 31-30-1 against-the-spread. The Blazers are also coming off a win over the Timberwolves, beating them 95-93 on Saturday night.

Atlanta will host New Orleans in one of five other games on the NBA’s schedule for Monday, with Chicago at Miami, Washington at Minnesota, Houston at Denver, and Orlando at Detroit. The Pistons fell 87-83 to the Hawks on Saturday, but they beat the Magic 93-85 when the two teams met back on February 27. Richard Hamilton had 31 points in that win, while Dwight Howard had 21 points.

The march toward Madness . . .

The Colonial Athletic, Metro Atlantic, Southern, Sun Belt, and Summit League conference tournaments all continue on Monday, but the most notable college hoops game on the docket is the championship game of the West Coast conference tourney. That game will feature the winners of Sunday’s semi-final matchups – St. Mary’s vs. Portland, and Gonzaga vs. Santa Clara. Both of those games ended late Sunday night, so check the books for Monday’s line and total.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The Hurricanes will continue their quest for an Eastern Conference playoff berth on Monday night when they play host to the Rangers. Carolina blasted the Lightning in their last game on Saturday, getting four goals from Eric Staal and another two from Tuomo Ruutu in a 9-3 victory. The Canes and Rangers last met on January 27, with New York picking up a slim 3-2 win as a -160 home favorite.

There are just two other games on the National Hockey League’s schedule for Monday night, with Vancouver at Los Angeles, and Toronto at Ottawa. The Leafs fell 4-1 to the Oilers on Saturday night, with former Sens starter Martin Gerber making just 17 saves in the loss. Gerber could be between the pipes against his old team on Monday; the Sens are coming off a 6-3 win over Buffalo on Saturday.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

The World Baseball Classic continues on Monday on several fronts, with Korea vs. Japan in Tokyo, Italy vs. Canada in Toronto, and Netherlands vs. Puerto Rico in San Juan. The Netherlands pulled off a huge upset on Saturday, holding off the powerful Dominican Republic team for a 3-2 victory. Canada almost scored an upset on Saturday as well, but they fell just short in a 6-5 loss to the United States. The second round gets going in both San Diego and Miami this weekend.

Lakers-Trail Blazers Odds Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Rose Garden.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Trail Blazers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Lakers rolled over the Timberwolves 110-90 at the STAPLES Center Friday night.
Los Angeles covered as a 15.5-point home favorite while the final score played under the 216-poin total.
The heavily favored Trail Blazers scored a last second basket to seal a close 95-93 win over the Timberwolves on Saturday. The Trail Blazers could not cover the 14-point spread, and the 188 points fell UNDER the posted total of 200.
Brandon Roy went for a game-high 31 points with four rebounds and six assists.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 50-12 SU, 31-30-1 ATS
Portland: 39-23 SU, 31-31 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 4-6
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a win are 8-2

Portland most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 6 games
LA Lakers are 15-3 SU in their last 18 games
LA Lakers are 14-4 SU in their last 18 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of the LA Lakers last 11 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Portland is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Portland is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Portland is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games when playing LA Lakers
Next up:
LA Lakers at Houston, Wednesday, March 11
Portland home to Dallas, Wednesday, March 11

Rockets-Nuggets Odds Preview

The Houston Rockets and the Denver Nuggets will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Pepsi Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Rockets defeated Memphis 93-83 as a 14-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (196).
Yao Ming scored 24 points to go along with 17 rebounds for Houston, while Luis Scola added 18 points and 14 rebounds in the win.
The Nuggets lost to Sacramento 114-106 as a 9-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (214.5).
Carmelo Anthony led Denver with 32 points and Chauncey Billups delivered 22 points and eight assists.
Current streak:
Houston has won 2 straight games.
Denver has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 41-23 SU, 30-33-1 ATS
Denver: 40-24 SU, 35-28-1 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing LA Lakers are 8-2
After playing Memphis are 8-2
After a win are 7-3

Denver most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Oklahoma City are 5-5
After playing Sacramento are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Houston is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston's last 10 games when playing on the road against Denver
Houston is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Denver
Houston is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Denver
Denver is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Denver's last 10 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver's last 9 games at home
Next up:
Houston home to LA Lakers, Wednesday, March 11
Denver home to Oklahoma City, Wednesday, March 11

Wizards-Timberwolves Lines Preview

The Washington Wizards and the Minnesota Timberwolves will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Target Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Timberwolves listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Wizards, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Wizards were crushed 119-103 by the Mavericks last time out, as 12-point underdogs. That game's 222 points sailed OVER the posted total of 198.5.
Antawn Jamison had 24 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
The Timberwolves were defeated 95-93 by the Trail Blazers last time out, as 14-point underdogs. That game's 188 points fell UNDER the posted total of 200.
Ryan Gomes netted a team-high 28 points and Randy Foye had 23 points in the loss.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 5 straight games.
Minnesota has lost 9 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 14-49 SU, 22-39-2 ATS
Minnesota: 18-44 SU, 27-34-1 ATS
Washington most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing New Orleans are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing Memphis are 4-6
After playing Portland are 2-8
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Washington's last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Minnesota's last 19 games at home
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Next up:
Washington home to New Orleans, Wednesday, March 11
Minnesota home to Memphis, Wednesday, March 11

Bulls-Heat Odds Preview

The Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Heat listed as 5-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Bulls out-gunned the Bucks 117-102 at the United Center Friday.
Chicago covered as a 6.5-point home favorite while the final score played over the 185.5-point total.
The Heat were defeated 99-89 by the Cavaliers last time out, as 9-point road underdogs. The night's 188 points fell UNDER the posted total of 192.
Dwyane Wade had 25 points with eight rebounds and 12 assists in the loss.
Current streak:
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 29-34 SU, 31-31-1 ATS
Miami: 33-29 SU, 29-32-1 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing Orlando are 5-5
After playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

Miami most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Cleveland are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games when playing on the road against Miami
Chicago is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Chicago's last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
Next up:
Chicago at Orlando, Wednesday, March 11
Miami home to Boston, Wednesday, March 11

Magic-Pistons Lines Preview

The Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Magic defeated Boston 86-79 as a 2-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (196.5).
Dwight Howard scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for Orlando, while Hedo Turkoglu added 16 points in the win.
The Pistons were defeated 87-83 by the Hawks last time out, as 2.5-point road underdogs. That game's combined 170 points fell UNDER the posted total of 184.
Rodney Stuckey had 19 points with eight rebounds and six assists, while Richard Hamilton scored a game-high 20 points in that loss.
Current streak:
Orlando has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Orlando: 46-16 SU, 39-22-1 ATS
Detroit: 31-30 SU, 25-36 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Monday are 10-0
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Boston are 8-2
After a win are 4-6

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing New York are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 8-2
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Orlando
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Orlando
Detroit is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Orlando home to Chicago, Wednesday, March 11
Detroit home to New York, Wednesday, March 11

Hornets-Hawks Odds Preview

The fans at Philips Arena will be treated to a game between the New Orleans Hornets and the Atlanta Hawks when they take their seats on Monday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Hornets listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Hornets outscored the Thunder by 14 points in the fourth quarter to come away with a 108-90 victory on Saturday. The Hornets covered the 13-point spread, and the 198 points made it OVER the posted total of 190.
Chris Paul had 21 points and six rebounds, while dishing out 13 assists to lead the way.
Al Horford went for a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds as the Hawks defeated the Pistons 87-83 on Saturday. The Hawks covered the slight 2.5-point spread, while the combined 170 points fell UNDER the posted total of 184.
Josh Smith netted a team-high 19 points, and Mike Bibby added 17 in that win.
Current streak:
New Orleans has won 7 straight games.
Team records:
New Orleans: 39-22 SU, 25-34-2 ATS
Atlanta: 35-28 SU, 33-30 ATS
New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 6-4
After playing Oklahoma City are 5-5
After a win are 8-2

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Utah are 3-7
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of New Orleans's last 10 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Atlanta's last 10 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Atlanta is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home
Atlanta is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Next up:
New Orleans at Washington, Wednesday, March 11
Atlanta home to Utah, Wednesday, March 11

South Alabama-Arkansas-Little Rock Lines Preview

The South Alabama Jaguars and the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Summit Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Team records:
South Alabama: 19-12 SU, 9-18-1 ATS
Arkansas-Little Rock: 23-7 SU, 14-14-1 ATS
South Alabama most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
After playing Troy are 7-2
After a win are 5-5

Arkansas-Little Rock most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
After playing Denver are 7-3
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
South Alabama is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
South Alabama is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Arkansas-Little Rock
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of South Alabama's last 6 games when playing Arkansas-Little Rock
Arkansas-Little Rock is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arkansas-Little Rock's last 6 games when playing South Alabama
Arkansas-Little Rock is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing South Alabama

Sports betting blog with sports handicapping picks from the best sports handicappers, pregame betting information, sports handicapping articles, links to live odds, free picks, sportsbook information and more. All pro gamblers go to this betting blog before placing a bet.