Baseball

MLB Picks Contest: Yankees Blue Jays Standing Update ($100 Prize)

MLB Picks Contest, $100 Prize: Yankees Blue Jays Standings Update

The Blue Jays are defending home field here and first in the AL East as the Yankees have really stumbled in this series. They got close, but they’re fading a bit and the lineup is ice cold. Hopefully my team can turn it around. Until then, here is a standings update for the contest. Remember, first to ten wins takes the $100 prize and all the glory that comes with being a Z-Code Facebook champion! haha.

Six Wins

Duane Atkinson

Five Wins

Alex Dionne  ... 

MLB Picks: Cincinnati Reds Vs Toronto Blue Jays

MLB Picks: Toronto Blue Jays at Cincinnati Reds

Surprised and disappointed by the eight-run collapse of the Cincinnati Reds in Game One, but I expect Game Two to go better. The computer has the same lukewarm feelings as it did in Game One, I still like the pitching matchup, and I sleep easy knowing Cueto is waiting for game three.

For me, Reds pitching combined with the cold bats of the Jays coming into this series makes a progression look good. The value in the line here makes it look great, and I think it’s best to continue with a  ... 

MLB Picks: Houston Astros at Tampa Bay Rays Progression

MLB Picks: Houston Astros at Tampa Bay Rays

I think the Rays have a pitching edge throughout this entire series, and they host one of the weakest teams in baseball. I recognize that a loss here in a progression likely means a $400 bet on game two with Price, but I’m confident they pull through.

The Astros have stumbled a bit lately and talk of them turning a corner seems to have been short lived. The pitching has faltered a bit, and they’re back on the road. I don’t think the worst team in baseball can take out these three pitchers  ... 

MLB Picks: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

MLB Picks: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Initially, we avoided this game because I didn’t like the way the pitching match ups shook up.  I thought Atlanta was the much better team, but didn’t really see an edge in a progression-style wager in a series like this.  These are divisional rivals, and the Braves lineup never amazes me.  I think this is a dangerous series, and still a dangerous game, but I like the way this particular matchup shapes up after all the chaos of the first two games, and I expect this edge to carry through.

The Braves have  ... 

MLB Picks: Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates

MLB Picks: Cincinnati Reds Vs Pittsburgh Pirates

This is just a simple bet on a pitcher here for me. I think that Cueto is having a phenomenal year and he’s an ace and one of the best pitchers in baseball. He goes against a streaky lineup and there’s a good chance he shuts them down completely. The Reds may be the better team, but it’s close. What isn’t close is this distinct pitching edge and there’s some serious value in the line for a low confidence wager.

My worry is that there is not a strong signal from the computer  ... 

MLB Picks: LA Angels at Cleveland Indians

MLB Picks: LA Angels at Cleveland Indians, flat bet opportunity

I think the Angels are the better team, though they’re cold.  The Indians have won two in a row and looked good with pitching edges to close out their last series, but I think this small element of momentum can be explained away.  I’m on the Angels here, on the road, for the value in the line.

The Angels are the much bigger name and they bring their ace to a game that they would really like to stop the bleeding in.  I think they have the deeper lineup for sure, and while I respect the potential of Bauer, I find Weaver to be a proven ace with a long track record of consistent pitching, even on the road.

I look for Weaver to control this game, and at -110 there’s too much value to ignore.  Small bet for me here.

Angels 6 – Indians 3

MLB Picks: Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox Progression Opportunity

MLB Picks: Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox progression opportunity

There is great value here after a loss in Game One. The Tigers have the face of their rotation going and look to bounce back from a sloppy loss. They’re the better team and this line isn’t too bad. I like them here.

In my view, we’ve got a statistical edge here expecting the White Sox to not be able to sweep a team as deep and talented as the Tigers. Detroit has another pitching edge in this game, and I think they should be able to rally.

The computer doesn’t  ... 

Great day!

Nedyak, MLB Line reversals,  Mark D ABC system, Delta trend, Cyril Cherries, and other systems:

MLB Picks: Pittsburgh Pirates at LA Dodgers

MLB Picks: Pittsburgh Pirates at LA Dodgers

This game shapes up as a system pick for two reasons. First, I don’t think the Pirates can complete a four-game sweep against the LA Dodgers in Los Angeles in general. Second, I think the Dodgers are the better team and are in position with two of their best three pitchers going to close out this series. Against relative mediocrity, that’s a big edge with all things considered.

There’s value in the line and I think this is a good spot for an AB Doubler. The Dodgers should be able to turn things  ... 

MLB Picks: LA Angels at Seattle Mariners

MLB Picks: LA Angels at Seattle Mariners

I think the Angels are one of the greatest anomalies of our time. They have a great coach, an expensive lineup, a solid rotation, and what is supposed to be a decent bullpen. They still keep finding a way to lose games and miss the playoffs.

Of their expensive roster full of failures, the only players I really trust is Weaver. He takes the mound against a weak lineup on the road with some value in the line. I like this game, though I hate these teams and never seem to have  ... 

MLB Picks: New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

MLB Picks: New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

Two plays in one here, as I like the Yankees in an ABC progression and the under in this game. I think the way New York is hitting, the under nine line looks good, expecting Kuroda to bounce back here. If not, we have Tanaka in a C bet if it gets that far, but statistically, even on the road, what are the odds the Yanks get swept here?

I think we have a nice statistical edge worth pursuing here. We start with a low confidence A bet, and chase through  ... 

MLB Picks: Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals

MLB Picks: Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals

This is a nice opportunity for a progression, though typically we like to save our aces for later in the series. We lead with Wainwright in the A bet and will chase with Wacha and Lynn if it comes to it.

The Dbacks are not very good on the road and the Cardinals are one of the most consistent teams in baseball. That’s good enough for me, despite limited line value and a tricky pitching matchup or two.

The computer disagrees and finds no value in this series. As such, we temper  ... 

MLB Picks: LA Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks, Progression

MLB Picks: LA Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks, Progression Opportunity

I don’t think any teams in baseball can beat the one-two punch of Zach Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. On the road, this line is dripping with value, and with a little computer support, I like a progression starting Friday in Arizona.

Greinke has been one of the most consistent pitchers this year, while the Dodgers have fended off sweeps with the best teams in baseball. The lineup can be a little streaky, so this ABC opportunity is certainly not without risk, but the opportunity to bankroll a quick and easy win  ... 

MLB and NHL Playoffs Picks Contest: New York Yankees Vs NY Mets

NHL and MLB Picks Contest Standings Update Round Five: New York Yankees Vs New York Mets

Say hello to your new leader, folks. Izabela Janochowska slides into sole possession of first place by picking the New York Mets to upset the New York Yankees in the Bronx in Game Two of the Subway Series. Don’t forget to follow both pages!

Four Wins:

Izabela Janochowska

Three Wins:

Tommy Lemieux  ...