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Biography

Oskeim Sports is an award-winning sports handicapping service which has consistently outperformed the stock market since 2007.

Active since: 2007

Location: Boston, MA

Oskeim Sports Consulting, LLC (OSC) is an internationally-recognized sports handicapping service which provides sports bettors with an unparalleled return on investment. Its lead handicapper and the firm’s CEO, Jeffrey Keim, graduated magna cum laude from Elon College and earned his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Jeff developed a successful law practice at a private law firm in Connecticut, where he practiced for seven years before founding Oskeim Sports in 2007.

Jeff’s tireless work ethic and analytical skills, which allowed him to develop a successful law practice, remain key to the success of OSC. Jeff’s proprietary research utilizes advanced analytics, computer algorithms, math models and one of the most extensive technical databases in the handicapping industry. Oskeim Sports has been widely recognized as one of the most successful and transparent handicapping services in the industry, and it publishes its selections contemporaneously in a Pick Archive.

Jeff and his team provide unmatched profitability and return on investment on behalf of their clients, and have consistently outperformed the investment industry since 2007. Since establishing Oskeim Sports Consulting, LLC in 2007, Jeff has received 32 distinguished awards from The Sports Monitor of Oklahoma, including five #1 titles.

Some highlights:

2019 Top 5 College Basketball Regular Season at Handicappers Watchdog (Win Percentage, Units Won & Return on Investment)

2019 #1-ranked NFL service at Handicappers Watchdog (Win Percentage & Return on Investment)

2019 #1-ranked MLB service at Handicappers Watchdog (Win Percentage)

2019 Top 5 College Football Regular Season at Handicappers Watchdog

2017 Top 10 NFL Regular Season at Handicappers Watchdog

2017 Top 5 College Bowl Games at The Sports Monitor of Oklahoma

2017 Top 5 College Bowl Games at Sports Watch Monitor

2017 Top 5 College Bowl Games at Handicappers Watchdog

2017 Top 5 College Football at Handicappers Watchdog (Win %, Units Won & ROI)

2017 Top 5 NFL Preseason at The Sports Monitor of Oklahoma

2016 #1-ranked service at Handicappers Watchdog for Return on Investment (all sports)

2016 #1-ranked service at Handicappers Watchdog for Net Profit (all sports)

2016 #1 All Sports Handicapper for Return on Investment at Handicappers Watchdog (all of 2016)

2016 #1 for Most Units Won All Sports Handicapper at Handicappers Watchdog (all of 2016)

2016 Top 10 NFL Regular Season at The Sports Monitor of Oklahoma

2016 Top 10 NFL Regular Season at Handicappers Watchdog

2016 Top 5 College Bowl Games at Handicappers Watchdog

2016 Top 5 College Football Regular Season at Handicappers Watchdog

2015 Top 5 Major League Baseball at Handicappers Watchdog

2015 Top 15 MLB Handicapper at The Sports Monitor of Oklahoma

2015 Top 5 NFL at Handicappers Watchdog (60-40, 60%)

2015 Top 5 NCAA Football at Handicappers Watchdog (77-51, 60.2%)

2015 Top 10 March Madness

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2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Who Drafts Cam Ward?

Friday, Feb 28, 2025

Jeff Keim explores the 2025 NFL draft board and discusses the needs of various teams. This year’s NFL draft is loaded with talent at every position, but which prospects will be taken in the first round of the NFL draft? First-Round Draft Prospects At the NFL Scouting Combine, hundreds of prospects hope to increase their draft status with impressive workouts and interviews in Indianapolis. However, one week in Indiana won’t determine someone’s fate in such an expansive class. Running backs and edge defenders dominate the projected NFL draft board, providing evaluators with ample opportunities to find future starters early in the draft process. The Washington Commanders need additional pass rushers, and Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart possesses excellent closing speed and lateral quickness. Stewart flashed his ability to sack quarterbacks as an inside and outside linebacker in 2024, and his versatility should propel him early into the first round. The Arizona Cardinals are another potential home for Stewart as the Cardinals finished last season ranked 28th in the league in pass rush win rate at 33%. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rush ranked 13th in pressure rate (31.9%) last season but needs depth off the edge as their top two pass rushers – Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea – play inside. James Pearce Jr. has a quick first step and recorded 7.5 sacks last season. Many scouts believe Pearce possesses the highest upside among edge rushers in this year’s NFL Draft. The Giants Should Draft Cam Ward Many teams need an answer at quarterback this year, but the free agency market nor the draft offers many promising options. However, there are some viable candidates for teams in need of a quality quarterback. The two teams in most need of an upgrade at quarterback this offseason are the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders, Miami quarterback Cam Ward threw for the most touchdown passes (39) and finished with the second-most passing yards (4,313) in the FBS. The Giants finished 28th in QBR (44.9) and managed only two more touchdown passes (15) than interceptions (13). The Pittsburgh Steelers should consider adding another young signal-caller in this year's draft to ensure sufficient competition and depth at quarterback. Jaxson Dart’s delivery and efficient footwork would work well in Pittsburgh’s run-heavy system. Over the past two seasons, Dart had 7,633 passing yards, 51 touchdown throws, and 11 interceptions. He’s a capable thrower outside the pocket and on the run.Kyle McCord spent 2021 to 2023 with Ohio State before transferring to Syracuse in 2024. McCord’s career-high 4,779 passing yards and 34 touchdowns have positioned him to jump into the top five quarterback prospects with a strong Combine performance. The Broncos Should Draft Ashton Jeanty Last season, the Denver Broncos ran screen passes frequently and needed a receiver who could stretch the field on such plays while providing yards after the catch. Luther Burden III excelled at both tasks, leading Power Four wide-receivers in both receptions and receiving yards for screen passes last season. However, the Broncos tied for 20th in yards per rush (4.1) last season, and Javonte Williams is a free agent. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty makes perfect sense operating behind Denver’s offensive line, which ranked first in run block win rate in 2024. Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards this past season, and his speed and power make him a Pro Bowl-level player. Which Teams Need a Tight End? The 2025 draft may not boast many all-pro tight ends, but several players could still help teams at this position. Harold Fannin of Bowling Green is an impressive athlete with excellent run-after-the-catch skills but does not possess the prototypical size for a tight end. Fannin must show that his speed and movement abilities can compete at an elite level against more formidable competition in the NFL. There is no question that his speed would be an asset on several teams. Gunnar Helm from Texas boasts sticky hands, an expansive catch radius and the ability to work down the seams of defenses. Although his blocking needs work, Helms has all the tools necessary to be an NFL starter. Tyler Warren can make some tough catches and is one of this class’s most dangerous run-after-catch players. Warren forced 21 missed tackles on catches this past season and would be an asset for the Indianapolis Colts. Michigan tight end Colston Loveland is an elite route runner with the catch radius to come down with contested balls. Loveland set a career-high with 56 catches this past season and would make an excellent fit in Los Angeles under former head coach Jim Harbaugh.

College Basketball Takes Center Stage

Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025

The NFL offseason has officially begun following the Philadelphia Eagles' dominating win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. With Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft scheduled for April 24, men's college basketball takes center stage. Debates regarding quad one wins, nonconference schedule strengths, and the ever-controversial "tournament bubble" teams will undoubtedly increase in frequency and passion. This week's Bracket Watch highlights some of the best college basketball teams in the country and takes their pulse as March Madness looms in the not-too-distant future. Connecticut Last year, UConn completely dominated the NCAA Tournament on its way to winning the national title. The Huskies entered the 2024-25 campaign looking to become the first team since UCLA in the 1960s-1970s to win three consecutive championships. Even without Donovan Clingan, Alex Karaban, and Tristen Newton, the Huskies possess enough talent to make another national title run. However, the two-time defending national champion fell out of the AP Top 25 poll following a 68-62 loss to St. John's last Friday, ending the nation's fourth-longest active streak of being ranked (53 weeks). Connecticut has lost three of its last five games and is fourth in the Big East Conference standings. Despite the Huskies' recent struggles, head coach Dan Hurley remains unfazed. "I'm very optimistic," Hurley said. "I think right now is a really good time to play us. I think we've got a chance in February to kind of get this thing rolling and be looking a lot different in March." Florida Florida defeated No. 1 Auburn 90-81 last Saturday (Feb. 8), marking the Gators' first true road win over a top-ranked team in program history and ending the Tigers' 14-game winning streak. Florida won despite being without guard Alijah Martin, who missed the upset because of a hip pointer. Florida became the fifth team in AP poll history to defeat two different No. 1 teams in a single season (Tennessee and Auburn). The good news for Florida fans is that Martin was "moving around really well" in practice this week, according to head coach Todd Golden, and should be back in the starting lineup against No. 22 Mississippi on Tuesday. Alabama Alabama made their inaugural Final Four appearance in 2024 under head coach Nate Oats and is ready to return there once more this season. Alabama moved up one spot to No.2 following its 85-81 road win at Arkansas on Saturday, marking its sixth straight win. The Crimson Tide led by eighteen points with 6:29 left, but Arkansas went on a 13-2 run to make the game interesting in the final minutes. Alabama improved to 9-1 in SEC play, marking the third time the Tide have started 9-1 or better in conference play during Oats' tenure. Kansas The Jayhawks don't possess the rim protection of last season's team but have plenty of depth and scoring ability thanks to Hunter Dickinson, Zeke Mayo, Dajuan Harris, and KJ Adams, Jr. However, a lack of consistency continues to haunt the Jayhawks. In each of its last six games, Kansas has followed each win with a loss, including last Saturday's 81-73 loss to Kansas State. In the past two seasons, Kansas is 5-8 on the road against unranked teams. Duke Duke is an established top seed, boasting one of the best defenses in the country. While not as deep as Tennessee or Alabama, its speed and excellent guard play allow it to easily wear down opponents. Duke is also one of the nation's premier three-point shooting teams, making 44% of its three-point attempts this season. Duke's surprising 77-71 loss to Clemson on Saturday ended its 16-game win streak, the longest active streak in Division I before February 8 and the program's longest win streak since the 2005-06 season (17 games). Clemson outscored Duke 40-22 in the paint and finished with a 36-23 edge in rebounding. Creighton Creighton made waves last season as an unexpected Sweet 16 team and has a solid roster led by Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth, and Jamiya Neal. The Blue Jays have won nine consecutive games following last Saturday's 77-67 win over No. 11 Marquette, moving within one game of Big East leader St. John's. It marked a program-record ninth-straight Big East win for the Bluejays and matched their best 13-game start in Big East play since they joined the conference in 2013-14.

Super Bowl LIX Betting Preview & Trends

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025

Super Bowl LIX will pit two of the NFL's hottest teams against each other at Caesar's Superdome in New Orleans. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs aim to become the first team in league history to capture three consecutive Super Bowl victories. The Chiefs defeated Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game, while Saquon Barkley helped propel Philadelphia past the Commanders in the NFC Championship game.Betting Preview This year's Super Bowl features a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, where the Chiefs defeated Philadelphia 38-35. Kansas City is making its fifth Super Bowl appearance in the past six seasons, while head coach Andy Reid makes his sixth Super Bowl appearance. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making his fifth Super Bowl appearance, tying Joh Elway for the second-most appearances for a signal-caller. Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni returns to the Super Bowl for the second time in his four-year tenure with the Eagles. The Eagles and Chiefs both made significant moves this offseason to strengthen their teams, with Philadelphia General Manager Howie Roseman using innovative methods like adding void years to contracts to reduce upfront cap hits while stockpiling talent - including running back Saquon Barkley - who leads the league averaging 2.55 yards before contact per rush. Philadelphia's offense averaged 0.06 EPA/rush (second-best) and ranks No.1 in time of possession (32:22). The Eagles' attack will be challenged by a Kansas City defense conceding just 4.2 yards per rush (8th) and allowed only eight runs of 20+ yards during the regular season, fifth fewest in the league. Kansas City finished the regular season ranked fourth in scoring defense (19.2 points per game) Patrick Mahomes is 17-3 SU in his playoff career and 44-6 SU in home or neutral-site games played in November or later. Mahomes is 30-4 SU with extended rest during the season and 8-0 SU and ATS as an underdog or favorite of less than three points. Mahomes, who finished with a 2.3% turnover-worthy play rate this season (6th), faces an elite Philadelphia defense owning the league's seventh-best pressure rate (37%). Philadelphia's defensive front is led by interior defenders Jalen Carter, who has 53 pressures, and Milton Williams, who posted a 14% pressure rate this season. Betting Trends The Eagles scored 55 points in the Conference Championship, the most in that round in NFL history. Teams that scored 40 or more points in the Conference Championship are just 3-7 straight-up (SU) in the Super Bowl. Here are some additional betting trends to consider before February 9: Super Bowl favorites are 36-22 SU and 27-29-2 ATS Since 2007, Super Bowl underdogs are 10-7 SU and 12-5 ATS The Under is 11-10 in the last 21 Super Bowls Teams that win the Super Bowl outright are 49-7-2 ATS Super Bowl teams with a better record are 5-12 SU and 1-16 ATS since 2003 Since 2018, the Chiefs are 64-7 SU when leading after the first quarter, including 29-0 SU in the last three seasons Since 2020, the Chiefs are 9-25 ATS (26.5%) following a game in which they scored 30 or more points, failing to cover the spread by an average of -5.2 points per game Since 2017, the Eagles are 19-3 SU and 17-5 ATS (77.3%) following a game in which they had 205 or more rushing yards, covering the spread by an average of +10.9 points per game Teams coming off three or more consecutive games without committing a turnover are 124-81-6 ATS (60.5%) Super Bowl Official Ron Torbert will be officiating his second Super Bowl. Over the last two seasons, Torbert has called the third-most penalties and ranks in the top 4 in offensive holding penalties (94). Over the last decade, favorites are 90-71-2 ATS (56%) in games officiated by Torbert. This season, favorites went 13-4 SU and ATS with Torbert as the lead official.

MLB Betting Preview

Monday, Mar 18, 2024

MLB betting odds provide an effective means of measuring public sentiment towards specific games, which can help you decide if it makes more sense to fade the public or go with moneyline wagers. As part of their baseball handicapping strategies, experts must take several factors into account when handicapping games - weather and team histories are just two such considerations that need to be made when handicapping matches at Coors Field in Denver. Coors Field's unique physical surroundings also impact totals for each game played there. Futures wagers Futures bets offer an effective way of increasing your potential baseball betting payout. While they require greater patience and knowledge than other types of bets, futures wagers can reap big dividends when done properly. Always check odds before placing futures wagers as these odds change frequently depending on injuries, trades, and other variables that could influence play on any given day. Futures bets that are most frequently offered include league and division winners as well as team win totals. These types of bets tend to be easier for beginners to grasp than more intricate wagers and you can place them online or at your favorite sportsbook. Futures bets can take longer to settle than moneyline and run line bets, especially for season-long markets such as baseball. If you place a bet on the Houston Astros winning the World Series before its season begins, for example, your ticket could cash out months after first placing it; making them riskier. Runline bets Just like in football, run lines offer bettors another way of gambling on which team will win a game. Like point spreads but with larger margins of victory and higher odds. A standard MLB run line typically stands at 1.5 runs. Bets may be placed either on either team; however, bets on underdogs tend to yield greater returns due to good teams often facing weak opponents which produces more one-sided contests. However, standard MLB run lines can be adjusted depending on each matchup by one full or half run. Furthermore, sportsbooks may provide alternate run lines which are more volatile than standard lines, including ones based on how many points a team has scored which increases risk but results in larger rewards should you win. Parlay bets Parlay bets offer an effective way to increase winning wagers by adding multiple selections to a sports betting ticket at once. They can be placed on moneylines, run lines or total runs picks using complex baseball pick models which analyze team and player performance stats. Teaser bets use this same model to adjust point spreads and total line odds in your favor and are typically offered by reputable sportsbooks as an attractive offer to attract new customers or reward existing ones. Furthermore, parlays are easy to place and can make an excellent addition to your MLB betting preview. Just be careful when placing parlays involving multiple teams as any mistaken bet could mean your entire wager is lost - therefore you must conduct extensive research before placing any parlays and use disciplined straight betting practices when betting straight on multiple teams. Player props Player prop bets involve placing money on an individual player in a game. They tend to be more complex than side or total wagers and require research on past performances and injury reports of each team. One popular player prop bet involves betting on how many rushing yards a running back will amass in an individual game. This bet can usually be found at most US sportsbooks with odds of at least -120; when betting this way it's wise to consider team defense as this can have a considerable effect on game outcome. Other player props could include betting on how many strikeouts a starting pitcher will throw, or how many three-pointers a point guard will make in a game - these bets provide another way of adding excitement without risking your entire bankroll.

NBA Sports Betting Tips

Tuesday, Mar 12, 2024

NBA Sports Betting NBA sports betting can be great fun, but be mindful when placing bets. Take your time researching each bet you place, focusing on one type of bet until you gain more familiarity with both the sport and its betting odds. Understanding how to read numbers is also critical since records alone don't reveal much. Instead, analysis must take place against opponents and the schedule in mind. 1. Look for Underdogs Backing underdogs in sports betting can be both thrilling and profitable, providing punters with a thrilling and lucrative experience. When overhyped teams gain public favor, bookmakers often shift odds in their favor, which creates value. Advanced analytics, alternative betting markets, and sensible staking strategies may further increase profit potential. Search out underdogs in games where teams have the advantage of playing at home court. Teams utilizing their regular practice facilities and having cheering fans supporting them tend to give their all, especially during big rivalry games. Conversely, tired teams from playing back-to-back sets often struggle and present betting value for underdogs. Pay attention to any movements in betting lines that might indicate sharp bettors recognizing value in one particular underdog. 2. Look for Mismatches One of the most popular methods for wagering on NBA games is over/under betting, or Over/Under. Oddsmakers take into account offensive and defensive production to produce a total, which bettors then bet whether or not the final score will go Over or Under that number. Be mindful that NBA game odds tend to be set closer to game time than NFL lines, offering bettors additional chances to shop around for better odds and exploit momentum shifts when live betting. This also gives bettors more time to identify momentum shifts with live betting strategies that recognize momentum fluctuations as momentum swings occur in real time. NBA schedules can be difficult, and teams may experience difficulties when facing back-to-back or three games in four nights. Therefore, bettors need to understand these scheduling peculiarities so they can take full advantage of them when placing NBA bets. 3. Look for Trends One of the key aspects of NBA sports betting to keep an eye out for are trends. Based on past results, these can provide invaluable insight into future outcomes - helping you decide which team and amount to bet. Many betting sites provide NBA trending pages to provide bettors with an in-depth review of upcoming games, both statistically and with regards to schedule quirks such as back-to-backs or playing on Christmas/MLK Day/road trips (or worse yet three-game road trips). Bettors tend to overlook these factors, yet they can make a significant impactful statement about a game's outcome. For example, one team might experience poor play on a second night of a back-to-back due to fatigue after long road trips or because their star player is on minutes restrictions. 4. Look for Injury Reports NBA players compete in an 82-game season, and injuries can have an enormous impact on a team's ability to win games or cover spreads. Therefore, attention must be given daily to injury reports. Each team must publish a list of injured or questionable players for every game, which may range from illness to minor injuries like sore legs. It's particularly important to stay abreast of what beat writers are reporting about player health when considering betting on teams you're interested in betting on. Line movement should also be taken into account when placing NBA bets, particularly live betting markets. Odds adjust real time, depending on factors like travel issues or player ejections - providing opportunities to place winning wagers. 5. Look for Value No other sport can rival NBA basketball's excitement of no-look passes, acrobatic dunks, and long distance threes; coupled with high odds propositions that could yield significant payouts, it is no wonder sports betting on NBA is so popular. When placing NBA wagers, it's essential to search for value. This involves carefully considering each game's odds and identifying bets with positive expected value - this provides a more objective approach to sports betting and can help prevent common mistakes such as chasing losses or overvaluing favorites. Injury reports and scheduling quirks should also be closely examined before placing a bet. If, for instance, recently traded players face their former team, they may feel extra motivated to seek payback against them. Furthermore, it pays to shop around to find the best odds before placing your wager.

Where Will Shohei Ohtani Land Next Season?

Tuesday, Dec 05, 2023

If you had to piece together the perfect baseball player, how would you do it? Maybe take the speed of Elly De La Cruz, combine it with Pete Alonso’s strength, a little of Mookie Betts’ intangibles, and a dose of Ronald Acuna Jr.'s hitting ability. That just might be the perfect MLB player. Or, you could just clone Shohei Ohtani. There hasn’t been a talent like Ohtani in well, maybe, never. He has elevated his game to one where he is continually in the running for the AL Triple Crown. He can hit for power. He can hit for average. Then, there is his pitching ability, which will take a break in 2024 as Ohtani recovers from surgery on a torn UCL. This baseball offseason, Ohtani will be the most sought-after free agent in all sports. It will be similar to the summer of 2010 when LeBron James was a free agent and wound up in Miami with a giant contract. It’ll be the same for Ohtani. Believe it or not, there are odds on the size of Ohtani’s next contract. You can bet the Over at $500.5 million at -125 odds. Or, you can bet Under $500.5 million at -105 odds. The Angels star is one of the finalists for the AL MVP. The elbow injury was thought to be a detriment to Ohtani commanding $500 million, but he is a once-in-a-lifetime player. He has said he will pitch in 2024, which is why the Angels will do their best to keep their star. Staying in LA Ohtani is likely to stay in Los Angeles…just not with the Angels. The Dodgers are the current betting favorites to land Ohtani’s services. The Dodgers cleared enough payroll space to add a superstar like Ohtani. They may have done so just to get him. Ohtani has expressed his desire to play for a team that can get to the World Series. The Dodgers certainly meet that criteria. The only problem is that they could use a pitcher right now more than a hitter. As it stands, the Dodgers are still the overall favorite to land Ohtani at +115. Up the Coast If not LA, Ohtani could end up in San Francisco. The Giants are on the betting board at +1100 to snag Ohtani. The Giants were in the thick of the NL playoff race until late in the second half of the season when it all fell apart. They could use a power hitter like Ohtani and have enough quality pitching to get them through 2024. Other Contenders The Chicago Cubs hold the second-best odds to land Ohtani at +350. The Texas Rangers have the third-best odds to sign Ohtani (+650) after holding the sixth-best odds (+900). The Toronto Blue Jays have the fourth-best odds (+700) after previously being tied for 11th (+2000).The Yankees (+1200) and Mets (+900) missed the postseason last year. The Mets did it after going wild in last year’s offseason but their spending didn’t pay off. Will they be more cautious this time around? The Yankees already have some of the top sluggers in baseball. It’s well-known that the Yanks don’t care about spending. They routinely have one of MLB’s highest payrolls. Imagine a lineup with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Ohtani. Longshot It would be a big surprise if Ohtani remains with the Angels. Still, the Halos are given +2000 odds to keep him. He’d return with Mike Trout, but the Angels are still searching for a new manager to replace Phil Nevin.

How to Navigate the NBA’s In-Season Tournament

Wednesday, Nov 08, 2023

All 30 teams will participate in the first NBA In-Season Tournament. Teams will compete for the NBA Cup, and individual players will have the opportunity to win prizes such as MVP and All-Tournament Team money. The league wanted to generate more excitement and interest in the early part of the regular season. Thus, the in-season tournament was born. NBA Tournament Format Group Play and Knockout Rounds are the two stages of the NBA In-Season Tournament. For group play, the 30 NBA teams have been divided into six groups of five teams, three from each conference. It’s very similar to how international soccer tournaments are played. During group play, each team will play every other team once. In each group, the squad with the best record advances to the Knockout Rounds. The three group winners plus a wild card team advance to the Knockout Rounds. The wild card team is the one with the best record that did not win its group. There are a series of tiebreakers to break any ties to determine either group winners or wild card teams. The tiebreakers are: ● Group play head-to-head record● Point differential in group play● Total points scored in group play● Last season’s regular season record● Random draw In total eight teams—four from each conference—will proceed to the Knockout Rounds. Quarterfinal Play Teams that make it to the knockout round will be seeded based on their group play performance. Group winners will be seeded No. 1, 2, and 3. The wild card team will always be the No. 4 seed. In the quarterfinals, the No. 1 seed will play the No. 4 seed and No. 2 plays No. 3. The quarterfinals, or Knockout Rounds, is single-elimination play. Once you lose, you are knocked out of the tournament. T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, a neutral court, will host the Semifinals and Championship. The two remaining teams from each conference will play one another in the Semifinals. The Western Conference and Eastern Conference champions will compete for the In-Season Tournament Championship. With the exception of the championship, all NBA In-Season Tournament games will be taken into account for regular season standings and statistics. NBA Tournament Dates Futures markets for NBA Tournament wagering during the season have already opened. The tournament began last Tuesday, November 3, and ends on December 9, with the championship game. Group plays is scheduled for November. Tournament games will be played on Tuesdays and Fridays during November with the exception of last night, which was Election Day. Group play resumes this Friday. Each team plays two home games and two away games in group play. Group play ends on November 28. The quarterfinals begin on December 4 with the semifinals on December 7. Again, the final is scheduled for December 9. Betting the In-Season Tourney There are a few key points to consider when betting on the in-season tournament. Motivation is a big one. The real prize in the NBA is winning the NBA Finals next June. Top teams may be more focused on future games than the in-season tournament. Star players on teams not likely to make the playoffs will probably be extremely motivated because they can add several hundred thousand dollars to their bank accounts depending upon their performances in the tournament. It would be wise to review how teams have played at the beginning of the season. Many NBA teams made significant changes in the offseason. It’s worth taking some time to see how certain teams are playing at this point in the season. The other thing to look at is head-to-head records. The group play schedule has been known for some time. It’s worth checking how teams have fared against each other in recent history. They may have even played each other this season already. Take the 76ers as an example. They are off to a 6-1 start through seven games this season. Philly had a winning record against all four teams in their group last year and, collectively, went 12-2 against them last year.

Your Best College Basketball Futures Right Now

Monday, Nov 06, 2023

It’s almost hard to believe, but the 2023-24 college basketball season tips off on Wednesday, November 8. That means it’s time to take a look at the college basketball futures market. There are a number of great values right now. Here, we take a look at four. Aggies Win March MadnessKey veteran returnees give Texas A&M a ton of experience. They have a standout point guard, play great defense, and rebound well. Those are keys to winning a national championship. The Aggies, who finished 15-3 in the SEC last year and have returned every member of their starting lineup save for Dexter Dennis. Texas A&M would have received one of the top four seeds in the NCAA tournament last year if not for a poor non-conference strength of schedule and a few disappointing early losses. Wade Taylor IV is one of the top point guards in the nation and runs the offense. With Julius Marble, Henry Coleman III, and Andersson Garcia as their big men, A&M should be well-positioned to be a top rebounding team once again. The Aggies also have a coach who has been there before. Buzz Williams, who led Marquette and Virginia Tech to the second round of the NCAA tournament and came perilously close to making it to the Final Four, will lead the Aggies again this season. You can get Texas A&M at a value at +5500 to win a national title this season. Is This Creighton’s Year?The stage has been set for a deep run this March by Creighton with two Sweet 16 appearances in the last three seasons. With their starting five, the Bluejays should be able to break into the top 10 early this season. They finished 12th in the KenPom rankings last season. Normally, a team that has historically built its roster through player development and continuity would find it impossible to overcome the losses of Arthur Kaluma and Ryan Nembhard. However, this offseason, head coach Greg McDermott hit the portal successfully. At point guard, Steven Ashworth is a fantastic addition because he combines deadly long-range shooting with effective playmaking. During his final season at Utah State, he averaged 16.2 points per game and made 43% of his three-point attempts. With Trey Alexander and Ryan Kalkbrenner back, teams will have to play a pick-your-poison game every night because of their ability to shoot the basketball. Their final member of the big four, Baylor Scheierman, is a stat-sheet stuffer with a ton of March Madness experience. Creighton plays in a tough Big East conference which prepares them for the rigors of March Madness. McDermott has been there before and this could be the team that finally breaks into the Final Four. Creighton is a top-3 Big East team and at least a No. 5 seed in the tourney this year. You can bet the Bluejays to win it all at +3300. What Happened to Kentucky? There isn't a definite favorite to win the SEC this season, but Kentucky is still a strong contender at +600 to win the conference for the first time since 2020. In four of the previous five SEC seasons, the Wildcats have finished 12-6, 14-4, 15-3, and 15-3, but they have only won one conference title. Each year, head coach John Calipari adds to the Kentucky roster. This year, the Wildcats will still start a mix of freshmen alongside fifth-year guard Antonio Reeves and West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell. Calipari is feeling the heat in Lexington after early exits from the NCAA tourney the last few years. They will host Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas, all favorites to win the conference. An upset here or there and the Wildcats may be worth a small stake to win the SEC at +600. Speaking of the SEC Given how loaded the SEC is, Arkansas has a good chance of winning the 2024 NCAA title. For some reason, no one is paying much attention to the Hogs in the conference battle. Davonte Davis is back for Arkansas, and Trevon Brazile returns after a season-ending injury early in 2022. If Brazile hadn't been hurt, he was probably a lottery pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Head coach Eric Musselman added a number of key additions via the transfer portal. The starting lineup includes El Ellis from Louisville, Chandler Lawson from Memphis, Keyon Menifield Jr. from Washington, Jeremiah Davenport from Cincinnati, Tramon Mark from Houston and Khalif Battle from Temple. And, Musselman landed two top-60 recruits in Baye Fall and Layden Blocker. The Razorbacks were ranked in the top 20 by KenPom in terms of both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. This is a team that can get it done on both ends of the floor. It’s why you should consider Arkansas to win the SEC Championship at +850.

Michigan's Sign-Stealing Scandal Under Jim Harbaugh

Saturday, Nov 04, 2023

Many well-known members of the national sports media have advocated for Michigan to be punished prior to the conclusion of an NCAA investigation. That is not the answer and if Michigan were a Group of 5 school that hadn’t won a ton of games over the past few seasons, this issue wouldn’t even be on everyone’s radar. One FOX Sports analyst used social media on Thursday to provide the Big Ten conference with a much-needed voice of reason regarding the NCAA investigation into the Michigan football program. Reports suggest that a Michigan staffer attended games of Wolverines' opponents and recorded them. That is not permitted according to NCAA rules. The FOX analyst said that the level of resentment for the Wolverines is directly related to the amount of success they have had recently. Every NCAA or Big Ten infraction should be handled the exact same way. There should be no decisions made until the investigation is finished. A number of well-known ESPN personalities and others are urging the Big Ten to take immediate action. A majority of Big Ten coaches have urged the conference’s commissioner, Tony Petitti to levy punishment on Michigan right away. In any other case involving the breaking of NCAA or conference rules, there is an investigation. All relevant facts are collected, sorted out, and a decision is made. Why would that be different in this case? According to this FOX analyst and many others, it’s because Michigan has enjoyed tremendous success over the past two seasons. The Wolverines have made each of the last two College Football Playoffs. Connor Stalions, a Michigan off-field staff member, reportedly attended - or paid for someone else to attend - games of Michigan opponents. The games were filmed along with the coaches on the sideline in an effort to break down opponents’ signals. There are no rules against breaking down and “stealing” an opponent’s signals. What is prohibited is scouting an FBS opponent in person. Proving that is going to be difficult for the NCAA and/or the Big Ten. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has stated that he and his staff had no knowledge of what Stalions was doing. Stalions is an interesting character who wrote a whole 600-page “manifesto” on how he was going to take over the Michigan football program. He is in his first year as a paid member of the Michigan football staff, though Stalions serves in an off-the-field role. He’s a Naval Academy graduate and a retired Marine Corps captain. Whatever happens, it might be time for the NCAA or the FBS conferences to start looking into helmet audio technology. The NFL has been using it for years. There is even new technology, developed by AT&T, that allows players to actually see a play call on a small screen inside the facemask of the helmet. The technology was developed for Gaulladet University, which is a school for non-hearing, i.e. deaf, students. Of course, the argument against technology is that not all 133 FBS programs could afford it. The NCAA, however, could surely front the bill. The organization had revenues of nearly $1 billion in 2022 on TV and marketing rights alone.

Breaking Down the James Harden Trade

Tuesday, Oct 31, 2023

The NBA's extended nightmare has come to an end. James Harden has finally arrived in Los Angeles and is no longer with the Philadelphia 76ers. After months of posturing and animosity, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sixers reached a deal late on Monday night that sends former league MVP James Harden to his desired location in Los Angeles. According to the trade details, Harden, PJ Tucker, and rookie Filip Petrusev are headed to Los Angeles in exchange for the following: ● Robert Covington● Nic Batum● Marcus Morris● KJ Martin● An unprotected first-round pick in 2028● Two second-round picks● A 2029 pick swap and● Another 2026 first-round pick (courtesy of the Clippers via the Thunder). Along with his current (and previous) teammates Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, Harden joins Russell Westbrook, his former teammate on two different teams. Both George and Leonard reportedly pushed the Clippers to make this deal happen. Was it worth it? What Happens to the Sixers Next? What happens to Joel Embiid now is the biggest question front offices will be asking today. This summer, Embiid hinted that he might be willing to move away from Philadelphia in order to complete his NBA championship dream. It's believed that several franchises are watching closely in case Embiid chooses to pursue a trade request. According to league sources, the Miami Heat and New York Knicks would compete to be first in line for Embiid. That's why the Harden trade is so intriguing. With a healthy Embiid and a rapidly developing Tyrese Maxey, Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has brought in veterans who can help the team contend for a spot in the conference finals. Marcus Morris and Robert Covington replace PJ Tucker's defensive adaptability and spot-up three-point shooting. Batum adds adaptability by playing several forward positions. Additionally, the Sixers' increased draft capital will allow Morey to use it to pursue future star trades. Although he didn’t acquire a star player in the Harden trade, he was able to acquire enough assets from the Clippers to use in the future. Who Would Philly Pursue? With two additional first-round picks, the Sixers can go after a high-level guard to fit into the lineup alongside Embiid and Maxey. Who is that guard? It’s possible that Chicago’s Zach Lavine is one possible option. Another is Toronto’s Pascal Siakam. It’s no secret that the Bulls have been shopping LaVine for a while now, but they haven't been tempted to pull the trigger. Seemingly trapped in a no-man's land with Toronto, Siakam wants to continue on a new extension with a team that doesn't seem to be as excited about a long-term partnership. Either player could help Philadelphia get to the conference finals if Embiid can stay healthy for once. Interestingly, the four contracts that the Sixers acquired through trade—Martin, Covington, Morris, and Batum—all have expiration dates. Therefore, the Sixers would be an easy partner for any team looking to clear their cap sheet and trade for a star during a rebuild. Are the Clippers Better Off? Other than Westbrook, the only play-making guard on the Clippers roster is Bones Hyland, a career 11-points-a-game scorer. Harden adds another strong playmaker who doesn’t have to score as much with Westbrook, George, and Leonard on the floor. But, is LA really better off? Consider that this makes Harden’s fourth team in the last three years. He initially wanted to be in Houston, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia but left all three on bad terms. Is LA next? Harden is a free agent at the end of this season. What would stop him from leaving after this season? The Clippers are also notorious for flaming out late in the postseason. The franchise has played in one Western Conference final (2021) and has never made the NBA Finals. Harden has played 14 seasons in the NBA. He has been to exactly one NBA Finals. His Oklahoma City Thunder got dumped by the Miami Heat in just five games. Is he really the answer for the Clippers? Time will tell.

The MLB Playoff Race Is Going Down to the Wire

Wednesday, Sep 27, 2023

A lot can happen between now and Sunday, Oct. 1, when the 2023 MLB season comes to an end. If the season ended today, the Braves and Dodgers would have byes in the first round of the NL playoffs and the Orioles and Rangers would own the AL byes. The big questions that need to be answered are the wild card entrants in both leagues. It’s possible that the races in the AL and NL come down to tiebreakers. Toronto (87-69), Houston (86-71), and Seattle (84-72) are currently vying for the two remaining AL wild card spots. It’s possible that all three or two of the three end the season with identical records. What happens then? That’s where the tiebreaker could come into effect. How Tiebreakers Work in MLB Since 2022, any ties for a division title or for a wild card spot in the postseason have been determined by math. Prior to the MLB playoffs expanding from 10 to 12 teams, any ties were broken by playing a tiebreaker game. Now, ties are broken through a series of tiebreaker rules. The top three elements of breaking a tie are head-to-head record, intra-division record, and record against teams in the same league but in a different division. The head-to-head record comes first. If that doesn’t break the tie, then it’s team records against the other division opponents. Finally, teams would compare records against teams from their league but not in their division. Examples of Tiebreakers in 2023 The most heated wild card race is in the AL where Toronto, Houston, and Seattle have their sights set on the final two playoff spots. Seattle has already clinched the season series against Houston. If they end up tied, the Mariners hold the advantage. Interestingly, Seattle and Toronto each won three games against each other this season. That means the tiebreaker goes to the intra-division record. Seattle’s was 29-17. Toronto went 19-27. That gives the Mariners the advantage over the Blue Jays too. The Orioles hold the advantage over Tampa Bay if the Rays were able to tie Baltimore for the top spot in the AL East. The O’s won the season series 8-5. The Rangers have a 2.5-game lead over Houston and a 4-game lead over Seattle in the AL West. Texas and Seattle play four games to end the season. If they end up tied, Texas holds the advantage due to head-to-head record. The Cubs, unfortunately, are on the losing end of tiebreakers with all the other teams still vying for the NL wild cards. Arizona and Chicago have identical records right now, but the D-Backs hold the tiebreaker advantage. Miami is one game behind the Cubs. The Reds are 2.5 games back. Both teams hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Cubs

The Three NFL Coach of the Year Bets to Make Now

Friday, Sep 01, 2023

With Week 1 of the NFL just seven days away, it’s time to take a look at the NFL Coach of the Year bets to make right now. The current NFL COTY is New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll. He took a 4-13 Giants team, led them to a 9-7-1 record, and earned a berth in the NFC playoffs as a wild card. Which NFL coach is poised to do the same in 2023? There are a few, but in betting the NFL COTY, there is a certain profile that fits the bill. Understanding that profile leads us to three candidates to bet on before Week 1 of the 2023 season starts. Wins Are KeyIf you look at the past ten NFL COTYs, all but one - that was Daboll last year - had double-digit wins. The NFL Coach of the Year is going to have a high winning percentage. Over the past decade, the COTY has won an average of 12.1 games. It’s actually closer to 13 if we base it on the 17-game schedule that the league now plays. Daboll had nine wins last year, but the nine guys before him all won at least 11. Seven of the ten also won a division title. Five even received a first-round playoff bye. The bottom line is that winning is king when it comes to the NFL COTY. Making ProgressIt’s the reason why they were hired in the first place. They need to make improvements and each of the last 10 COTYs outperformed their team’s previous season. Most of them did so significantly. The average COTY team improved from 6.9 wins to 12.1 wins the following season, winning 5.2 games more on average. Most of the COTY teams had preseason win totals between 7.5 and 9.5. Most of these teams, who were thought to be .500 teams at best, went on to exceed expectations. Exceeding ExpectationsSpeaking of exceeding expectations, our most recent COTYs didn’t just make progress, they performed well beyond what any of the so-called experts had anticipated. These surprise teams tend to garner more votes when it comes time for the COTY voting. Six of the last ten COTYs won at least 4.5 games more than predicted according to Vegas win total lines. The projected win total for the last 10 COTY winners was 8.8. All 10 won at least two more games than their projected win total. Ideal NFL COTY CandidateBreaking it down then, the perfect NFL COTY candidate is one who wins a ton of games. Preferably, the coach wins more than the previous season. Typically, the COTY is going to come from a team that had a losing record the previous season. He’ll likely need 10-plus wins and preferably a playoff spot. Keep in mind that the award typically does not go to the favorite. The last eight NFL COTYs all started the season at +1800 or higher. Six of the previous 12 winners were first-year head coaches and five of the last seven were offensive guys. Your 2023 NFL COTY Candidates to Bet Now Mike McDaniel (Dolphins) +2000: McDaniel enters his second season off a pretty strong debut. The Dolphins won nine games. He’s an offensive guy who will have a healthy Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback and plenty of weapons on offense. He also hired veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to shore up the defense. Miami has a win total of 9.5. McDaniel will need double-digit wins and a playoff berth. Both are doable with the Dolphins schedule. And, McDaniel is nowhere near the favorite here. Arthur Smith (Falcons) +1400: Smith will play in what is likely the weakest division in football. He’s another offensive-minded guy who has developed quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill and Desmond Ridder last season. Carolina is young and inexperienced. Tampa Bay doesn’t have Tom Brady and the Saints are in the midst of a rebuild. The Falcons are talented - Kyle Pitts and Drake London - on offense and they made some moves in the offseason on defense. He’s not a first-year candidate, but he fits the other criteria and he’s priced at +1400. DeMeco Ryans (Texans) +2500: Here’s the guy who is worth at least a small bet. Ryans is a first-year head coach. He’ll have the benefit of playing six games in the weakest division in the AFC (the South). The Colts have a new head coach too and the Titans will struggle with a weak offensive line. Jacksonville is solid on offense but weak defensively. Houston will surprise some people with a fairly well-rounded and deep roster. They benefit from having the schedule of one of the weakest teams in the league last year. The Texans won just three games last year. If Ryans can do what Daboll did a year ago, this bet makes for a nice payout.

Early Season College Football Betting Trends

Wednesday, Aug 30, 2023

College football has a unique Week 0 where only a select few teams make their debuts, unlike the NFL where every team plays on the opening weekend. Fourteen FBS teams started their seasons last weekend, with the majority (13 of 14) playing again in Week 1 against a team playing in its first game of the year. That raises a question of which is more crucial: Is it better to have game film of an opponent with a rest and preparation edge or is it better to have played a live game already? Teams that haven’t played can view their opponent's performance from the first game if they played in Week 0. That can be a huge benefit. Teams that haven't played yet may also have an advantage in preparation. Teams who didn't play in the first week of the season don’t have film. That means their opponent has yet to see them play. For teams that don’t play in Week 0, the extra rest is beneficial as is not having to travel or deal with injuries suffered in a game. Look at Hawaii, which played Saturday night after a lightning delay in the humid climate of Nashville. Their athletes had multiple cramping issues and then had to travel over 4,000 miles back home. They will play against Stanford on Friday night, making it an even shorter week for the Warriors. Stanford was off last week and will make the trip to Hawaii with extra rest. How does it all play out? Historical Trends The answer is obvious in terms of historical against-the-spread (ATS) odds. The team making its debut has an advantage. Historically, teams playing their season opener against an opponent who has already played, including FCS teams, have covered at a rate of just under 55%. The lower limits are a result of the FCS market's significantly lower efficiency. As a result, if we only consider FBS teams, they have performed slightly better, going 56-33 ATS (62.9%), since 2005. Only games played in August and September are included here. This eliminates eight season openers for Mountain West and Pac-12 teams in 2020 that started the season late because of pandemic-related issues. Due to their upcoming games against FCS opponents, Ohio, San Diego State, New Mexico State, FIU, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, UTEP, and Jacksonville State did not make the cut. Navy, which has a bye this week, didn’t either. 2023 Games To Consider There are five games that fall into this category. Nevada plays at No. 6 USC a week after the Trojans won their first game against San Jose State. Nevada is a 38-point underdog. The Spartans, after suffering a 28-point loss to the Trojans in Week 1, will take on No. 18 Oregon State on Sunday afternoon. The three other games are as follows: ● UMass at Auburn (-38) - UMass beat New Mexico State last week.● Louisiana Tech @ SMU (-20) - La. Tech beat FIU last week.● Stanford (-4) @ Hawaii - Hawaii lost to Vanderbilt last week. Future Considerations There are no conference matchups that fit this scenario this year. It’s a small sample size, but there is a big trend to watch when a team makes its season debut against a conference opponent that has played in Week 0. There have been 17 such games since 2005. The team making its season debut is 14-3 ATS - that’s an 82.3 percent cover rate - and the winners are covered by an average of right around a touchdown per game. You could argue that teams in that situation have an even greater film advantage and may unleash an even greater frequency of new looks. Just something to remember for future seasons.

How Joe Burrow’s Injury Has Impacted the Bengals & Betting Markets

Monday, Jul 31, 2023

Cincinnati starting quarterback Joe Burrow suffered what’s being called a calf strain during Bengals training camp last week. Nothing more has really been said about the injury other than Cincy’s starter will miss several weeks. Cincinnati’s first game of the season isn’t until Sept. 10 when they play AFC North and in-state rival Cleveland. So, how does Burrow’s injury impact Cincinnati and associated betting markets? Understanding the Injury The so-called “calf strain” is a soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injuries are typically graded as mild, moderate, or severe. A mild strain is a Grade 1 injury. Moderate strains are Grade 2 and severe strains are classified as Grade 3. Neither the Bengals' athletic training staff nor the team’s coaching staff have classified Burrow’s injury. Therefore, we have to infer from what Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has said about his starting quarterback. Taylor said that it will be several weeks before Burrow returns. He said he will return, but it will take some time. That indicates that it is probably a Grade 2, or moderate strain. Cincy WR Ja’Marr Chase said that Burrow has been using a scooter to get around. That also indicates that it’s more than a mild strain. Using the scooter means that Burrow is not supposed to put weight on the injured calf. Walking and engaging the calf could make the injury worse. Nothing New Now, anyone wondering about how Burrow’s injury affects the Bengals or his preparation in training camp can simply point to the past. Missing the preseason and not playing in a preseason game is nothing new for Burrow. Remember, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the entire preseason during Burrow’s rookie year in 2020. The following year, 2021, Burrow was recovering from a knee injury suffered late in his rookie season. In the 2021 preseason, Burrow took three snaps in a game. That’s it. Last year, the Bengals quarterback was recovering from an emergency appendectomy. He ended up throwing just one pass in a preseason game last year. It was dropped by Chase, by the way. Regardless, missing any part of the preseason is nothing new for Burrow and the Bengals. Betting Impact When Burrow was carted off the field last week, sportsbooks immediately took down everything related to the Bengals in the futures markets. There was uncertainty surrounding the injury and sportsbooks were not taking any chances. With the quarterback having the single greatest impact on the outcome of a team’s season, sportsbooks decided to play it safe until they had more information. Once it was announced as a calf strain, sportsbooks began reposting the Bengals' futures odds. Burrow was listed at +750 to win the NFL MVP before the injury and remains right in that ballpark at most sportsbooks after the injury. The same is true of the Bengals' Super Bowl odds. Defending champion Kansas City is still the overall favorite at +600. The Eagles (+650) and Bills (+900) are the only other teams given better than +1000 odds. San Francisco (+1000) is next on the board and right behind them is the Cincinnati Bengals (+1100) whose odds remain unaffected by Burrow’s injury. As long as Burrow can come back healthy, the Bengals should be among the teams battling for this year’s Lombardi Trophy.

Baseball’s New Pitch Clock - How It’s Working So Far

Sunday, Jul 30, 2023

After several years of enduring baseball games that lasted longer than three hours, MLB finally implemented a pitch clock. It was tried out in a number of minor leagues before arriving in MLB in 2023. How has it worked so far? The Pitch Clock If you're unaware, the MLB pitch clock regulates how long a pitcher may wait between pitches. A pitcher has 15 seconds to throw his next pitch if there are no runners on base. He is given 20 seconds when there is at least one runner on base. Prior to the pitch clock running out, the pitcher must be in his windup. A ball is automatically awarded for any pitch clock infraction. There must be at least eight seconds left on the pitch clock when batters enter the batter's box. A hitter commits a violation and gets called for a strike automatically if he is not in the box at that time. There are some additional nuances, but those are the fundamentals of the new rule. Of course, the pitch clock has generated a lot of discussion among fans and within the league. The Purists of Baseball Purists of traditional baseball despise the pitch clock. They assert that the game was intended to be played at its own pace. A clock has never been used in baseball. It was never intended to, and purists think it takes away from the original game. The pitch clock does eliminate some of the psychological tricks that pitchers could employ against hitters. The most ardent baseball purists will find that to be an important aspect of the game. Many people also claim that games today move too quickly. While 2:03 may be a little too short for an MLB game, three and a half hours is definitely too long. Scoring Is Up Compared to last season, MLB games now average 9.1 runs per game. It's interesting to note that MLB games in 2021 also featured an average run total of 9.1. The numbers are back up this season after declining last year. But is the increase in scoring connected to the new pitch clock? Los Angeles Dodgers were the MLB team with the most runs scored in 2022. Last year, they scored 5.17 runs per game on average. The Texas Rangers have held the top spot for the majority of the season. They currently score 5.83 runs per game on average. Six teams average at least 5.00 runs per game currently. Last season, only the Dodgers were over the 5-run mark. Change in Pitching A look at pitching statistics also provides some useful information. Starting pitchers have almost certainly been the group that has been most impacted by the pitch clock. The Dodgers also held the majors record for team ERA in 2022. LA's pitchers had an overall ERA of 2.82. With 2.84, Houston's staff came in second. The Dodgers were No. 1 once more in 2021 with a team ERA of 3.02. The league-leading Dodgers posted a 3.11 ERA even during the abbreviated 2020 MLB season. The key takeaway is that the best baseball pitching staff have had team ERAs that have tended to be around 3.00. Tampa Bay has the top pitching staff in MLB in 2023 based on ERA with the new pitch clock. The Rays' ERA as a whole is 3.70. Injuries Pitcher injuries were one of the arguments raised against the use of the pitch clock. The numbers show that there is no connection between the two. A spike in pitcher injuries occurred in 2021, and through the first 75 days of the season, 195 pitchers had been placed on the injured list. In 2022, it decreased to 157. It's interesting to note that there were fewer this year (146). It's interesting to note that this year's average fastball and breaking ball velocities are higher than they were in 2022. Through the first 75 days of the season last year, the average fastball clocked in at 93.8 mph. It was 94.0 this year. Breaking ball speed increased from 82.6 to 83.0 miles per hour. Actually, those figures are more suggestive of an increase in injuries. The torque on the elbow increases with the speed at which these pitchers throw. Compared to the time between pitches, that can unquestionably result in more injuries. Games are being sped up by the pitch clock, which eliminates about 30 minutes from each game. It won't disappear any time soon. To determine its actual impact on the game, if any, we'll need a larger sample size.

The Most Memorable Moments in Sports on the Fourth of July

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2023

It’s a memorable day on the calendar each year. First and foremost, it is the celebration of the independence of the United States of America. It also marks a sort of mid-point to the summer. July 4th lands just about halfway through the Major League Baseball season as well. However, it’s not just baseball that has provided some of the more memorable sports moments on the Fourth of July. Richard Petty Wins 200th It was two days after his 47th birthday. Petty would win for the final time in his storied career at the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Petty had appeared in over 1,200 races in his career and had seven NASCAR Cup Series championships. On July 4, 1984, Petty won his record-setting 200th race that day. He would go on to race for another eight years but never won another NASCAR Cup Series event. John McEnroe Beats Bjorn Borg Wimbledon begins near the end of June and often some of the Grand Slam tournament’s events occur on July 4. In 1981, John McEnroe faced Bjorn Borg for the men’s singles title. McEnroe was just 22 years old and Borg had won five straight Wimbledon titles. At the time, Borg had won 41 straight matches at Wimbledon. McEnroe would upset Borg for his first Wimbledon title. He would win twice more in his career. Kevin Durant Signs with Golden State It wasn’t an on-field performance, but in 2016 the free agent Durant announced he would be leaving Oklahoma City to head to Golden State. The Warriors had just set an NBA record with 73 wins in the previous season. Durant would go on to win consecutive NBA Finals MVPs the next two seasons. Phil Niekro, Nolan Ryan Get to 3,000 Ks In 1980, Ryan went up against the Cincinnati Reds and their loaded lineup. He struck out Ken Griffey Sr. in the first inning and then got Cesar Geronimo in the second for his 3,000th strikeout. Ironically, Geronimo was also the 3,000th victim of Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. Four years later, Phil Niekro would add his name to the list of MLB pitchers with 3,000 strikeouts. The knuckleball pitcher would finish his career with 3,324 strikeouts. Righetti’s No-No In 1983, Yankees pitcher Dave Righetti pitched a complete game no-hitter against his team’s biggest rival – the Boston Red Sox. Righetti would strike out Red Sox star Wade Boggs to complete the feat. Boggs would strike out only 36 times all season and end up winning the AL batting crown. Righetti’s teammate, SS Bert Campaneris, would add to his MLB record. Campaneris played in 11 no-hitters during his career. Righetti would go on to win three World Series championships as a coach of the San Francisco Giants from 2000 to 2017. The Luckiest Man Alive It was about a month after one of the greatest players in New York Yankees’ and MLB history was forced to retire. Lou Gehrig played in 2,130 consecutive games, won six World Series titles, was a seven-time All-Star, and won the American League MVP twice. On July 4, 1939, he gave a speech that still brings chills to those that listen to it. Gehrig had been diagnosed with the disease that now bears his name. He returned to Yankee Stadium where he made his final public appearance that day. Gehrig’s speech was just 275 words, but the most famous of those was this, “…today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” The Yankees would split a doubleheader with the Washington Senators that day. Gehrig would pass away less than two years later.

Why Georgia Will Not Win a Third Straight CFP National Championship

Friday, Jun 30, 2023

Since the wire service era began in 1936, no college football team has ever won three consecutive national championships. Fourteen teams, including last year’s Georgia Bulldogs, have won back-to-back titles, but none have claimed the elusive three-peat. Some schools have been close, but you can add Georgia to the list of 14 that have failed at winning three consecutive national titles. Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is 81-15 in his seven seasons at Georgia. His team will fare well again in 2023, but history is not on the Bulldogs’ side. Go Army, Let’s TieThere were several great Army teams of the 1940s. Legendary head coach Red Blaik won back-to-back national championships in 1944 and 1945. Blaik and the Black Knights won 25 straight games before facing off with national power Notre Dame. The two teams played to a scoreless tie in what is considered one of the best college football games of all-time. The result would leave Army 9-0-1 that season and give the national title to the Fighting Irish. It was the start of something special in South Bend. Golden DomersAfter winning the 1946 title, Notre Dame and its Hall of Fame coach Frank Leahy won the 1947 crown too. They were led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Lujack. The Fighting Irish were on their way to a third straight championship but were passed in the polls by Michigan. Eventually, Notre Dame would tie USC and end up No. 2 in the final poll in 1948. In what would have been an unprecedented run, Leahy and the Irish won the national title again in 1949. Close But No CigarNebraska was one of the most successful college football programs of the 1970s through the 2000s. Bob Devaney won consecutive national titles in 1970 and ‘71 before going 9-2-1 in 1972. The Cornhuskers finished No. 4 in the country that season. Devaney’s protege, Tom Osborne, put together one of the most dominant runs in modern college football history. First, Osborne and the Huskers won 25 straight games in winning consecutive titles in 1994 and ‘95. That came after Osborne and Nebraska lost to Florida State 18-16 in the 1993 title game. The Cornhuskers missed a field goal on the game’s last play. Then, in 1996, Nebraska was on its way to another BCS national championship. All they had to do was beat Texas in the Big 12 title game. The Huskers were a double-digit favorite over the Longhorns but fell victim to the upset, 37-27, and wound up No. 6 in the final polls. USC FailsPete Carroll had a great run at USC in the 2000s. They won the 2003 and 2004 national titles and were looking for the three-peat in 2005. The Trojans won 34 straight games before they faced Texas and its dynamic quarterback, Vince Young. Young scored the game-winning touchdown with nine seconds remaining in the 2005 Rose Bowl to prevent USC from claiming the first three-peat in CFB history. The Trojans wound up No. 2. History vs. GeorgiaThe Bulldogs are a +250 favorite to win a third straight national championship. That number is likely to decrease as Georgia begins its season. Smart’s team will have two easy ones to start the season - UT-Martin and Ball State. They’ll get UAB in Week 4 sandwiched in between South Carolina at home and Auburn on the road. That could be the Bulldogs' first real test. Georgia likely won’t get much resistance until Ole Miss shows up between the hedges of Sanford Stadium on Nov. 11. Then, the big one…at Tennessee. The Bulldogs will get everyone’s best shot. If they do manage to win the SEC East, they will likely need to win the SEC championship to get into the College Football Playoff. Then, they’ll need another semifinal win and a title game win…all with a new quarterback. Sure, Smart returns 18 starters from last year’s team, but without a proven quarterback to start the season the Bulldogs are going to have some questions early. Maintaining that kind of dominance is difficult, especially when one of the teams - Alabama - that is a contender, plays in your conference. While Georgia has a great chance to become the first three-peat champion, history is not on the Bulldogs’ side.

5 College Football Coaches on the Hot Seat Entering the 2023 Season

Thursday, Jun 29, 2023

Each year, a number of college football coaches end up losing their jobs, while others barely escape the same fate. These coaches need a winning season, a win over a rival, a bowl berth, or must somehow show some vast improvement in the next season. Interestingly, college football coaches with winning records will often be “on the hot seat” since they might not be viewed as doing enough for their program. That said, here is a look at five coaches who are squarely on the hot seat heading into the 2023 campaign. Danny Gonzalez, New Mexico Lobos fans probably miss Bob Davie's 2015 and 2016 winning seasons. Gonzalez is 7-24 in three years with the Lobos. New Mexico is 3-20 in Mountain West Conference play. That includes a dismal 0-8 last season. The Lobos' offense totaled 228.1 yards per game, the absolute worst in the nation. They ranked 129th in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game. Gonzalez will return four offensive starters, three on the offensive line. The season starts at Texas A&M and there are late season back-to-back trips to Boise State and Fresno State. Dino Babers, Syracuse How long will Syracuse fans tolerate Babers? Babers went 10-3 after two 4-8 seasons in Years 1 and 2. Since that 2018 campaign, Babers has had just one winning season. That came last year. The Orange went 7-6, but they started the season 6-0 and were ranked in the AP Top 25. Replicating that this season will be difficult. Syracuse plays at Purdue on Sept. 16, Clemson at home on September 30, North Carolina, Florida State, and Virginia Tech are all on the road. Steve Sarkisian, Texas Sarkisian is 13-12 in Austin. That kind of record doesn’t really make Longhorns fans all warm and fuzzy. The Longhorns' offense hasn't taken off after Sarkisian's success at Alabama. Last season, the Horns improved to 8-5 and beat eventual Big 12 champion Kansas State. Texas also beat rival Oklahoma 49-0. Nine offensive starters, including QB Quinn Ewers, return for Texas. Many expect Sarkisian's team to win the new-look Big 12. Six defensive starters return. Sark is likely safe, but if the Longhorns falter, Texas may be looking elsewhere for a head coach to lead them into the SEC in 2024. Neal Brown, West Virginia West Virginia fans are not too happy with Brown. He has one winning season in four years. That was because COVID-19 cut the 2020 season short. Brown is 22-25 at WVU. That comes to 5.5 wins per season. The last time West Virginia was that bad was between 1977-80 when they went 18-27. Penn State is up first on the schedule and Pitt renews the Backyard Brawl in 2023. The Mountaineers play Texas Tech and TCU in Big 12 play. Late last season, Brown was +200 to be the next college coach fired. That may carry over into 2023. Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M Ole Jimbo has been under fire since losing four games in his first season in College Station. Fisher's predecessor, Kevin Sumlin, went 44-21 and was fired after Year 5. Fisher is 39-21 (23-18 SEC) in five seasons in College Station and hasn’t been let go yet. Last year's 5-7 Aggies lost six straight SEC games. Fisher "saved" the season by beating UMass and LSU in the season finale. Fisher, like Brown, was given +200 odds to be the next CFB coach fired late last season. It’s highly possible that Fisher and the Aggies could go 5-7 again and Jimbo keeps his job. There are 76,800,000 reasons why he might remain. If fired before the end of 2023, Texas A&M would owe Fisher $76.8 million.

How to Bet the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

If you’re betting on the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, you’d better have a strategy. Otherwise, betting on a whim is a waste of your money. The top offensive rookie in the league plays one of three positions and possesses specific qualities. Here, we show you how to maximize your bets in this category. Where to Start Make sure the player is a wide receiver, a running back, or a quarterback when putting a wager on the NFL Offensive ROTY. Tight ends and linemen don’t win this award. When you look at rookie QBs, RBs, and WRs, they need to play. Guys that win this award typically play 15 games or more in their first year. Additionally, it is advantageous if the player plays in around 15 to 16 games each season. That player will be able to compile the kinds of stats that garner season-ending honors if they participate in the majority of games. Defining ROTY According to its definition, the best offensive first-year player in the National Football League receives the Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year Award each year. Now, it helps to understand who votes for the winner. Voting is open to the 50 Associated Press journalists who cover the NFL. They vote right after the last game of the regular season. Typically, two to five players receive votes and there is usually no dispute over the winner. Voters normally vote for the players with the best statistical seasons. If they don’t have strong numbers; they aren’t winning the ROTY. The Numbers Speaking of numbers, actual passing yards matter more than metrics like air yards or yards per attempt. Running backs and wide receivers usually need about 1,300 yards or more to be a ROTY winner. To accumulate those kinds of numbers, a rookie has to play. Since 2010, nine ROTY winners have played at least 15 games and 28 of the 39 players that received votes since 2010 played in every single game. Playing in every game – or at least most games – is what allows rookies to produce big numbers. Past Winners Up until the early 2000s, the ROTY was a running back-heavy award. With rookie quarterbacks often playing early now, QBs have now taken nine of the past 20 trophies. Running backs and wide receivers won the other 11. Each of the last two ROTYs – Ja’Marr Chase and Garrett Wilson – were receivers. More receivers are being taken early in the draft and, as a result, are playing earlier. Timing Timing is everything for ROTY bettors. Many might not have touched Justin Herbert at 30-1 as a rookie QB with the Chargers. But, when starter Tyrod Taylor went down, Herbert stepped in and had an outstanding season to earn the award. In 2014, Odell Beckham Jr. missed the first four games of the season. That caused his value to drop, but he eventually ended up winning the ROTY. The point is that bettors might have to wager on a guy that isn’t a starter or isn’t playing a lot at the beginning of the season in order to get longer odds. Recent victories have gone to many players. Since 2009, six winners have earned odds of at least +1200. The timing is critical for gamblers. Team Matters The ROTY winner has played on a team that has averaged 7.9 victories since 2010. Some (Saquon Barkley, 3-13) were on truly bad teams, while others (Dak Prescott, 13-3) were on really good ones. Only four of the winning quarterbacks in the prior six seasons had a winning percentage over .500. Given that the worst teams frequently select toward the top of the draft, this should make sense. Because the quarterback is so important, teams choose to draft them first. When you draft a QB so high, it is expected that he will play early. The Draft & More Twelve of the past 20 ROTY winners were chosen in the first 10 picks in their draft. Players who are chosen highly usually have more opportunities to play right away. That, of course, leads to the numbers we discussed earlier. Running back is the only position where non-first-round picks have won. Although they have earned a few votes, offensive linemen have never taken home the prize. There have been six votes cast since 2010 on an offensive lineman. Victories for the quarterback matter when the vote is close. Despite Ezekiel Elliott having the second-best rookie running back season of all time in 2016, Dak Prescott won the ROTY. He threw just four interceptions and led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record.

How to Maximize MLB First Five Innings Bets

Saturday, May 20, 2023

One of the best methods to uncover value in baseball betting is wagering on the First Five innings. It’s the equivalent of betting on the NFL’s or NBA’s first half. Bettors can more accurately forecast potential outcomes because it lowers the number of variables that can impact the game’s conclusion. Simply put, first five innings bets allow you to disregard any game developments that take place after the fifth inning. How can you maximize those bets?Types of First Five BetsMost bookmakers allow you to wager on the first five innings in the same ways that you may on the entire game. These include straight-up moneyline wagers, run line wagers (point spread), and totals wagers on the combined run totals for both teams.When computing odds for the First Five, also known as F5, there are fewer factors to consider. It makes sense that betting on the F5 will typically offer less favorable odds than betting on the full game. When there are concerns about a team’s bullpen, betting on the First Five is frequently the wiser course of action. More on that in a moment.Examples of First Five BetsFirst Five Innings wagers are rather simple when compared to full game wagers. Let’s look at an example. Here’s a look at a Phillies-Marlins game. The odds for an entire game are listed first. The First Five Odds are listed next.Phillies -125 -1.5 (+145) O 7.5 (-105)Marlins +105 +1.5 (-170) U 7.5 (-115)Phillies -120 -1.5 (+120) O 4.5 (-105)Marlins +100 +1.5 (-140) U 4.5 (-115)The final innings of a game are frequently when a team’s advantages start to matter more. That should be reflected for bettors in correctly constructed odds. Favorites will have a bigger advantage in whole game wagers than in first five inning wagers. While placing a complete game wager will normally yield a higher return on investment, it is not always the optimum bet.The First Five Is All About PitchingEven though baseball is a team sport, the pitcher is the one who has the most impact on the game. It’s like the goalie in hockey. A starting pitcher in MLB is good enough to go five innings. The best MLB pitchers frequently go six or more innings.Because you just need to consider the relative strength of the starting pitchers and not the bullpen, the first five innings of a game are often simpler to handicap than the entire game. The effect of relief pitchers in a game is far less predictable. Betting the First Five takes the bullpen out of the equation. Strong pitching ultimately has a big effect on F5 betting.Because of schedule variance, there are times when a team’s No. 1 starter will go up against an opponent’s No. 5 starter. Think of Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, or Sandy Alcantara going up against a lesser-known fifth starter. How about those pitchers against a team that pitches a bullpen game?When you have high confidence in the starting pitcher’s relative strength, it makes sense to consider the First Five wager.Top Heavy LineupsA head-to-head analysis of the relative strengths of each team’s starting pitcher is definitely the most important factor in handicapping for the First Five innings bet. However, bettors shouldn’t stop there.A comparison of the batting lineups for each club would be part of a more thorough analysis. Bettors should focus on where the power hitters are in a lineup. Typically, you’ll find those hitters in the No. 3, 4, and 5 slots in the batting order. If a team has three solid hitters batting at the top of the order, that helps the First Five bet. Those hitters will usually get an extra at-bat by the fifth inning.

Betting Trends in the NBA Playoffs

Friday, Apr 21, 2023

There have been a few early surprises in the playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo played just 11 minutes before leaving Game 1 of the Bucks playoff series against Miami, and the Heat won the series opener against Milwaukee. While some other series, including Boston-Atlanta and Philly-Brooklyn, are proceeding as expected, the Lakers looked strong in defeating Memphis in Game 1. The Grizzlies gave it right back in Game 2. If you plan on betting on the NBA playoffs this season, it might be beneficial to be aware of some intriguing trends. Let’s start with the favorites to win it all. Favorite in the Futures Market The NBA championship is currently expected to be won by the Boston Celtics. Boston currently is given +275 odds. The Bucks are next on the board at +335. Over the previous 47 NBA seasons, 24 teams entered the postseason as favorites and won the NBA title. Golden State was the most recent NBA favorite to enter the postseason and go on to win the championship. In fact, the Warriors did it three times in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Nine more favorites participated in the championship game out of those 47 NBA seasons. That means 33 of 47 favorites to win the NBA title at least played in the NBA Finals. It's interesting to note that the team picked to win it all in each of the previous three seasons (2020 Clippers, 2021 Nets, 2022 Suns) has not made the NBA Finals. Be Wary of Underdogs The Sacramento Kings had their best season in a long time. The result was the team's first appearance in the playoffs since the 2005–06 campaign. With a 48-34 record, the Kings secured the third seed. The odds for Sacramento to win the NBA championship are currently +2200. Sacramento will become the 30th team seeded in the top-3 given odds of +2000 or higher since the NBA increased the playoff field to 16 teams in 1984. None of the previous 29 teams reached the NBA Finals. Before bowing out of the playoffs, 10 of those 29 teams advanced to the conference finals. The 2020 Denver Nuggets were the most recent team to do this. In 2018, Portland was a top-3 seed and was given +5800 odds to win the NBA championship. The Trail Blazers were eliminated in the first round. Speaking of Underdogs Bettors should avoid supporting the trendy underdog too. Underdogs that have at least 66 percent of the tickets since 2005 are only 29-43-1 ATS. These dogs are 6–12 ATS as of 2015. There is a way you might be able to take advantage of NBA playoff underdogs. When there is a short home underdog, you should take a look at the total. Oddsmakers are expecting a close game and, usually, these games live up to the expectations. In 247 such NBA playoff games, the Under is 145-101-1, which represents a winning percentage of 59 percent. Speaking of Unders In the playoffs, Unders appear to be a more common wager. The pace of play is typically slower than during the regular season as teams value every possession. Unders finished 58-35 last postseason. That’s a 62.4 winning percentage. Unders have exceeded .500 in four of the last five playoff seasons. Smart bettors can go a little further and advance their Under betting. Since 2005, the Under is 548-525-20 (51.1%). The Under is 235-192-2 with a winning percentage of 55% in Games 5 through 7 of a playoff series. Games 6 and 7 are where the real value can be found. Since 2005, the Under is 121-86 (58.5%). The Under has prevailed in those games by an average of 2.7 points. Defense Only three NBA teams have won the championship in the previous 40 years without having a top-10 defense (in terms of points allowed). The Golden State Warriors from 2018 were the most recent. The Lakers in 2001 and the Houston Rockets in 1995 were the other two. Of the top 10 defensive teams in the league this season, seven are playing in the postseason.

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