Betting Baseball

When it comes to betting baseball, you can get overwhelmed with the amount of information, stats, and data that is avaible. It certainly can seem like a daunting task to figure out what is worthwhile and what isn't.

Obviously, the more valuable information you can find, the better off you're going to be. However, you don't want to have to spend 90% of your time searching for good advice. But that's why you have us at Sports Betting Insights because we get the fun job of digging through the garbage to find out what can help your overall handicapping strategy.

Not that we're biased or anything, but we feel our Baseball Betting Guide is by far the most comprehensive (and free) baseball handicapping source on the market. However, we know you're always thriving for more information, and trust me, so are we.

Well, there's an interesting series of books entitled Betting Baseball that share some very good information that's written in an easy to understand manner. Typically, they'll produce a new edition every year before baseball season (usually around January).

Each year, they'll normally include everything from the year prior (with updated stats), along with some new information. I would say that each book is about half stats and the other half, more importantly, is baseball handicapping theory and advice.

I would recommend getting the newest version in the series of Betting Baseball books. However, if you can only find one from the prior year, you're still going to get some great information...especially if you're a novice to intermediate baseball handicapper...which is basically who these books are designed for.

In other words, don't worry about it if you can only find one that is a year or two out of date because the handicapping advice is really the soul of the book (all of the stats and data listed can be found at many websites, so it's really not a big deal).

If you can't tell by now, sorry to spill the beans, I am a big proponent of the Betting Baseball series of books. Let's take a look at why I feel they can be a real eye opener to the novice to intermediate baseball handicapper.

As with most sports betting books, they start out with the basics i.e. introduction, money management, reading the line, etc. However, quickly after this, the author(s) jump right into some vital information that is important to know.

They go into detail of a sportsbooks THP (theoretical hold percentage) and what it means to both the sportsbook as well as the bettor. They also cover money line and run line wagers in relative detail and give you line values, as well as turning win percentage into a true line (although there is an error in their calculation...the correct formula can be found in our Handicapping a Baseball Game chapter.

I found the information and data on totals to be very interesting (as long as it's accurate) and will certainly be eye opening to a new baseball handicapper. The importance of factoring platoon splits, along with annual data for each team, is also listed as well.

In fact, there is a relatively large amount of charts (along with a preview explaining the significance) listing umpire statistics, park factors (very important to handicapping), "Overpriced" teams data, home field advantage statistics, etc.

The list can go on and on, but I think you get my point. From there, they go into what they feel are the most important statistics in handicapping a game both on the defensive and offensive side of the ball.

With all of the information they cover, I personally feel the example they give of how to actually handicap a baseball game is going to be the most important information covered in the book. They will take you through step by step, from comparing offense to defense, creating your power ratings, to creating your own line and then determining if there is enough data to make a wager.

It's very rare that you'll find a book or website (except ours of course), that will actually take the time and walk you step by step through the handicapping process. Now everybody does it a little differently, but if you have somewhere to start, you can always refine it to your own philosophy.

I give them very high marks for taking the time and effort to share that information. While the book maybe written for the novice, even the grizzled veteran handicapper can probably learn something as well.

If you couldn't tell by now, there isn't a whole lot I didn't like about the book. As I mentioned earlier, there was an error with one of the formula's, but that is the only data error I found.

With that being the case though, I did not double check every piece of information shared in the book, so I am putting faith in their research. However, it is always a good idea to fact check before relying on any of the charts they have listed (again, there's many websites that also list the same information).

I do know their first few editions contained more errors than I'd like to see, but over the years the data and information they've provided has been very accurate.

Other than this, I don't really have anything else negative to say. It may be a little difficult to read for some because of the calculations and formula's, but I seriously don't think it will take you anytime at all to pick it up. So with that said, let's give you the wrap up.

Yes, I know, you can probably already tell by now that I definitely recommend the Betting Baseball series of books (the newer the better and preferably anyone that is 2009 or later). It's a very good read for any handicapper, but as I've said a few times, it's more designed for the beginning to intermediate type...although I think even the sharp bettor will pick something up as well.

They offer some great charts and stats that are tough to find unless you're tracking them yourself. However, the meat and potatoes lie within the handicapping tips and strategies, particularly in how to create your own line as well as an example of what goes into to handicapping a baseball game.

It's a good read, it's an easy read, and it's a book that you can always reference. Pick it up a couple months before the baseball season begins and I think it'll be a nice addition to your sports betting library.

To order the book from Amazon or read what others are saying, simply click on one of the links on this page. We welcome and encourage all of your comments as well...you can add them in the section below. As always, best of luck in all your sports betting endeavors.

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Betting Baseball 2009 by Hank Myers and Michael Murray

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Betting Baseball 2009
by Hank Myers and Michael Murray