Saturday's look at Mitch Keller's sinker paid some dividends in an interesting way to play what turned out to be a pitchers' duel in Pittsburgh. Today we stay focused on starting pitching with young starting pitchers who are steadily moving forward in their major league career progressions. So let's head…
What else can you say about last week's battle at Pocono? Let alone the course of events that shook out a couple hours after Denny Hamlin completed his burnout and popped his bottle of bubbly. Just another week on the Cup Series circuit, right? When it comes to the on-track…
Here I am on the fence once again. Gotta admit that I like writing about the tricky handicaps more than the ones that carry higher conviction though. Thursday's edition highlighted an unsung starting pitcher against one of the more prolific lineups in the league. Now the MLB Morning Breakdown for…
Today's short MLB slate left more questions than answers as far as I'm concerned. Can Philly's bats support Wheeler as a 2/1 favorite? Will the Red Sox get out of their own way for a change? And the most interesting question among Thursday's games will be answered in the Bronx…
Although our good friend Paul's Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast is still on hiatus, we continue to plug away at betting the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. That said, there is a growing NASCAR handicapping community on Twitter and other outlets providing a ton of quality content and betting insights.…
The MLB second half is off and running after Friday night's display of prolific run production. We see you Toronto and Chicago! Talk about some pent up lineups around the league - except for a pair of teams with postseason trajectories that played to a 4-1 finish at the expense…
The short and sweet All-Star Break left JJ & Yanni with no choice: jump on a pod with Big Tasty and D-Nice to talk Major League Baseball's first half and futures bets as the season heads down the stretch. You know The BetCrushers Team is in good hands with these…
The clock is ticking on the first half of the 2022 MLB season with the All-Star Break just a couple days away. This means a break from daily handicapping while providing some time to take a step back to look at the league. I'd lay odds that D-Nice will have…
The MLB Morning Breakdown for 7-12-2022 comes at you after a disappointing - yet not surprising - failure to produce runs in Chicago. It sure seemed like a good idea at the time...what more can I say? And in full disclosure, today's Solo Shot does not have my money behind…
All I can say about yesterday's handicap is that I am thanking my lucky stars for Josh Naylor being in the lineup. Not that he made a huge impact in the Guardians' blowout victory as much as he was my trigger point to play the over. More importantly, Naylor's availability…
The BetCrushers Team's prodigal son returns to writing with the MLB Morning Breakdown for 7-9-2022. Overseas vacation is over. Anniversary is in the books. And despite the day job having a firm stranglehold around my neck, I'm back to what I truly enjoy: breaking down some sweet MLB action. As…
The MLB Morning Breakdown for 6-25-2022 gets me back in the writing game after a week away from the keyboard. What can I say...when the day job has a firm grip on your throat, you have to buckle down and TCB. Not that my betting results have been anything to…
JJ@BC The MLB Morning Breakdown for 6-18-2022 drops with a pair of handicaps on this windy Saturday morning. Despite staying ahead of the market since my last post on June 14th, I gave some back to the gambling gods this week after returning from vacation (holy LOB, Boston!). Not to…
JJ@BC It might have been shaky here and there, but coming home to sweat a first 5 inning under ended up being the right move. Legitimate threats by each team in the early innings fortunately resulted in a 1-1 tie after the 5th, making my half-unit dip back into the…
JJ@BC As great as vacation can be - which last week's trip to the Azores certainly was - there's no place like home. Especially when you've spent a week in a nation that blocks access to gambling websites! The things we do to get away, right? Despite being sleep deprived…
JJ@BC With two days left to grind out profit before I head overseas, the MLB Morning Breakdown for 6-3-2022 delivers a Friday Solo Shot after nickel and diming my way through the week. Thankfully I was not awake to watch the Brewers score 4 runs in the bottom of the…
JJ@BC We've made it just about two months into the 2022 MLB season with more victories than battle scars. That's testament to a ton of offseason prep, grinding through daily handicapping, and undoubtedly a friendly kiss from Lady Luck. I jumped on a pod with D-Nice, braintrust of the Wager…
JJ@BC With just one week left before leaving the country, it's almost like I'm in one of those money booths with cash swirling around. How much can I grab before the thing shuts off and my 10-day hiatus kicks in? While I joke, my MLB betting has maintained a positive…
JJ@BC Monday's extra-innings nail biter in St. Louis somehow, some way kept the positive momentum rolling. It rolled right into...a day off from handicapping yesterday. That break from betting on baseball left me plenty of time to gear up for a special three man production to cover today's action. The…
JJ@BC Talk about one hell of an "engaging" Sunday on the diamonds. And somehow I made it out the other side unscathed. A couple serious sweats in the 5th inning of both first 5 innings positions and a Coors Field under resulted in one near-miss push and three half-unit Ws.…
JJ@BC Many thanks to Big Tasty for hosting our five-game Friday night livestream breakdown. And give a tip of the cap to Tasty for his call on the Texas Rangers - at my expense, mind you! Still, Friday & Saturday treated us decently despite the Astros setback so we roll…
JJ@BC The MLB Morning Breakdown for 5-20-2022 is far from a morning production today as I jumped on with Big Tasty for an afternoon live stream. We last joined forced at the beginning of May for an excellent show with some nice results. Can we put our heads together for…
JJ@BC Despite bombing my featured handicaps while on the road last week, I have NOT yet been exiled from The BetCrushers Team. Yanni kept me around because I kept firing Sunday & Monday and got things back on track for the crew. Admittedly, I rushed some of my handicaps last…
JJ@BC The MLB Morning Breakdown for 5-14-2022 drops late this morning off of a disappointing loss with the Orioles. Disappointing not so much in Eduardo Rodriguez' good outing but with Baltimore leaving the bases loaded in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. The O's 14 men left on base is…
JJ@BC Who would have thunk that four days days of golf and hiking would leave me next to no time to write up handicaps? No worries on your end, however, as Monday through Thursday was about as close to a break-even chop as can be. I've finally made the jump…
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, especially those who gave birth to the nightmare known as The BetCrushers Team. Especially the mothers of our wives who keep us in check. Speaking of keeping in check, we skated by with the Rays first 5 inning wager while cruising…
Imagine thinking that Wednesday night's Bundy-Bradish matchup was going to be a pitcher's duel. That's where I left off, dropping the Twins game and watching my ROI slip into a more reasonable level. The day job has been punishing enough but today we head south to kick back and hit…
First off, I owe our loyal readers an apology - a two-fold one. 1) Pablo's bad day on Monday and my overconfidence in the Marlins. 2) Getting sabotaged by the day job early Tuesday AM, sinking my plans for an article. The day job also poses a high likelihood that…
Don't you love it when a plan comes together? Many thanks to Big Tasty for sparing me from writing yesterday morning by bringing me on his show. It was a good time breaking down five games on the Sunday slate - two of which we took positions on, yielding a…
The Cubbies had me fooled Friday morning and sure I paid the price. Combined with another half-unit loss at Coors Field, those two losses ate the Mets' profit plus a little bit of my bankroll. At least Friday's action did not yield an 0-3 whoopin. After a day off from…
When the Tigers failed to plate the tying run in the 5th yesterday afternoon, I thought of what could have been for my first 5 inning dog bet. Then the Twins piled on 4 more runs in the bottom half of the inning and that thought turned to "damn I…
"Maybe Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez are breaking out of their slumps. Maybe it’s a mirage." Perhaps I invoked just enough mojo in yesterday's edition to get the Astros over the first 5 inning hump last night and cash our ticket. Certainly a sweaty one, but isn't that the way…
Day jobs, man. After skipping the Tuesday edition, the MLB Morning Breakdown for 4-27-2022 drops after an unfortunate loss Monday night with the Mets first 5 innings bet. Props to Miles Mikolas for going toe to toe with Max Scherzer and delivering a 0-0 tie after the 5th. That said,…
My wife said I got lucky with that one. I beg to differ. The Rays rallied for Shane McClanahan and delivered a first 5 inning winner that kept our nice little winning streak rolling. After enough years of doing this, I know how important it is to stockpile some ammo…
Saturday brought us some good news with a side of bad news in the form of a 1-1 split. Fortunately, the full-unit position on Dylan Bundy and the Twins first 5 innings cruised to the finish line. On the other hand, Toronto and Houston failed to deliver a single run…
The weekend is here as is the MLB Morning Breakdown for 4-23-2022 after a fantastic Friday that arguably could have been better. I got a little greedy with the Mets -1 run line that left me with a push in Phoenix after the bullpens took over. Never fear, as profits…
It's a good day for a Friday edition of the MLB Morning Breakdown for 4-22-2022 fresh off back-to-back feature winners. That may be a low bar, but it's my bar and the money is moving in the right direction after two weeks into the season. Carlos Carrasco's 7.2-inning gem got…
I'd say that the San Diego Padres made the under a little more interesting than it needed to be. But a win's a win - even if it was just a half-unit total. On that note, the MLB Morning Breakdown for 4-21-2022 comes at you super early due to a…
The MLB Morning Breakdown for 4-20-2022 returns after a quick break due to my work schedule. Back-to-back long days at the office sandwiched a very disappointing loss with the manufactured -1 run line on the Rays. Shane McClanahan dazzled but, in my opinion, Monday night's game ball went to Keegan…
Saturday's trio of one-run results left me with a -1.25-unit giveback day - a finish that was much better than I expected after a fast and furious start to the 2022 season. Tampa gave us a run for the +120 money with bases loaded in the 9th though my manufactured…
A run in the 9th sinks the Colorado under while the Mets and Marlins fuel a winning day - one that made up for Thursday's loss and adds more ammo to the bankroll. But that could be all for not as I load 'em up with a three-play Saturday in…
The Gausman-Severino main event in the Bronx proved to be quite the pitching duel amongst two high-powered offenses last night. The Jays first 5 inning position also proved to be an L for us, but at least one of the half-unit variety. Lineup uncertainty led to my limited exposure early…
Make it two days in a row now that our Solo Shot hit a very sketchy patch. This time, it was Max Scherzer loading the bags full of Phillies in the 1st. Mad Max somehow took care of business while the Mets' bats kept their end of the bargain. That's…
When the man is dialed in, the man is dialed in. Shane Bieber had the mojo rocking for as long as I needed him to against my Cincinnati Reds, making for a quick first 5 inning scoop. First 5 ringer Mr. Pig had a great breakdown of the same wager…
I must admit that things got a little sketchy when Alek Manoah's mechanics went south on me last night in the 3rd. But Toronto' defense had his back and George Springer took care of the scoring as the Blue Jays deliver the W. With immense gratitude to Bo Bichette's fielding…
The MLB Morning Breakdown for 4-11-2022 drops after one hell of an Opening Weekend. Not necessarily my betting results - although I'm far from upset with the season's start - but the amount of action and sweaty bets I got to watch play out. Especially when it came to the…
After yesterday's outbreak of low scoring games we had to put our research team of Yanni and D-Nice on the case. They've run multiple statistical analyses and made the executive decision to bet the under in every MLB game today. This should be interesting. As for me, I'm ready to…
Getting walked off by the Yankees yesterday afternoon wasn't the best follow up to a decent Opening Day for our featured handicaps. Is it time to start firing on -200 favorites until I'm blue in the face? Not a chance! The MLB Morning Breakdown for 4-9-2022 rolls in with cash…
Download Episode 5 of 2022 (Martinsville) The Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast is back - just in time for Paul to spare JJ from another 1-2 betting week. Richmond was interesting to say the least - high tire wear, very few yellow flags, and pit strategy galore. Joey Logano found…
After a successful special edition to usher in the 2022 season, we shift gears into a routine with the MLB Morning Breakdown for 4-8-2022. Opening Day reminded many of us just how sweaty baseball games can be. Granted, my getting cute with the Guardians first 5 inning bet cost me…
It's time, boys and girls. For a while there looked to be no end in sight for the winter lockout. And here we are: Opening Day. I'm pumped to get things going with Opening Day 2022 handicapping for the remaining seven games on Thursday's slate. For our new followers -…
There's one small problem that comes with rolling out divisional previews on the early side in an offseason like this. Quite a few impact trades and free agent signings occurred after the early editions were published and my win total bets were booked. So with Opening Day right around the…
Although there's no Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast this week, we still dug into the 2022 Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway for betting angles. It's the first points-paying short track race of the season so we're dealing with yet another first with this Next Gen ride. The Clash at…
I saved the best for last. The World Series Champion Atlanta Braves brought the hardware back to the NL East after a slow start to the season. It was impressively opposite of the Mets' summer swoon that landed them with a below-.500 record behind the sneaky Phillies. There's a ton…
Download Episode 4 of 2022 (COTA) Episode 4 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast heads to the Lone Start State for the 2022 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix! JJ joins Paul after an off week from the pod (life can be like that) to look ahead at a DRY Circuit…
I owe a lot to the AL West for being our preseason futures cash cow once again as the Houston Astros picked up where they left off in the 2020 postseason. The division title got very interesting down the stretch as Oakland's second-half fizzle coupled with an overlooked Seattle club…
Not only was the AL East home to a fierce battle between the Yankees and Red Sox, it bore three playoff teams come October. Once the Tampa Bay Rays sealed their second straight division title it was a mad dash for the wild card slots. Toronto's late surge was worthy…
The Minnesota Twins entered the 2021 season with high hopes of a third consecutive AL Central crown. Reality proved to be quite the bear for the defending champs from the get-go. Instead of a repeat, the Twins cratered to the bottom of the heap while the Chicago White Sox completed…
Milwaukee's success, paired with divisional foes who struggled to keep pace down the stretch, resulted in the NL Central's third different champion in as many years. St. Louis's sluggish start made it that much more difficult for the Cardinals to chase down the Brewers, though they certainly made a valiant…
When it came to taking down one of the toughest divisions in the majors, San Francisco defied the odds and showed that old dudes can still get it done. Out of nowhere, the Giants - not the Padres - disrupted the Dodgers' eight-year reign over the NL West. But the…
Download Episode 3 of 2022 (Phoenix) Episode 3 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast heads to picturesque Phoenix Raceway for the 2022 Ruoff Mortgage 500. JJ joins Paul to talk intense battles and pit strategies in Vegas and how our handicaps fared last week. What have we found out…
Download Episode 2 of 2022 (Las Vegas) Episode 2 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the 2022 Pennzoil 400! But first, JJ joins Paul on the show to recap the final race on Auto Club's 2-mile oval. The guys talk wrecked cars,…
Download Episode 1 of 2022 (Auto Club) Episode 1 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast makes its post-Daytona kickoff for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. JJ joins Paul to handicap their favorite head-to-head matchups before qualifying begins for the 2022 Wise Power 400! Daytona showed us that the…
The start of the NASCAR Cup Series season is so close you can smell it! A unique short track Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum unofficially kicks things off on Sunday, February 6th. Of course, the start to the points season is marked by the epic Daytona 500 two weeks…
Download Episode 37 (Phoenix - NASCAR Cup Series Championship) It's Championship Week on Episode 37 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast! Four teams are still alive, but it all comes down to Phoenix to decide the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. JJ joins Paul on the show to look…
Download Episode 36 (Martinsville) Episode 36 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast takes you to the penultimate race of the NASCAR Cup Series season - the 2021 Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway! The high-speed intermediates give way to contact-filled short track racing in the final race of the Round…
Download Episode 35 (Kansas) Episode 35 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast heads to the Midwest for the second-to-last chance for a playoff team to lock themselves into the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix. Sunday's 2021 Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway rewards speed and a little…
Download Episode 34 (Texas) Episode 34 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast rolls on with just eight playoff drivers remaining in hunt for the Cup Series Championship. The Round of 8 begins in the Lone Star State with the 2021 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Four…
Download Episode 33 (Charlotte Roval) Episode 33 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast rolls into Charlotte with a head of steam for the 2021 Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The hybrid road course threatens elimination to four playoff drivers who will not join the Cup…
Download Episode 32 (Talladega) Episode 32 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast takes you to the biggest crapshoot in the NASCAR Playoffs - the 2021 YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway! The Joe Gibbs Racing vs. Hendrick Motorsports heavyweight battle took a one-sided turn at Las Vegas last week but…
Download Episode 31 (Las Vegas) Episode 31 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast takes you to the first race of the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 12 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Sin City welcomes a stacked playoff field to town for a Sunday evening showdown at the 2021 South…
Download Episode 30 (Bristol) Episode 30 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast takes you to the first elimination race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs - the 2021 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. After it’s all said and done Saturday night, only 12 Championship contenders…
Download Episode 29 (Richmond) Episode 29 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast keeps the playoff vibes rolling with a preview of the 2021 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway. Paul welcomes in his guest JJ from The BetCrushers to look back at the wild race that was the Southern…
Download Episode 28 (Darlington) Episode 28 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast kicks off the NASCAR Cup Series postseason at Darlington Raceway for the 2021 Cook Out Southern 500. The playoff field of 16 is set and four teams will be eliminated after the next three races. But first, Paul welcomes…
Download Episode 27 (Daytona) Episode 27 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast dials in on the final race before the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. One final postseason berth is on the line Saturday night under the lights at the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. As always, Paul…
Download Episode 26 (Michigan) Episode 26 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast heads to the Irish Hills of Michigan for the 2021 Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway! Paul welcomes his recurring guest JJ to help break down the race - but first, as always, it’s time to look back…
Download Episode 25 (Indy Road Course) Episode 25 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast dives into the 2021 Verizon 200 at The Brickyard. The Brickyard 400 may be a thing of the past, but the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course plays host to the NASCAR Cup Series Sunday afternoon. JJ joins…
Download Episode 24 (Watkins Glen) Episode 24 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast gets you back on the road - the road course at Watkins Glen International, that is. The 2021 Go Bowling at The Glen is our first NASCAR action in two weeks, so you know that Paul and JJ…
The real world outside of sports and handicapping throws us plenty of curveballs, so I'll leave it at that to answer where I have been the last couple days. On a positive note, my OG baseball handicapping mentor reached out Monday morning after a few months since we last connected.…
An insane flurry of activity leading up to Friday afternoon's trade deadline kicked off a big weekend of baseball action as the gap between the haves and have-nots expectedly grew wider. My request for runs from the Detroit Tigers that same evening went unfulfilled as Matt Harvey kept his streak…
There are a few guys in the game today who can make you shake your head in confusion while cracking up laughing. Johnny Cueto is king of that hill for me. Of course I am biased as a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan. And when it came to yesterday's rubber match…
We escaped Monday's action unscathed after the Royals squeezed out enough to cover the first 5 inning total while falling just short of the full game total. Three homers and a timely RBI double should have been good enough to pull it off but the solo bombs weren't strong enough.…
After a two-day hiatus from handicapping, betting, and writing about baseball, the MLB Morning Breakdown for 7-26-2021 is back. The bar is low for my excuses to take occasional days off during the second half of the season - and this time it was a quick trip out of town…
The decision to not lay up yesterday afternoon and go for the green turned out to be a profitable move. All that came despite an added sweat from the Detroit bullpen. We walked away with a birdie and hit the ground running with the MLB Morning Breakdown for 7-23-2021. Friday's…
Tuesday's mixed bag produced a no harm, no foul push as the Houston offense woke up to rebuff my request to Make Unders Great Again. So much for that. After taking Wednesday off from article writing, the MLB Morning Breakdown for 7-22-2021 is back with an afternoon solo shot that…
The MLB Morning Breakdown for 7-20-2021 returns after a day away from the game. After all, the "real job" rat race rears its ugly head from time to time. I left off with an overly-optimistic over bet in the Astros/White Sox series finale that unfortunately fell well short. Naturally, I…
So I'm a reformed totals guy now, eh? Despite swearing them off after the 2018 season, I've slowly reincorporated game and team totals into the mix over the past couple years. The White Sox carried the load in Saturday's first 5 innings totals play via three bombs against the Astros.…
No complaints from me with yesterday's Mariners/Angels handicap, perhaps other than underestimating Chris Flexen's production against a good offensive team. His splits away from T-Mobile Park scared me off of the underdog side but the guy pitched 7 brilliant innings of 1-run ball. Seattle's bullpen, on the other hand! Even…
The All-Star Break has come and gone. It should have marked my three-week hiatus from MLB handicapping like I usually do each year. Instead, I could not stay away and broke down the Phillies/Red Sox game on Saturday. The only thing worse than my take on that game was Boston's…
Download Episode 23 (New Hampshire) Episode 23 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast shifts gears after Atlanta, where an improbable win by Kurt Busch cranked up the intensity on the NASCAR Cup Series' playoff hunt. We move from Atlanta Motor Speedway's potholes to New Hampshire's Magic Mile. JJ joins Paul to…
The MLB Morning Breakdown for 7-10-2021 is finally back after close to three weeks on the sidelines! During that time, I had close to five days of internet detox in the Flat Tops Wilderness of Colorado with no cell service and no internet whatsoever. That was a fantastic reset to…
Download Episode 22 (Atlanta) Episode 22 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast returns to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the 2021 Quaker State 400. But first, Paul and JJ have a lot of catching up to do as both are coming in fresh off of their vacations. Last week’s return to…
The MLB Morning Breakdown for 6-22-2021 is missing one thing - the WTF guy with a mullet GIF after I overextended on Sunday. To be honest, I liked all of those positions and have no regrets after the fact. The little things that resulted in plenty of near misses on…
There is plenty to read into Toronto's failure to nail down yesterday's first 5 inning play - including a reversal of perspective on Sunday's betting card. And as a result of a busy schedule today and one of my biggest MLB cards of the season, I have a condensed format…
I must admit that I was sound asleep for last night's Phillies/Giants matchup and have yet to watch the condensed game replay. However, waking up to see San Francisco's Goldilocks approach to their team total suits me just fine. They hit their 5 run mark in the 5th inning and…
The MLB Morning Breakdown for 6-18-2021 is back in action after a brief mid-week hiatus. I'm cramming it in at work in advance of a trip to Colorado starting next weekend - so note that the Breakdown will be on a long break from June 27th - July 6th. In…
Download Episode 19 (Nashville) Episode 19 of the Playing the Odds NASCAR Style podcast heads to the Music City for the inaugural Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. But first, Paul welcomes in JJ to talk fun-and-games at the All-Star Race - or was it? The points race is back on after the…
I had to put a rush on the MLB Morning Breakdown for 6-15-2021 due to some scheduling issues. So to avoid missing a second straight day, I've compromised detail for speed to get this out before heading out the door. After a good weekend on the diamond, here we go…
Weekends are good, but this one has been especially good. Yesterday's bullpen blowup in Philly provided the better lucky than good sweep to guarantee a winning weekend - if I play my cards right. Scared money don't make money as they say, but I also have to respect the tricky…
The weekend is here at last, and could we actually be looking at a full MLB slate without any significant weather impacts? Last night's start to the weekend was a good one, though the Angels' inability to put away the D-backs resulted in a net push in the desert. But…