MLB Futures: And The Favorite To Win the 2006 World Series Is…

READ MORE: Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Future Bets, Houston Astros, MLB Betting, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals

The Yankees. Christ. Yes, New York’s overpaid, underachieving goon squad is once again a 6/1 favorite to win the World Series next year according to the oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com. The newly crowned Chicago White Sox and runner-up Houston Astros are at 12/1. Respect.

Other favorites include the Boston Red Sox at 8/1 and those plucky St. Louis Cardinals at 7/1. The turd-dweller of the bunch is the always entertaining Kansas City Royals, who now sit at a health 500/1 to win the World Series. Get your season tickets now!

Sportsbook.com Posts 2006 World Series Odds [PR News Wire]

MLB Betting: Sorry, Astros

READ MORE: Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, Team Of Destiny, World Series Betting

We’ll take the blame for that loss. Seriously. We had all intentions of betting on the Chicago White Sox because we’re cheap, but then we received a belated birthday card in the mail from our grandmother(ka-ching) and, well, you know how it goes. Anyway, with a lead and Roy Oswalt on the mound, it should’ve been wrapped up. If you couldn’t win last night’s game for yourselves, you should’ve won it for Patti Biggio. Once again we took the hit, eating both the -178 and the under at 7 which was destroyed by the 5th inning last night. Now, tonight’s game is -135 for the White Sox. If the Astros are this “Team of Destiny”, a 3-0 deficit is nothing, right? We’re sure Kevin Millar and Johnny Damon are sitting in the Houston clubhouse right now playing euchre and sharing a case of beer. But, to make matters even worse, the White Sox beat writers have gone out and stolen your not-so-clever nickname.

Game of the Day: Chicago at Houston [Covers]
Astros’ Dream Fades on Longest of Nights [Houston Chronicle]

Chopping Lines: Time to Jinx The Astros

READ MORE: Chicago White Sox, Chopping Lines, Houston Astros, World Series Betting

8:00 p.m.

(Chicago leads series 2-0)

Best Line: HOU -178, CHI +176

So, this is bad news for all Houston Astros fans since we’re planning on taking your overpriced team tonight. We won with Oswalt the last time, but our LDS and LCS records were pretty dreadful. However, in addition to the Oswalt factor, we love the Craig Biggio factor. After his wife was slapped by an overzealous White Sox fan, we have to think that he’ll knock in 12 runs this evening and slap Piersynski when he crosses home plate. And that should be enough to defeat Jon Garland. Also, with the betting public making a huge jump over to the side of the White Sox, we always love to go the other direction. So, we’ll take out our high interest pay day loan and go whole hog on Oswalt and the under this evening.

PICK!: HOU -178

MLB Betting: These Men Could Ruin Your Life

READ MORE: Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, MLB, Umpires", World Series Betting

We know the umpires are bound to ruin this series for the Astros. Maybe a blown called third strike, or a questionable foul ball, or perhaps even a misinterpreation of the rules regarding the amount of facial hair legally allowed on one ball club will ultimately stick a flaming trident into the resilient Astros(TOD). But it’s bound to happen. This has become an umpire’s series. Hence, tonight’s game 3 home plate umpire Jerry Layne’s scouting report is worth a look:

“Layne will handle second base in Game One, and take over home plate for Game Three. Layne’s strike zone is inconsistent, and his hot temper has a tendency to turn a bad situation into a disaster.”

The under is 5-1-2 in games that Layne has umped behind the plate against the White Sox and 5-1 in his last six against the Astros. So, we can reasonably see that with an under of 7 sitting on the board right now, a nice 4-2 game is in store for us. However, if we get to game 6, when umpire Angel Hernandez steps behind the plate, well, look out:

“Yuck.not a good umpire. His strike zone has the consistency of a pair of dice, and his bad attitude doesn’t help matters. Nothing is more scary than betting a game where Angel is behind the plate. You simply have no idea what is going to happen when he calls balls and strikes. Hernandez is the first Cuban-born umpire in the majors, so he does have something going for him. He’ll handle Game Six behind the plate. Joe West will be the first base umpire for that game, so be prepared for some type of controversial play that will decide the game and the series.”

Oof. Well, we’re thinking that this definitely means it’ll go six games—and end tragically for the Astros. Maybe -175 on Oswalt tonight isn’t a bad play after all?

Scouting The World Series Umpires [Eye On Gambling]

MLB Betting: Astros’ History Keeps Line Expensive

READ MORE: Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, World Series Betting

We were wondering about why this line was so inflated yesterday(-180 yesterday, -175 currently). As much as we love Roy Oswalt and the idea that the Houston Astros(the “team of destiny”) are bound to keep this series somewhat intriguing. According to some gambling books, the public is driving the line:

“The line is definitely inflated,” says BetCRIS linesmaker Randy Stafford. “It’s a must win for Houston, that’s pretty much why and most of the public sees it that way.”

Trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, Houston can’t afford any slipups against the AL’s top team, who used a walk-off homerun by Scott Podsednik Monday night to grab a commanding two-game lead.

But as any Astros supporter will tell you, it’s not over until the fat lady sings.

Resiliency is Houston’s middle name and it’s what’s given the Astros the strength to stage an improbable climb through the ranks of the NL standings, to capturing the Wild Card and then toppling both the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals.”

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Still seems too expensive. We’re cheap.

Resilient Astros Seeing Inflated Line [Covers]
Oswalt Gets Roy-Al Treatment [Chicago Tribune]

MLB Betting: Is There Any Reason At All To Bet on the Astros?

READ MORE: Betting", Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, MLB Betting, Series, World

Tomorrow night the Houston Astros are heavy -180 favorites against the Chicago White Sox, which seems like a generous number for a team in a death spiral. The number is for Roy Oswalt( the sexiest man alive)and the utter dominance he’s displayed so far in the playoffs. But, given that it seems like everything is going the White Sox way this post-season, we’re a little skeptical about overpaying that much for Oswalt so far. Right now, 55% of the betting public is throwing money at the White Sox which, in most cases, gives the Astros a little bit of an edge. But Jeez, can anybody trust Byung Hyun Lidge anymore? Will Garner pull a Bob Brenly and trot Lidge out to face anybody in clutch situations just because he’s supposed to? We’ll wait and see and, right now, we think it seems pretty obvious we’ll bet on the White Sox, but we’ll see if the number comes down at all tonight and decide tomorrow.
Asros in Deep Hole At World Series After Lidge Loses Again [Covers]

Chopping Lines: The March of the Red Death

READ MORE: Chopping Lines, Houston Astros, NLCS Betting, St. Louis Cardinals

8:05 p.m.

(Astros Lead Series 3-2)

Best Line: STL -145, HOU +146

With all of the smart money being thrown at the Houston Astros, it’s apparent that most people think dodgystarter Roy Oswalt can derail any of the heroic momentum from Monday night sparked by Albert Pujols and the resilient Cardinals. Here’s the thing, however: With Cardinal fans bashing their dopey Thunderstix and getting all misty over what could potentially be the last game at Busch Stadium is it entirely possible that they’ve already given up on the series? Oswalt tonight and Clemens for game 7 doesn’t bode well for the Redbirds. Once again, it’ll be a close game tonight, but if the smart money is on the Astros, that’s where we’ll lay ours. We just hope that crazy Hurricane Wilma doesn’t show up. Or Ugueth Urbina, for that matter.

PICK!: HOU +146

NLCS Betting: Wise Guys Love Oswalt

READ MORE: Houston Astros, MLB Betting, NLCS, St. Louis Cardinals

With the public jumping all over the St. Louis Cardinals and Mark Mulder for tonight’s NLCS tilt-a-whirl, the bookies have all piled on to Houston Astros’ pitcher Roy Oswalt and his +140 underdog price. Not good news for Cardinals’ backers and fans as we know that all that money going one direction usually spells disaster for a team. In gambling terms, of course. However, we cannot overlook the fact that, well, stranger things have happened before. But we also can’t forget the Astros were christened that lovable “team of destiny” early on. We’ll admit that if the Cardinals’ do pull off the comeback in this series we’ll be curious to see if Astros’ knock-out closer Brad Lidge becomes the next Donnie Moore.

Sharps Throwing Cash at Houston Hurler [Covers]
Houston Astros at St. Louis Cardinals [Covers]

Oddjack Betting: Cleaning Out Our Pujols

READ MORE: American Gambling News, Houston Astros, Indianapolis Colts, Oddjack Betting, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams

· We won’t make the mistake of not owning up to our little competition with the king shark over at American Gambling News. We will reluctantly acknowledge the fact that he’s beating us so far in head-to-head competition—for now. Yes, last night’s pick of the Rams at +14 seemed to be working out just fine, until the Indianapolis Colts defense(which is getting as much press as, oh, the ‘85 Bears D right now) started taking over the game. What. The. Fuck. Get Mike Martz off the sidelines and put him in a hermetically-sealed bubble or something. We know that idiot is still tinkering.

· And, ooooh, that must have hurt for all those people who picked the Astros last night. Yow. Worked out for us, actually. Good thing Albert Pujols has a soft spot for dogs.

· The betting public has moved onto the Astros for tomorrow night’s game, however. STL sporting -150 right now. That’s a little too high a number for us against Roy Oswalt—but we could change our minds by the afternoon. Hangover still telling us to pick the Astros.

Chopping Lines: If The Cardinals Don’t Win, Tony La Russa Will Kill This Dog

READ MORE: Cardinals", Chopping Lines, Houston Astros, Louis, MLB Betting, National League Championship Series, St.

8:05 p.m.

(HOU Leads Series 3-1)

Best Line: STL -130, HOU +130

Bad news for St. Louis Cardinals’ fans—the betting public is now throwing heavy money on the chalk line and in these small favorite situations, that usually spells disaster. However, we’re idiots as well and think that Chris Carpenter will once again out-pitch Andy Pettite and Tony La Russa will take out his strike zone frustrations on motivating his team. The Cardinals’ lack of offense is startling and with everything unraveling last night, it appears bleak that they will actually make it back home in time to give Busch Stadium a fitting end. We’re not buying it. This series has to go seven games. Enough of these goddamn short series. We’re almost tempted to even play the run line in this just because we think a pissed off La Russa has to account for something. He just might resort to smacking his players in the dugout if they don’t hit.

PICK!: STL -130

Chopping Lines: Roy Oswalt Shall Make Us Whole

READ MORE: Chopping Lines, Houston Astros, MLB Betting, St. Louis Cardinals

8 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals

Best Line: HOU +140, STL -142

Oh, how we suck at baseball picks. Even though we won that White Sox game last night, well, we still don’t really feel like we won it. We’re sure you know what we mean. So, tonight’s pick means great news for St. Louis Cardinals’ fans as we take our mush MLB picks and once again side with the underdog Astros. We’re always perplexed when Roy Oswalt pitches because of his body type. On paper it says he’s close to six-feet-tall, but when you watch him pitch, it’s like watching one of those half-dwarfs on the mound. Yet, the half-dwarf can dominate and we think Mark Mulder will get shelled tonight. Just a hunch. Look for the Astros bats to strike first tonight and stave off the Cardinals’ offense and their crowds’ new bizarre fascination with Thunder Stix. Honestly, were rally towels getting too expensive?

PICK!: HOU + 140

Chopping Lines: Welcome to Astrodome

READ MORE: Chopping Lines, Houston Astros, MLB Betting, National League Division Series, St. Louis Cardinals

8 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals

Best Line: STL -160, HOU +164

With the concerns over Andy Pettite’s health going into this evening, we’re a little skeptical about hopping on this underdog pick even though we really, really want to. We’re actually trying not to follow our instincts for once when it comes to MLB betting because the results of our flawed logic have led to nothing but one disaster after another. As you may have noticed, our pick last night also went to mush. But tonight we’ll continue to be stubborn and continue to hope for good things. We saw last night that an exhausted team does not neccessarily make a lesser team. Andy Pettite has had strong outings against the Cardinals in three starts—but only one victory. However, we’ll take the Pettite points, wait for more Chris Burke heroics, and let destiny cash us in.

PICK!: HOU +164