2012 MLB O/U Record: 207-200-19, -$1,458 (Been making bigger bets this year, with countless fluke bad breaks, obviously)
2011 MLB O/U Record: 366-270-42, +$1,104
Nothing really of note yesterday, as I went 2-2 and split both best bets while finishing up even. As a result, I was anticipating doing some damage on this Tuesday evening, but surprisingly, there’s not much potential on the card as it pertains to over/unders. Let’s see what I have on tap…
Houston Astros @ Pittsburgh Pirates (Best Bet) - $55 for $50
Lucas Harrell vs AJ Burnett
UNDER 7.5
Yes, I’m staying in Pittsburgh, just as I did last night, for tonight’s best bet, and while I lost that one from anight ago, I was still 100-percent right with the pitcher that I continue to produce with and know well (James McDonald), while losing because of the newer guy on the scene who apparently is not all that dependable yet (Jordan Lyles). Tonight, however, should be a different story, as this Astros/Pirates series features a much more reliable pitching matchup.
Let me start with the much more unknown factor, at least unfortunately to the general consensus, that being Lucas Harrell, who is actually doing quite well for himself in his first full season starting. For those newer readers of mine who happen to catch this write-up, I’ve been praising Harrell all year, as he’s actually become one of my favorite pitchers in 2012. There’s a lot of reasoning behind it, as this is someone who is still being mostly underrated by Vegas, yet continues to contribute solid pitching for the Astros. In fact, Harrell pumped out his first career shutout in his last start in a best bet under of mine against Clayton Richard - following a brilliant seven-inning, one-run, two-hit, nine-strikeout outing versus the Indians - leading me to believe that thef ormer White Sox farmhand has entered the best groove of his entire career. That says something, because as I’ve been pointing out all season, this is someone who was once a top prospect. It’s clear he’s been in the process of finally putting it all together, which shouldn’t be all that surprising because this is someone who had great minor league numbers once upon a time. Finally, he’s received an extended look in the big leagues, and at this point in time, he’s running with that opportunity. The only unfortunate factor, at least as it pertains to Mr. Harrell, is that he’s been much better at home than on the road this year, but I think that’s a trend that will begin to average off. When you’repitching as well as he’s been lately, it doesn’t matter where his assignment is set to take place; he’s in a top rhythm right now and can continue that against the Pirates for six or possibly seven innings.
Opposing him will be the much more consistent and reliable AJ Burnett, who just continues to wow the baseball world. Like Harrell, though, it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone (I,for one, predicted his emergence in 2012, getting away from the mostly moronic fans of New York that completely buried him throughout his Yankees’ tenure), as Burnett has always had terrific stuff, and pitching in pressure-free Pittsburgh (Although the pressure will be building as they continue to contend legitimately) has done wonders for putting him back on the map of relevancy. Burnett is such in a rhythm right now that he’s gone ten straight starts while giving up three runs or less, and eight of those have only seen him yield two runs or less. His strikeout numbers also remain high, while limiting the long balls hit against him, and it’s all added up to a very dominant game-plan from the right-hander. Burnett has already owned the Astros once this year at home - when he gave up only two runs and six hits over eight innings back on May 13 -and since he hasn’t let up since then, you’ve got to believe he gives us something similar to that in effort of securing an under. It’s a matchup of two guys in their groove right now, so hopefully one doesn’t let up and they put us in a good position to win at PNC Park on this Tuesday night in early July.
Other 7/3 MLB Over/Unders I’m Taking:
Dan Haren vs Zach McAllister OVER 9 -$22 for $20
**May Add More Over/Under(s) Throughout Day Leading Up To Gametime**
2011 MLB O/U Record: 366-270-42, +$1,104
Nothing really of note yesterday, as I went 2-2 and split both best bets while finishing up even. As a result, I was anticipating doing some damage on this Tuesday evening, but surprisingly, there’s not much potential on the card as it pertains to over/unders. Let’s see what I have on tap…
Houston Astros @ Pittsburgh Pirates (Best Bet) - $55 for $50
Lucas Harrell vs AJ Burnett
UNDER 7.5
Yes, I’m staying in Pittsburgh, just as I did last night, for tonight’s best bet, and while I lost that one from anight ago, I was still 100-percent right with the pitcher that I continue to produce with and know well (James McDonald), while losing because of the newer guy on the scene who apparently is not all that dependable yet (Jordan Lyles). Tonight, however, should be a different story, as this Astros/Pirates series features a much more reliable pitching matchup.
Let me start with the much more unknown factor, at least unfortunately to the general consensus, that being Lucas Harrell, who is actually doing quite well for himself in his first full season starting. For those newer readers of mine who happen to catch this write-up, I’ve been praising Harrell all year, as he’s actually become one of my favorite pitchers in 2012. There’s a lot of reasoning behind it, as this is someone who is still being mostly underrated by Vegas, yet continues to contribute solid pitching for the Astros. In fact, Harrell pumped out his first career shutout in his last start in a best bet under of mine against Clayton Richard - following a brilliant seven-inning, one-run, two-hit, nine-strikeout outing versus the Indians - leading me to believe that thef ormer White Sox farmhand has entered the best groove of his entire career. That says something, because as I’ve been pointing out all season, this is someone who was once a top prospect. It’s clear he’s been in the process of finally putting it all together, which shouldn’t be all that surprising because this is someone who had great minor league numbers once upon a time. Finally, he’s received an extended look in the big leagues, and at this point in time, he’s running with that opportunity. The only unfortunate factor, at least as it pertains to Mr. Harrell, is that he’s been much better at home than on the road this year, but I think that’s a trend that will begin to average off. When you’repitching as well as he’s been lately, it doesn’t matter where his assignment is set to take place; he’s in a top rhythm right now and can continue that against the Pirates for six or possibly seven innings.
Opposing him will be the much more consistent and reliable AJ Burnett, who just continues to wow the baseball world. Like Harrell, though, it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone (I,for one, predicted his emergence in 2012, getting away from the mostly moronic fans of New York that completely buried him throughout his Yankees’ tenure), as Burnett has always had terrific stuff, and pitching in pressure-free Pittsburgh (Although the pressure will be building as they continue to contend legitimately) has done wonders for putting him back on the map of relevancy. Burnett is such in a rhythm right now that he’s gone ten straight starts while giving up three runs or less, and eight of those have only seen him yield two runs or less. His strikeout numbers also remain high, while limiting the long balls hit against him, and it’s all added up to a very dominant game-plan from the right-hander. Burnett has already owned the Astros once this year at home - when he gave up only two runs and six hits over eight innings back on May 13 -and since he hasn’t let up since then, you’ve got to believe he gives us something similar to that in effort of securing an under. It’s a matchup of two guys in their groove right now, so hopefully one doesn’t let up and they put us in a good position to win at PNC Park on this Tuesday night in early July.
Other 7/3 MLB Over/Unders I’m Taking:
Dan Haren vs Zach McAllister OVER 9 -$22 for $20
**May Add More Over/Under(s) Throughout Day Leading Up To Gametime**