I know it may not seem like it in many parts of the US and Canada but spring is just around the corner and in the world of Baseball, catchers and pitchers are already reporting to camp. This year, the oddsmakers like a few of the usual suspects and they have welcomed in a few new teams into the realm of the MLB favorites.
I want to take my pure MLB pick-maker hat off for a moment and exchange it for a betting advisor hat. A lot of bettors who read my picks wonder why I often (though not always) discuss MLB matchups a day or more in advance and not during game time — like when I make Sunday Night Baseball Picks.
Handicapping early season baseball requires a slightly different approach from the rest of the season, as well as a unique approach from any other sport. Baseball also has a vast amount of information available, much more than any of the other three major sports. In fact, successful baseball wagering requires bettors to know pitching match-ups, streaks/trends, line-up changes, travel situations, etc.
MLB | Aug 19
John Martin Picks
Florida Marlins vs. San Francisco Giants
1 Unit on Florida Marlins -135 (Listing Nolasco and Correia)
Florida will kick it in gear in this series with the lowly San Francisco Giants. The Marlins are coming off a couple tough series against the Cardinals and Cubs, but they catch a break getting the terrible Giants when they are in desperate need of wins as we near the end of the season. Ricky Nolasco has been the Marlins’ most consistent starter, posting an 11-7 record and 3.88 ERA on the season. Kevin Correia has faced the Marlins twice in his career, going 0-1 with a 12.97 ERA.
