One of the secrets smart baseball bettors understand is when a winning or losing streak has begun. By knowing when a team has peaked or flattened out they can intelligently shop for prices. However, tracking a streak correctly takes patience and the ability to interpret the pattern. (Is a key player hurt or is the bullpen weary?) Thus, it behooves the player to keep records, noting schedule quirks, such a long road trip or return to a comfortable, friendly home stand occurring – and then know how to interpret those records.
The 2006 edition of Killer Sports Major League Baseball Annual (252 pages, plastic spiralbound, $29.95) is one means of recording team and individual performance. Here, not only can the bettor see the schedule (by day, date, location, whether home or away) but there's room to list both starting pitchers, the opening and closing line, final score, number of runs, hits and errors, home runs and men left on base, and additional room should you wish to add additional material about injuries, number of pitchers or whether a key error had an impact on the outcome.
There's a diagram of each team's ballpark, with average number of runs scored by the home team last year compared to opponents, and for the first time in many years, the compiler, Killer Sports (Ed Meyer) includes dozen of trends and angles under categories like Bankroll Builders, Bankroll Burners, Bankroll Booster, Top Side Trends and Top Total Trends.
Some samples: "The Indians are 21-5 over the past two seasons on the road after playing on the road and it is the first game of a series" and "New York (Mets) has not been a good investment as a home favorite over the past couple of seasons. However they have been 'money in the bank' in the first game of a series as home chalk."
The book also contains, for each team listing, the scores, totals, money line, opponent and date played for every 2005 game played, month by month.
The book includes one fascinating essay on Weather Stats, Trends and Phone Numbers, with 20 angles such as "Tim Hudson is 8-1 with a net profit of $710 when the temperature is less than 60 degrees" and "AJ Burnett is 5-0 at home with a net profit of $515 when the temperature is greater than 88 degrees."
Overall, a must-have for the bettor who sees accurate record keeping as a tool of disciplined, controlled wagering.
One final item worth mentioning for baseball is the 2006 Who's Who in Baseball (350 pages, paperbound, $9.95), which contains lifetime records of more than 750 players, including photos of each. The guide lists their birth date, where they were born, minor and major league statistics, post season play and how they moved from team to team, trade, free agency, etc.
This excellent reference source is good for fans, bettors, to settle arguments or as a nice gift item.
Any item reviewed here is available from Gambler's Book Shop (Gambler's Book Club). The store's web site is www.gamblersbook.com. You may order there using MasterCard, VISA or Discover (no CODs please) or by phoning the store any day except Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time at 1-800-522-1777. Orders usually shipped the next working day. The store, now in its 40th year, is located a mile from downtown Las Vegas, a block west of Maryland Parkway, just off Charleston Boulevard at South 11th Street. You may view the store's complete array of books, videos and software via the Web site or request a hard copy of the catalog be mailed free and first class. The store's address is 630 S. 11th St., Las Vegas, NV 89101.
One of the secrets smart baseball bettors understand is when a winning or losing streak has begun. By knowing when a team has peaked or flattened out they can intelligently shop for prices. However, tracking a streak correctly takes patience and the ability to interpret the pattern. (Is a key player hurt or is the bullpen weary?) Thus, it behooves the player to keep records, noting schedule quirks, such a long road trip or return to a comfortable, friendly home stand occurring – and then know how to interpret those records.