While the Toronto Blue Jays did an excellent job in unloading the contract of long-time outfielder Vernon Wells, and the Boston Red Sox landed a couple of key acquisitions in Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford in the American League, the best offseason MLB betting move leading into this year was made in the National League. The Philadelphia Phillies managed to sign Cliff Lee to a five-year, $120-million deal in the offseason, with an option for a sixth year. The deal was worth less than the reported seven-year deal that the New York Yankees offered, but the city and team he left behind from his first stint with the club was enough to convince Lee of where he wanted to play.

Less than a month into the season, and the veteran’s presence with the club is already paying off. A helpless crowd at Nationals Park in the nation’s capital watched as Lee struck out 12 batters over nine innings of shutout ball last week, allowing just three hits in a 4-0 Phillies’ win. The 32-year old had struggled somewhat with his command through his first two starts back in a Philadelphia uniform, but already fans can see the potential he has to help this team, and we are only now reaching the Kentucky derby betting period. Lee is 2-1 with a 4.19 ERA through three games, and after displaying his stuff in the past couple of postseasons, there is every indication that his return to Philadelphia was the best offseason move.

It’s been nearly a week since MLB betting enthusiasts took in the first game of the 2011 regular season, and already there is talk about which rookies could potentially be named as rookie of the year. Remember baseball betting fans, the season is seven months and 162 games long, and a lot can happen between the first and last weeks of the season. With that in mind, here is a look at some of the rookies making progress after week one.

JP Arencibia C Toronto Blue Jays – Going into 2011, the Toronto Blue Jays chose to part ways with veteran catcher John Buck, in hopes of using top catching prospect JP Arencibia behind home plate. Over the last few seasons in the minor leagues, Arencibia has simply put demolished opposing teams from an offensive standpoint, while his defense has gradually progressed.

Thus far in his career, Arencibia has played in two games and has amassed, two home runs, one triple and five runs batted in. Meaning to say, the offensive side of things isn’t really an issue. What’s more, his defense behind the plate has made him appear more like a grizzled veteran than a rookie learning on the job.

Brandon Belt 1B San Francisco Giants – Despite a belief from many, ourselves included that the San Francisco Giants would keep Aubrey Huff at first base during 2011, the team decided that the future is now for top fielding prospect Brandon Belt. Belt like Arencibia is known more for his offense as opposed to his defense. As a result, the Giants, a team based more on pitching than offense, felt it was time to bring their best fielding prospect on board, and shipped Huff to the outfield. Belt is off to an okay start, but in reality, if the Giants want to contend, Belt will need to pick up the offensive load.

The March Madness betting tournament allows baseball handicappers the opportunity to reflect on all of the offseason moves entering the 2011 regular season. This offseason, after missing the playoffs for the second time in three years, the Boston Red Sox made certain that on paper it wouldn’t happen again in 2011. Here is why the Boston Red Sox will win the 2011 sports betting online World Series.

This offseason, the Boston Red Sox made two of not only the biggest, but most important moves to help a team win a World Series. Firstly, the Red Sox traded away parts of their future to the San Diego Padres, in order to acquire another home run hitter in Adrian Gonzalez. Gonzalez has been a main stay in San Diego for most of his career, and has long been considered as a fantastic player suffering on a bad team. Now that Gonzalez is playing first base with the Boston Red Sox, he has the opportunity to really show off his talents. What’s more he only has a year left on his current contract and it appears all he wants to do is win a World Series this year.

Secondly, after strengthening the infield, the Red Sox then went out and acquired former Red Sox killer, Carl Crawford. Crawford, a player that became expendable in Tampa Bay thanks to the emergence of Desmond Jennings, was able to receive the biggest contract of his career at seven years $162 million. Crawford is one of the most competitive players in the entire MLB, and after years of being on losing Rays squads, finally has a chance to be a part of a dynasty.

While the Gonzalez and Crawford acquisitions will help on the field, the addition of Bobby Jenks to the bullpen will strengthen the back end. Last season, Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard struggled mightily as the closer and setup man for Boston. However, this year with Jenks in the fold, you can expect both players to bring their A games all season long.

World Series odds are out for this year’s Fall Classic between Texas and San Francisco, and this is the third time in 20 years that a team from the Eastern Time Zone isn’t represented. The Rangers are -135 favorites in their first-ever appearance in the World Series, while the Giants are rated at +115 to win their first championship since 1954.

The Rangers beat the New York Yankees in six games behind an offense that average over six runs per game, led by ALCS MVP (and probable American League MVP) Josh Hamilton. The Rangers also have a bonafide ace in Cliff Lee, who was a beast against the Yankees, which may lead to a giant contract offer coming in from New York.

The Giants beat Philadelphia in six games, although it was a much closer series than the ALCS. Cody Ross took the NLCS MVP with three homers, but it’s the pitching that really got the Giants to where they are. Tim Lincecum was nothing short of phenomenal in his two duels with Philadelphia ace and the man that will likely replace him as the Cy Young winner, Roy Halladay, but the rest of the staff stepped up as well.

The Rangers are favored as World Series betting odds will tell you, but the Giants have won nine of their last 10 against Texas since 2000. It’s going to be a matchup of hitting (Texas) against pitching (San Francisco), so this is going to be interesting for sports betting players to wager on.

For the most up-to-date odds click here

PayPerHead.com, an online sportsbook service provider for local agents, today unveiled a new campaign featuring Vince Curatola, Johnny Sack of The Sopranos fame.

The campaign leads with Vince asking “Five bucks per head, that’s what I wanna pay…” and the website, featuring video and voice overs by Vince, walks you through the product, the process and the competition.

“Five bucks a head is really an industry first given our level of service,” a spokesman from PayPerHead.com explained. “And we very carefully and in great detail delineate on the website exactly what you get and at what price level at PayPerHead versus the other serious players, such as ABC Per Head.”

You get a great deal of sports betting services, including not only the traditional online sportsbook but an optional casino, live poker, in game live betting, mobile betting, tools for managing players and their funds, layoff and scalp accounts, even a “sharp check.” “We have the sharpest lines out there and one of the most experienced stages anywhere offshore,” the spokesman said, “so if we start seeing sharp action from one of your players, we can give you a heads up. What you want to do with him is up to you.”

The choice of Vince Curatola was an interesting one. “We always liked Vince’s character on The Sopranos, as John “Johnny Sack” Sacramoni,” the PayPerHead spokesman said. “He had a certain style, classy, but not over the top; there’s a calmness and authority about him that we really admire.  He brings that serious business demeanor to PayPerHead.com, the first sportsbook-service to EVER feature any kind of celebrity in its marketing.”

With post-up books like BetUS, Sportsbook.com and SportsInteraction stopping taking US players, Bodog and others struggling with “Ecom” processing problems, the street scene is heating up and players are posting daily in forums looking for a “local out.” Most players want the huge selection of markets, including live in-game betting, and the convenience of anytime betting online or via a mobile device, but more and more, we hear players say “they want to bet online but want to settle in cash on Monday.”

Many in the industry think this is the future of online sports betting – and it very well could be. And with firms like PayPerHead.com investing in marketing in an unprecedented way (celebs, who’d have thunk it?!) and in product (they also offer live poker, casino and in-game betting), expect to see this sector grow significantly this season.

For more information, see PayPerHead.com.

World Series betting fans that had the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants facing off in the finals must be jumping for joy as the two Cinderella teams of the league are set to duel it out later today. The Texas Rangers have long been considered one of the jokes of the MLB, as not only had they never won a World Series going into 2010, but they had also never won a playoff series. Conversely, the San Francisco Giants were a team that couldn’t hit, but could always make things close and deserved a better fate. Now with both team’s battling for supremacy, who will be the finals MVP? Here are three possible candidates for MLB betting enthusiasts to consider.

• Cliff Lee Texas Rangers - Since being traded for the third time in two years, Lee has been absolutely lights out. Right now it appears Lee is playing for a long term contract as he is sick of moving from city to city. Nevertheless, Lee has been able to help the Rangers this season, going undefeated in four appearances. What’s more he’s been lights out in each of his seven post season appearances. When he pitches, the Rangers offense seems to get the confidence boost it needs and gives Lee five runs of support each time. If the Rangers win, his dominance should be the reason he gets the MVP.

• Tim Lincecum Giants - Lincecum started his playoff debut this year with a two hit 14 strikeout domination of the Atlanta Braves. Since then it appears that the man known as the ‘Freak’ has only improved. What’s more, to close out game six against the Phillies, Lincecum came in to setup Brian Wilson for the series win.

• Brian Wilson Giants - Has there been another clutch performer like Giants closer Brian Wilson? In all of his appearances these playoffs, Wilson has been able to shut down the opposition. It may sound basic, but just going in for an inning and being lights out gives the rest of your team dddthe confidence you need to win a World Series.

Do you have a bet that you would love to make, but you can’t find any poker websites or casino to book it? If so, you are in luck. Investigate the world of odds trading and expand your gambling universe to new levels. With the right betting exchange, any bet you imagine is a possibility.

Making Bets Through Odds Trading

The way odds trading works is simple. You think of a bet and determine what you think would be fair odds for that bet. Depending on which side of the bet you want, you go to an online betting exchange and post the bet and the odds you wish to lay or to get. Other people go onto the site, look at the available bets, and if they like your offer, they accept. You then have a bet which is as valid as if you had bet directly with an online bookmaking site.

Types of Odds Trading Bets You Can Make

If you can put odds on it and it is legal, you can probably post the bet online. You can request 10-to-1 odds on which player will be the next to be incriminated in a steroid scandal or offer 12-to-1 to anyone who wants to take the St. Louis Rams to make the football playoffs this year. All you have to do is set up an account, create a bet and put up your money. With the sheer volume of eager bettors out there, there is a good chance that if you have created a reasonable bet, you will find a taker, or someone willing to negotiate with you to create the bet that you want.

Advantages and Disadvantages to Odds Trading

The good thing about odds trading is that you are not subject to the whims of the casino or sportsbook regarding what odds you can give or get and what bets you can make. The downside is that you have no protection. If you make a bad bet and have to pay for it, that’s on you. On the other hand, if you have a way to get an edge, there’s nothing to stop you from taking advantage of it.

Last night MLB betting enthusiasts were able to see a Bob Gibson like performance, in Cliff Lee’s dominating win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Lee made many fans betting on the Texas Rangers to win the World Series, confident, as the Rangers finished off their first round series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Lee along with several key errors by the Rays sealed the five to one victory. However, before Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers can make it to the third round World Series against someone from the National League they will have to knock off the New York Yankees.

Going into the playoffs, we suggested, that the Philadelphia Phillies would win the World Series for several reasons, but one in particular. That reason was that the team which came out of the American League would be exhausted from the first two series they would have to play against their fellow American League rivals.

As it stands, the Texas Rangers took the longest to complete a series in the first round, needing all five games. For the reason that the Yankees only took three games and they are the defending World Series Champions, not many are giving the Rangers a chance to win the second round series.

However, for the breeders cup betting fans that take the regular season into account, writing off the Rangers is not an option. There is no such thing as betonline.com scam - the Rangers were one of the most successful teams against the Yankees, sweeping them at two separate occasions. What’s more, the Rangers pitching has been brilliant thus far in October, leading the majors with 54 strikeouts in five games. Look for the Rangers to make it an interesting series and possibly win it outright in seven games.

Conversely, in the National League, many fans believe the second round conference championship, is just a formality as the Philadelphia Phillies cruise to another World Series in the last three years. But if anyone truly watched the San Francisco Giants Atlanta Braves series, you would have discovered that the Giants are a much tougher team to deal with. Look for the series to be low scoring and for the Giants to push the Phillies much more than the Reds did.

Of all the sports to bet on, baseball is the trickiest to show a profit in. Whether you are a new or regular MLB betting fanatic, you will find that there are more peaks and valleys in the 162 regular season than in any other sport. The difference between the good teams and the bad ones is that the good teams go through more peaks than valleys. Here is a look at the baseball betting favorite system which takes teams with a 470 win percentage or greater into consideration.

The main premise of the system, requires handicappers to consider teams with a 470 or greater winning percentage and a – 110 money line favorite odds at home after losing its last three games as a home favorite. In this situation, we have found that the home team accumulates a record of 24 – 13 in games following the three home losses. Of the 13 losers, we found nine of the teams rebounded in the game after the system failed.

If you continued to back the home team after a system loss, your record would be 33 – 17 overall. This would be as a result of the nine teams coming up with a win in the game after the system loss.

What’s more, some bettors attempted an alternative approach to the baseball betting favorites system. These bettors used a doubling up mentality in which they treated each game as a win or a loss individually. No betonline com scam here, these handicappers were able to go an astounding 37 wins and zero losses under the system guidelines.

Looking further into this alternative method, you would discover that of the teams that formed the 37 win record, one team only needed four tries before finding the victory. However, chasing losses is not something we promote, as you will rarely show a profit in the long run.

MLB betting seasons are twice as long as any other sports wagering season, as teams play back to back as a rule rather than the exception. Baseball betting fans have come to understand that in a seven month season, the likelihood of revenge games taking place is more common than in any other sport. Today we look at the two types of baseball betting revenge systems, which have been on display this past season.

One of the keys to the revenge systems is determining when a team will be up to defeat another team. In some cases a team will be humiliated, with a blowout defeat, while in others they will manage to lose a heart breaker and then bounce back the next game.

• Quick Revenge System – The quick revenge system as the name suggests, happens almost instantaneously. Commonly, fans can expect to see a home team have a letdown in the opening game of a series where they lead the whole game only to lose by three in the bottom of the ninth.

When this occurs, the home team usually comes back harder than ever in the second game, to show that they won’t be humiliated in back to back games. The stipulation we look for in the second game, is that the home team is favored in the second game. Reason being, that we want to make sure that our team is comparable if not better in ability than the team that pulled out the victory the night before.

• Long Term Revenge System – The Baltimore Orioles in their current matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays are proving that long term revenge actually does exist. How this works, is that a team will be swept by another team months prior and then will win at least one game in the return series a few months down the road.

In the Blue Jays versus Orioles series taking place currently, the Blue Jays went into Monday night’s game having won 12 of the 18 possible matches. Yet on Monday and then again last night, the Orioles bounced back at home taking the first two of the three game series.