With our eyes and wallets all focused on the second half of the baseball season one very specific, yet very important point in betting baseball that many people overlook is as simple as clicking a button. That one click, or forgotten phrase, at the sportsbook could mean the difference between a win or a loss, but it certainly changes your bet and your mindset.
Always select 'listed pitchers'. When you make a bet on a baseball game, most of the betting public are banking on that day's starting pitcher. You do your research, study trends and stats, and evaluate one starter against another and how he will perform against a certain lineup. We addressed teams struggling against lefties in this column for example, but that strategy gets thrown out the window when there is a late pitching change. There is however a very simple way to avoid that and that is select 'listed pitchers'.
Listed pitchers means the names that are listed to begin the game have to throw the first pitch for your bet to be valid. If you do not pick that option then it becomes 'action', which means if they are pulled pregame your bet is still valid. If the expected starter is scratched with 'listed pitcher' your bet is canceled and the money is deposited back into your account. If you are a smart bettor you will always take the listed option. This puts you in control and your hard work and homework does not go to waste because of a change that you can not predict.
Some of the newer sportsbooks will allow you to choose an option of only one 'listed pitcher', this is a great new addition for those who are banking on their starter and could care less if the other starter is pulled for a lesser option. Not all books offer this because of the obvious player advantage.
So, as we look at the second half we can expect more and more starters being pulled early. There are often trades that will remove the listed pitcher, or call ups, and even the heat concerns. Don't allow this to lose you money this summer, just take 'listed pitcher' and ensure the advantage that you worked hard for is still on your side.