Totals System totally contrarian in SoCal
By Doug Upstone
There isn't a person alive that participates in sports betting, be it a regular individual, wise guy, handicapper or the person on the other side of the counter taking the money that doesn't love believing they have information that is different than most everyone else that can lead to winning sports wager.
This info is contrarian to your typical mainstream material and if you are convinced this places you in advantageous position to cash a winning ticket like few others will, you become more smug than a British Petroleum executive.
Out in Southern California, in the later stages of the afternoon, a very reliable total system will be put to the test when San Diego (59-40, +22.8 units) and Los Angeles (54-47, -2.3) play in a key NL West showdown.
The Dodgers have won five of seven with an offense that can aptly be described as offensive. In L.A.'s last seven trips to the ballpark, they have touched home plate a grand total of 12 times, that is 1.7 times per contest for those lacking a calculator. However, in their five victories the Dodgers pitching staff has four shutouts and permitted two runs in the other contest.
With Manny Ramirez on the DL for a third time, the Los Angeles front office did something to bolster the offense, trading for outfielder Scott Podsednik from Kansas City, who is batting .310 and can still run, having 30 stolen bases. L.A. needs something having one or zero runs on the scoreboard 23 times this season.
The Dodgers lost 6-1 last night to San Diego and trail the Padres by seven games in the loss column. San Diego is no fluke with August just around the corner. The Padres have the best record in the National League and also have the largest run differential in the senior circuit at +94.
Mat Latos (11-4, 2.48 ERA) looks to continue his exceptional pitching streak that has him winning six in a row (The Padres have won his last seven starts) and he has a Major League best 0.80 ERA since June 22.
His mound opponent is Vincente Padilla (4-3, 3.41), whose been nearly as good with 1.04 ERA in his last five outings, with 3-1 record.
Sports betting odds at BetUS.com has this contest at Un 6.5 and if ever a game looked like an Under, this would be it except for this baseball system.
Play OVER on road teams against the total, after scoring one or less runs in a loss to a division rival; with a hot starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.000 or less over his last five starts.
The logic behind this system is simple, the motivated visitor is expected to be extra focused off a loss to division opponent and in this case, the Dodgers could win the series and pick up ground on San Diego. It might be the year of the pitcher, yet historically in this spot, the road hurler has faltered and he and his team have allowed 5.8 runs per game. Over the past five years this total system is distinguished 37-13.
The average total score of these matchups has been 10.7 runs per game, which is 2.3 more runs than the typical line. No doubt these are two teams built for pitching, playing in a ballpark that yields runs sparingly. Could this be another 1-0 game, sure it could based on current form of the two starting pitchers.
Nevertheless, this system provokes a different kind of thinking and a 4-3 or 5-3 contest can certainly not be ruled out. Take some time to study this confrontation and determine if you are a contrarian thinker.