0-1, Down $13

Wow, another close loss, 3-2. Things will start turning around soon.

Portfolio: $750 (-18.6% return)

S&P 500: $1309 (42.1% return)

Today's Games

None

1-2, Down $22

All the games were close, I just came out on the wrong end one too many times.

Portfolio: $763 (-17.2% return)

S&P 500: $1318 (43.1% return)

Today's Games

Cincinnati (-130) @ San Diego (+110)

In the only game today Travis Wood is matched up against Tim Stauffer. Wood is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA, but he has pitched much better than that. His strikeout to walk ratio is the best in his career but he has gotten unlucky with his left on base percentage. His LOB% so far this year is 51% and his career average is 67%. Stauffer hasn't pitched well this year and he is struggling to miss hitters bats. That can be a problem against a good hitting Reds team looking to take the series.

Bets

$13 CIN -130

0-1, Down $13

Verlander pitched pretty well, but Ogando and the Rangers bullpen pitched better in a 2-0 win as Texas stayed hot.

Portfolio: $785 (-14.8% return)

S&P 500: $1316 (42.9% return)

Today's Games

Oakland (+110) @ Chicago White Sox (-120)

Cleveland (+150) @ Los Angeles Angels (-170)

Toronto (-110) @ Seattle (+100)

In the first game Trevor Cahill is matched up against Edwin Jackson. Both pitchers have gotten off to great starts, but the Chicago offense is a lot better than the Oakland offense. Chicago only scored 1 run last night in a 2-1 loss and I don't see their offense being dormant for two games in a row.

In the second game Fausto Carmona for the red hot Indians is matched up against Dan Haren. Carmona sports an 0-1 record with an ERA of 9.00, but he has pitched a lot better than what those number indicate. He was shelled in his first start, but came back and pitched a gem in his second start. I think his first start was just a product of bad luck as his stuff was good and he was pounding the strike zone (I was at that game). He did the same thing in his second start and threw 7 innings of scoreless 2 hit ball against the Red Sox. His ability to throw strikes and not walk batters does not fare well for opposing hitters as his sinker is one of the best in the game. Haren has also pitched well, but he is facing a Cleveland team that has won 8 in a row with their ace on the mound. I think Cleveland is a great value here at +150.

In the third game Ricky Romero is matched up against top prospect Michael Pineda. Romero has been pretty close to lights out in his first 2 starts as he looks to mature into one of the top lefties in the game. Pineda had a good first career start, giving up 3 runs in 6 innings, and he has the potential to be a great pitcher. The hard thrower tore up the minors the last couple of years, but I look for him to be inconsistent this year. Romero should be able to handle a light hitting Mariners lineup, so the -110 line looks like a steal here.

Bets

$12 CHW -120

$10 CLE +150

$22 TOR -110

2-0, Up $21

Portfolio: $798 (-13.4% return)

S&P 500: $1332 (44.6% return)

Today's Games

Texas (+110) @ Detroit (-130)

In the only game I like today the youngster Alexi Ogando will be making his second career start for the red hot Rangers against fire baller Justin Verlander of the Tigers. Ogando pitched well in his first start, throwing 6 shutout innings. He was really good out of the bullpen last year and has potential to be a good starter, but will probably be erratic from start to start. The Rangers are also the hottest team in baseball and their offense ifs on fire. Verlander has pitched well in his first 2 starts and once again looks like he will be in the running for the CY Young all year. He has fared well against the Rangers lineup in his career and I look for him to continue that today at home.

Bets

$13 DET -130

1-1, Down $10

I thought I had both games yesterday but the Twins scored 2 runs off Anderson in the 8th to win 2-1. It's not the best way to start off a season, but it could be worse.

Portfolio: $777 (-15.6% return)

S&P 500: $1328 (44.2% return)

Today's Games

Cincinnati (-110) @ Arizona (-110)

Cleveland (+110) @ Seattle (-120)

In the first game the steady veteran Bronson Arroyo is matched up against the up and coming Daniel Hudson. Both pitchers had solid first starts with Arroyo picking up a win and Hudson picking up a loss. The Reds started hot at 5-0, but have since dropped 2 in a row, including 13-2 beat down last night from the Diamondbacks. Everyone knows what to expect from Arroyo, especially after loss like last night. Arroyo will give his team a chance to win. Hudson on the other hand is young and can come out and throw a gem or get rocked. He his a fly ball pitcher and the Reds are a home run hitting team, and that's not a good combination for Hudson. The Reds are a legit World Series contender this year and I don't think they'll endure too many losing streaks this year, so I don't think they will drop their third straight especially with with their veteran pitcher on the mound.

In the second game Justin Masterson is matched up against Doug Fister. Masterson is coming off a win in which he only gave up 1 run in 7 innings, but he failed to register a strikeout. Fister is coming off a loss in which he also pitched well. Masterson throws what may be the best sinker in the game. For him to be successful he basically just has to throw his sinker for strikes, even if it is over the middle of the plate it moves so much that hitters have a hard time squaring it up. He gets into trouble when he walks people or is forced to throw a "get me over" fastball because he is behind in the count. He has shown good control this spring and in his first start, and the strikeouts will come because he has always good at that. Fister is a control pitcher who rarely get strikeouts. The Indians have been taking a lot of walks so far this season, so something has to give. I'll take the hot Indians bats and a locked in Masterson to extend the Tribe's win streak to 6 and push the Mariner's losing streak to 6.

Bets

$11 CIN -110

$10 CLE +110

It's Baseball Season!

My goal this season is to catch up to the S&P 500. I don't think it'll be as hard as it currently looks because I think the S&P 500 is due for a collapse this year.

Portfolio: $787 (-14.5% return)

S&P 500: $1332 (44.6% return)

Today's Games

Kansas City (+160) @ Detroit (-170)

Oakland (-100) @ Minnesota (-110)

In the first game Kyle Davies is matched up against the up and coming Max Scherzer. Both pitchers got rocked in their first start, so it may look like an even game. But historically the Tigers hitters have crushed Davies, so I like the Tigers to score a lot of runs in this game. I'm not too sure how Scherzer will do since he was hit pretty hard in his first start, but I think the Tigers will be able to put up a good numbers of runs against what they see as a batting practice pitcher.

In the second game Brett Anderson is matched up against Carl Pavano in the Twins home opener. Anderson is coming off a solid start, giving up only 1 run in 6 innings in a no decision, and looks to continue to build his case as the next stud left handed pitcher. Injuries really slowed him down last year and since it was his elbow I'm still kind of concerned, but so far so good. Pavano is coming off a shellacking in his first start, giving up 7 runs in 4 innings including 3 home runs. I know it's the Twins home opener and the energy level will be high, but this looks like the perfect match up for Oakland. The Twins are a left handed heavy lineup and Anderson should be able to neutralize them and the crowd. I'll take the even money odds here.

Bets

$17 DET -170

$20 OAK -100

Another Bad Night, 0-2 - Down $22

Both of my losses, Purdue and Texas A&M weren't even close to covering while the Cavs pushed.

Portfolio: $787 (-14.5% return)
S&P 500: $1280 (40$ return)

Today's Games

None

2-0, Up $10

Much better day yesterday as I made up for the losses the day before.

Portfolio: $809 (12.2% return)
S&P 500: $1282 (39.2% return)

Today's Games

Phoenix Suns @ Cleveland Cavs (+8)
Penn St @ Purdue (-13)
Texas A&M @ Texas (-6.5)

In the first game I like the Cavs +8 over the Suns. The Cavs are finally home after their annual west coast trip in which they were destroyed. They have also lost 13 straight and something like 24 out fo their last 25. They have been hit hard by the injury bug, but they do get Boobie Gibson back tonight. They played Phoenix well a few weeks ago with a depleted roster and I expect them to do so again tonight. The Suns don't play much defense and that should give a boost to the offensively challenged Cavs. The Cavs also don't play much defense, but I think the Suns might have a hard time getting up for this game (especially one of the all-time slackers, Vince Carter). I'll take the points in what should be a closer than expected game. It also might be worth noting that I'm a Cleveland sports fan so I might have a little bias toward them, but I think I am right in this case.

In the second game I like Purdue. Penn State has been playing well lately, but that should end tonight against a very talented Purdue team that is upset after dropping two in a row.

In the third game I like the visiting Aggies. I have not seen either team play, but from what I can tell they both play good defense so it should be a close game. 6.5 points seems like a lot here.

Bets

$11 CLE +8
$11 PUR -13
$11 TAM +6.5

Slow Start, 1-3, Down $23

I had a little bit of bad luck last night. I could have very easily went 3-1 and probably should have gone 2-2. I lost the UConn game by a 1/2 point and the Syracuse game by 2 points.

Portfolio: $789 (-14.3% return)
S&P 500: $1293 (40.1% return)

Today's Games

Atlanta Hawks @ Miami Heat (-6.5)
Colorado @ Nebraska (-3.5)

In the first game I like the Hawks to cover. I'm not sure they will win, but with Bosh out and James and Wade not at 100% I think this will be a close game. Plus, if either James or Wade aggravates their injury then the Hawks should easily take this game.

In the second game I like the Cornhuskers at home to cover. With the way Colorado has been playing lately this game just looks like a sucker bet.

Bets

$11 ATL +6.5
$11 NEB -3.5

Back For More

I was recently let go from my job (other than not getting paid it has been awesome) so I have been watching more sports on TV than I usually do. So I figured I might as well help some gamblers out there make money. I'll look at basketball, both NBA and college, but probably mainly college and also the remaining NFL playoffs. I would like to get my portfolio into the black so I can have some credibility, and once I do that I'll shoot for catching the S&P 500, which should probably collapse in the next year so it won't be as difficult as it currently looks.

Once again, I only have one rule and that is I will not risk any more than 5% of my portfolio on any bet. That is just good money management and I would advise all gamblers/stock traders to do the same.

Portfolio: $812 (-11.8% return)

S&P 500: $1293 (40.1% return)

Today's Games

Villanova @ Connecticut (-2.5)

Kansas State @ Missouri (-5)

Syracuse @ Pittsburgh (-6)

Kansas @ Baylor (+4)

In the fist game I like UConn over Nova. The opening line started at -1.5 and moved a whole point, and that tells me it was a soft line. Plus UConn is a pretty tough place to play as Nova has only won there once in the past 8 years.

In the second game I like Missouri over Kansas State. Missouri is one of the funnest teams to watch (along with Washington) as they get up and down the court at light speed. Missouri is just coming off a loss to Texas A&M and will want revenge while Kansas State is just not the same team as last year. I'm not worried about the 5 points because Missouri scores at will and should be able to pull away late in the second half.

In the third game I like Syracuse. I'm not sure they will win the game as Pittsburgh is one of the toughest places to play in all of college basketball, but I think it should be a close game. 6 points is a lot to give a team like Syracuse, especially with how good their defense has been playing this year.

In the fourth game I like Baylor at home. Kansas has struggled a little on the road so far and Baylor will look to turn their season around. I look for them to come out with a lot of energy in this game.

Bets

$11 UConn -2.5

$11 Missouri -5

$11 Syracuse +6

$11 Baylor +4