This is the time of the year when the MLB playoffs combine with NHL
, NFL, and college football for some great betting opportunities. When it comes to betting the MLB Playoffs they are a much different animal than other sports. In fact betting the playoffs is even more different than betting the MLB regular season. With this in mind I have put together a few rules to look at when betting the MLB post season.
Focus on the Playoffs: If you're going to bet on the MLB Playoffs make sure to try and focus on the game at hand. With so many other sports it is easy to get lost in trying to bet too many games and not putting enough research into your selections. Taking the time to research the game and minimizing the games you wager on will help out in the long run.
Totals can be deceiving: The under is a gold mine in the playoffs. The teams are in an intense situation and they play conservative because they don't want to make that mistake that leads to losing the game. They play tight and often managers will play small ball or be quick to bring in a reliever. This makes the under an attractive wager. This year there have been two games in homer friendly Yankee stadium and the under has flourished because of the strategy and they game plan. The under is not an automatic play but it is something that has to be looked at.
Managers and Picthing: The first round of the playoffs is a best out of five games series. If a team manages to get into a 0-2 hole there is a good chance that the "ace" of the team could be asked to start on short notice. With this in mind it is important to know how a pitcher is preparing for a start on short notice and if he has ever done it in his career. Starting pitchers can also be used as closers or in the bullpen if the game is on the line late in the series. It is important to know what managers will do in the same situation.
Location and weather: The MLB Playoffs are played in the fall season so the weather will always play a role and we have even had a game postponed already. This could aid one team and not the other. Figure out what teams are used to playing in cold weather and what the extra rest can do for a team.
These are just a few of the things that a sports bettor can look at when handicapping the MLB Playoffs. If these rules are used properly these approaches can lead to profit in the long run.