Thursday Free Pick - MLB 7/7/11

We like the value -- based on misleading stats --  on the KC Royals and Danny Duffy today.  Detroit starter Max Scherzer is a misleading 9-4.  While he is a decent pitcher, his win-loss record is inflating public sentiment on Detroit in today's game.  KC pitcher D. Duffy is just 22 years old -- so he is inconsistent -- but shows promise.  We'll take KC & Duffy at home today -- with nice moneyline odds of around +120.  - jc

Friday Free Pick - NHL 2/11/11

We'll stay with the NHL -- and go with a (hopefully) revitalized NJ Devils team to take out a strong San Jose squad -- in NJ this evening.  On paper, this looks bad, but the Devils have been picking things up a bit, and the public is on San Jose so much, that we are seeing some line value.  You can get NJ at +125 and it may move more during the day.    

Sunday - a look at the NFL & NBA

Yesterday's Steelers game was a classic -- and that kind of "randomness" that decides games is what makes sports fun -- but is also a reason why sports betting and gambling is not a sure thing. The game could have gone either way -- especially against the spread. We just try to put the numbers and probabilities on our side.

In today's NFL playoff games, we already mentioned that we like the Patriots. In the other NFL game, we think it is interesting how the media and public suddenly likes Seattle's "Cinderella story." We lean to Chicago - and love them at home - but we don't like giving up the -10 points. Value is all about public perception, and we think Seattle has captured the attention of sports fans with their win over the Saints last week. In addition, power rankings (mentioned previously) favor the Bears.

It's a light day in the NBA, but the LA Clipper-LA Laker game caught our eye. The Lakers are having a great season -- but we often study stats at Covers (especially "against the spread" stats, to get a handle on over/undervaluation) -- and the Lakers have been a public team (overvalued) all season.

NFL Playoffs: Jets & GB

I like the Jets & Green Bay this weekend. I lean to Seattle and Baltimore -- but those are just leans. New Orleans scares me because they may have just had championship "laziness" and KC could have snuck in under the radar (and public perception leads to value).

I like these power ratings by SportsInsights:

http://sportsinsights.com/sports-betting-articles/nfl/playoffs/2011.aspx

In particular, there seems to be good value on the Jets because they have a higher power ranking AND are underdogs in this match-up.

Green Bay has a monster and under-rated defense. They will be tested by Philly's O (Vick!) and Philly's NFL's-best running game -- but defense is defense.

Welcome to Jim Cee Sports

Welcome to my blog: the Jim Cee Sports (Betting) Blog.

I will post information on topics related to sports betting and sports gambling -- with the idea of using:

• sports analytics,
• historical data,
• research, and
• objective observations

-- to remove emotion from this endeavor -- and turn it into the more businesslike approach of investing in the sports marketplace. Some folks have coined the phrase "sports investing."

Please visit some of my favorite sites such as:

• SportsInsights, and
• Covers