When betting on baseball teams, there is no other player the bettor needs to be the most knowledgeable about than the pitcher.  A baseball team's pitcher can be the clinching difference in the outcome of the game, since there is no other person on the field who touches the ball more than the pitcher. Sure, baseball teams have their powerful sluggers and star shortstops, but when it comes down to the one individual who can practically single-handedly shape the outcome of a baseball game, it is the pitcher.

Some things to consider when rating a pitcher, or rather, weighing just how much influence the pitcher could have on the other team, is foremost, to determine the pitchers winning record - and not their winning record in the traditional sense.  Many baseball bettors often make the mistake of using a pitchers personal win record, strikeout stats, saves and other various stats to gauge a pitchers effectiveness.

However, the only stat a bettor should consider when gauging a pitcher is the baseball team's winning record when that particular pitcher in on the mound.  Simply divide the number of wins by the total number of games, and multiply by 100%.  This will give you the pitchers winning rate for their team.

Many professional baseball bettors (professional in the sense of those who have made a living off of sports betting) will advise bettors to search out those teams who have what many bettors call an "elite pitcher" scheduled to start.  These powerhouse pitchers will likely have above average records (60%), but low bettor expectations (-180 to -300).

The reason being is that bettors think of these pitchers as having to carry the team to victory and that the underdog team will also put up their best pitcher, resulting in a game with less runs, and therefore, more of a chance to swing either way.  It can be dangerous betting on these games for since it is likely that both pitchers will not make it through the entire game, there are many other factors to consider such as a team's bullpen.

A better pitcher to bet on is one who is just under the title of being called elite.  These pitchers should have a winning record with their team of around 65%, and should not be getting all the media attention that many elite pitchers such as Maddux or Johnson would normally get.  These pitchers are under the radar (facing non-elite pitchers and getting a good money line), but still are formidable forces that can pull a team to victory.

Other Baseball Betting Tips:

• How to Bet on Baseball - Reading Baseball Money Lines

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