Constantly, information is being exchanged and debated between players. This type of interaction is imperative for any players who wish to advance their knowledge base. Handicapping advisors in particular are required in these arguments in order for knowledge of the industry to advance. These debates are to handicapping professionals what academic journals are to the scholastic industry.
One of the most popular topics of debate among handicapping advisors is how to weigh a pitcher's earned run average with respect to his walks and hits per innings pitched. I believe that the answer to this debate is simple. Both aspects are similarly imperative to determining a pitcher's worth. On the whole, such a debate can be compared to asking a doctor if it would be better for them to diet or exercise. While they are not mutually exclusive, succeeding at one or the other is not better than failing in the alternate area. Many argument participants articulate their beliefs very well. Here are the highlights of a pro-WHIP argument. The earned run average is far more likely to be affected by luck when compared to WHIP. Poor pitching is often not reflected in a pitcher's ERA statistic. In fact, a pitcher's earned run average can be affected by many factors including the assistance by teammates the wind during any given game and the size of the ballpark in which the pitcher is playing. To the contrary, a pitcher's WHIP statistic is not affected in any such unfair manner. Therefore, the WHIP is more indicative of a pitcher's skill level.
Many aspects of this argument are well founded. However, individuals who condone this argument should be aware of a number of different facts. It is very possible for inconsistencies to appear in a pitcher's WHIP. For example, this statistic does not measure the pitcher's ability to pitch out of tough situations. Additionally, his number does not disclose the disproportionate number of singles and walks with respect to homeruns. It is also worth noting that the sports definition of earned run is not itself without debate. This is particularly true when examining the definition from a handicapping standpoint. When it comes to the WHIP statistic there is no such thing as an unearned hit or an unearned walk. After seeing the debate illustrated by the top handicapping professionals, my belief in not ignoring one statistic at the expense of the other has only been reinforced. This is why my advice to anyone interested in baseball picks is that the best picks will exercise both ERA and WHIP statistics. There is simply no way to determine the worth of a pitcher properly by excluding one or the other.
Freescoreboard.com and 866-FREE-866 are pleased to have Joe Duffy as their general manager. The website is not only one of the world's best handicapping online source but 866-FREE-866 is also an important resource when it comes to real time scores, odds, injuries, weather, news and notes, free picks and more. Interested parties should also be aware that Godspicks.com highlights Joe Duffy's plays as a part of the website's Dream Team. As one of the most published and respected authorities when it comes to the theory of sports gambling Joe Duffy has been featured in many new mediums. He has also been a regular guest who comes in to speak as a handicapping expert on the Rick Ballou show on Sporting News Radio. His advice should be considered extremely well educated, relevant and thought out. Individuals of all skill levels and experience levels are encouraged to listen to what Joe Duffy has to say on the matter in order to expand their own knowledge base and improve their own picks and bets.
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