🧢 MLB is back — and one betting edge is gone
I’m excited about this MLB season.
Why, you ask?
The Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, aka ABS, makes its regular-season debut tonight when the Yankees and Astros open in Houston (8 ET, Netflix).
The question: What effect will this have on handicapping MLB?
For one, ABS kills one of the oldest handicapping angles: umpire tendencies.
Where the edge shifts:
👉 Pitchers: Early command issues + fewer “stolen strikes”
👉 Catchers: Framing value drops (downgrade for some teams)
👉 Hitters: Zone tied to height → plate discipline could shift
Early signal (from testing):
👉 Slightly more walks, slightly fewer strikeouts
Betting angle:
👉 That could lead to more scoring — especially early — but it’s something to track, not blindly bet
What bettors should watch:
👉 Rising walk rates
👉 Pitch count spikes
👉 Teams that relied on elite framing
Bottom line:
The ABS system removes one edge (umpires) and creates a new one: who adjusts fastest.
Why, you ask?
The Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, aka ABS, makes its regular-season debut tonight when the Yankees and Astros open in Houston (8 ET, Netflix).
The question: What effect will this have on handicapping MLB?
For one, ABS kills one of the oldest handicapping angles: umpire tendencies.
Where the edge shifts:
👉 Pitchers: Early command issues + fewer “stolen strikes”
👉 Catchers: Framing value drops (downgrade for some teams)
👉 Hitters: Zone tied to height → plate discipline could shift
Early signal (from testing):
👉 Slightly more walks, slightly fewer strikeouts
Betting angle:
👉 That could lead to more scoring — especially early — but it’s something to track, not blindly bet
What bettors should watch:
👉 Rising walk rates
👉 Pitch count spikes
👉 Teams that relied on elite framing
Bottom line:
The ABS system removes one edge (umpires) and creates a new one: who adjusts fastest.
🔎 Where to find your MLB edge today
The other reason I’m excited for 2026: My hometown Cubs might not stink.
👉 Tuley’s MLB win totals →
👉 Peterson’s Opening Night bets →
👉 Makinen’s bullpen system →
👉 Tuley’s MLB win totals →
👉 Peterson’s Opening Night bets →
👉 Makinen’s bullpen system →
🧰 Your MLB betting toolkit
Game breakdowns
👉 Matchups page →
👉 Peterson’s lines →
Market intel
👉 Betting splits →
Power ratings
👉 Makinen’s daily ratings →
Context
👉 Ballpark factors →
👉 Matchups page →
👉 Peterson’s lines →
Market intel
👉 Betting splits →
Power ratings
👉 Makinen’s daily ratings →
Context
👉 Ballpark factors →
🏀 NCAA Tournament
The Sweet 16 is still a day away, but we still have the NIT.
👉 Peterson’s NIT Best Bets →
👉 NCAA Tournament hub →
🏆 Selections for the Circa College Hoops Challenge will be posted on VSiN.com shortly after 9 p.m. ET
See standings →
FYI: North Carolina fired Hubert Davis. Probabilities for next coach, per Kalshi:
👉 TJ Otzelberger 27%
👉 Billy Donovan 20%
👉 Peterson’s NIT Best Bets →
👉 NCAA Tournament hub →
🏆 Selections for the Circa College Hoops Challenge will be posted on VSiN.com shortly after 9 p.m. ET
See standings →
FYI: North Carolina fired Hubert Davis. Probabilities for next coach, per Kalshi:
👉 TJ Otzelberger 27%
👉 Billy Donovan 20%
🏀 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report
A great slate on Sweet 16 eve:
👉 Thunder–Celtics = potential Finals preview
👉 Rockets–Timberwolves = NBA’s least trustworthy teams
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers podcast for Zach’s parlay options →
👉 Zach’s best bets →
👉 Thunder–Celtics = potential Finals preview
👉 Rockets–Timberwolves = NBA’s least trustworthy teams
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers podcast for Zach’s parlay options →
👉 Zach’s best bets →
⛳ Houston Open: Wide-open board
No Scheffler = opportunity.
👉 More value across outrights and longshots
Betting angle:
👉 Spread exposure across multiple plays
👉 Wes Reynolds’ picks →
👉 Long Shots podcast →
👉 More value across outrights and longshots
Betting angle:
👉 Spread exposure across multiple plays
👉 Wes Reynolds’ picks →
👉 Long Shots podcast →
