Author: rincon

Just what can Kyle Schwarber accomplish with five more years in the Phillies lineup?

Kyle Schwarber will stick with the Phillies through 2030, after agreeing to a five-year, $150 million contract at the winter meetings. It will end up being the team he spends the most time on in his career, as he’s already at four years with Philly and will eclipse the six he spent with the Cubs before the middle of the contract hits.

With the kind of power that Schwarber has — power he has continued to display as he enters his mid-30s — it’s fair to wonder if he’s going to start showing up on any of the Phillies’ all-time leaderboards. The short answer: yes. The longer answer is below.

Schwarber will be 33 in 2026, after hitting a career-high 56 dingers last summer. Expecting him to hit the half-century mark every year would be a bit much even if he were a decade younger, but Schwarber has averaged 43.8 homers per season since he first left the Cubs back in 2021. In that five-year stretch, Schwarber has gone yard 219 times — that’s good enough for third in MLB, behind just Aaron Judge (249) and Shohei Ohtani (233). This trio are the only players with over 200 bombs over the last five years.

The most optimistic — and maybe not realistic — expectation would be for Schwarber to just keep it going for another five years. If he were to do that, he would have 438 long balls in a 10-year stretch. A more conservative — and safer — expectation would be 80% of that, or, 175 home runs over a five-year stretch. That would be 35 home runs per year, which builds in some room for Schwarber to continue to crush the baseball at the level he has in his late-20s and early-30s, but also leaves room for those numbers to drift closer to 30 per year as his offense diminishes.

Consider that a range of possibilities, then see where Schwarber already is. He has swatted 187 homers with the Phillies in four years, which puts him 12th in franchise history behind Bobby Abreu (195). Recently inducted Hall of Famer Dick Allen sits in 10th with 204 — Schwarber could pass him before the summer heat sets in.

Here is the full top 10 for the Phillies:

10. Dick Allen, 204
9. Jimmy Rollins, 216
8. Cy Williams, 217
7. Greg Luzinski, 223
6. Chase Utley, 233
5. Chuck Klein, 243
4. Pat Burrell, 251
3. Del Ennis, 259
2. Ryan Howard, 382
1. Mike Schdmidt, 548

Even at the most optimistic projection for Schwarber’s 2026 through 2030 seasons, passing Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt just isn’t in the cards — Schwarber is 361 dingers behind Philly’s all-time leader. He could get all the way up to second place, however: Howard’s 382 is just 195 ahead of Schwarber, which wouldn’t even require the best-case scenario estimate to pull off. 

Does Schwarber have another 361 homers in his career? Does he have them for the Phillies, specifically? These are good questions, but they are for whatever contract comes after this new one. It should be said that it’s not an impossibility, however — Schwarber would just have to age exceptionally well for it to happen.

With that bigger picture in mind, though, consider where Schwarber would be on the all-time list not just for the Phillies, but MLB, with another five years of crushing baseballs. He currently ranks 111th in MLB history with 340 career long balls, and it won’t take him very long to make his way into double-digit territory. Nolan Arenado is currently No. 100 on that list with 353 homers, tied with Torii Hunter until he hits another and passes the retired outfielder for good. Even if Schwarber hit just 35 homers in 2026 — remember, 175 split across five seasons is an average of 35 per year — that would put him at 375 for his career, or the 81st-most in history. Right ahead of Rocky Colavito and his 374, and directly behind Carlton Fisk and his 376.

Sticking with the 175 over five years estimate, Schwarber would wrap his new deal with the Phillies with 515 career dingers. That would make him just the 29th player to ever reach the 500-homer mark, and he would already be in the top 25 at No. 23, ahead of Ernie Banks (512) but behind Ted Williams, Frank Thomas and Willie McCovey, all of whom hit 521.

And if you go with the higher-end estimate, where Schwarber repeats his previous five seasons? That would have him at 559, or 15th all-time, ahead of Manny Ramirez (555) but behind Reggie Jackson (563). 

Regardless of whether Schwarber is great or great with the Phillies, it should be obvious that he’s in line to be a historically significant power hitter. His power has only grown as he’s aged, and while that won’t be the case forever, that his experience has fueled his performance offensively should at least give you some confidence that he can keep it going for a while yet. Just how long is the question, but barring a complete, unexpected collapse, Schwarber’s new deal means some level of history will be closer with every moonshot.

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The Chicago White Sox won Major League Baseball’s amateur draft lottery Tuesday and will have the top selection for the first time since taking Harold Baines in 1977.

Coming off a 102-loss season, Chicago had the highest odds to win the weighted lottery at 27.73%. The White Sox will have the No. 1 selection for the third time when the draft starts on July 11 in Philadelphia ahead of the All-Star Game.

Baines became a six-time All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. Chicago selected first baseman Danny Goodwin with the top pick in 1971, and he played in parts of seven major league seasons.

Baines represented the White Sox on stage for the lottery at baseball’s winter meetings.

“I’m still learning more and more about the draft. I’m getting familiar with some of the top names,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said in an interview on MLB Network. “It looks like, at the top of the draft, that it’s a really impressive one.

“But on top of that, when you look at the pool space that you’re given and a chance to really walk away from a draft class and do some damage, bring in some real talent. … I’m just excited for our fan base and the people that are working for the Chicago White Sox.”

UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is currently projected as the top selection, followed by Fort Worth Christian High School shortstop Grady Emerson.

Tampa Bay will pick second, followed by Minnesota, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore, the Athletics, Atlanta and Colorado.

MLB and the players’ association established the lottery in the March 2022 collective bargaining agreement. The union pushed for the innovation to encourage teams to compete for wins rather than trade off players at the deadline in an attempt to get a higher draft choice.

Pittsburgh won the lottery the first year and chose right-hander Paul Skenes, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year and 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner. Cleveland went first in 2024 and selected second baseman Travis Bazzana and Washington picked shortstop Eli Willits this July.

Colorado, the Los Angeles Angels and Washington were not eligible for this lottery. The Rockies, a big league-worst 43-119. were excluded because a team can’t receive a lottery pick in three consecutive years. The Angels and Nationals were blocked because teams that receive revenue sharing money can’t get a lottery pick in two straight years.

After the White Sox, Minnesota had the second-highest odds of the top pick at 22.18%, followed by Pittsburgh (16.81%), Baltimore (9.24%) and the Athletics (6.55%).

The New York Mets, the second-biggest spenders this year behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, had a 0.67% chance and will wind up drafting 27th after missing the playoffs.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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Mike Trout, the cornerstone of Team USA’s 2023 World Baseball Classic run, is still under consideration as the roster for the 2026 tournament takes shape.

Manager Mark DeRosa said Tuesday that Trout is “in the mix” for one of the final spots, assuming he’s healthy and comfortable with his role.

“We’re talking to him, we’re talking to a couple other players, and trying to figure out what Mike wants to do,” DeRosa said at the MLB winter meetings.

The two-time American League MVP remains in a complicated place for Team USA, which is scheduled to play its first game of the tournament March 6 against Brazil in Houston.

A bruised left knee sent him to the injured list in May. It’s the same knee that required meniscus surgery in 2024, and the lingering issues kept him mostly at designated hitter last season. He still hit 26 home runs in 130 games, but his .232/.359/.439 slash line and elevated strikeout rate fueled questions about his health and availability for next year’s WBC.

Trout, who captained Team USA in 2023, has to weigh the spring tournament against being fully ready for the Angels next season. And DeRosa has to weigh carrying a full-time DH on a short, high-leverage roster.

“He’s got to be ready for ’26 with the Angels,” DeRosa said. “He didn’t play much defensively, if at all, so it’s a give and take — what he wants to do, what he feels comfortable with.”

Team USA announced four more position players on Tuesday: designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, infielders Gunnar Henderson and Brice Turang, and catcher Will Smith. They join captain Aaron Judge, outfielders Corbin Carroll and Pete Crow-Armstrong, and catcher Cal Raleigh.

On the mound, National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes leads the U.S. group, along with left-hander Matthew Boyd and reliever Garrett Whitlock.

General manager Mike Hill said the focus now shifts heavily to pitching.

“We were respectful of everyone’s season and making sure they got through healthy,” Hill said. “Now that we’re into the offseason and gearing up for the tournament, we’ll amp up our pitching process. We’ll be spending the next few weeks finalizing the roster and trying to build the deepest staff we can.”

Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal remains high on the wish list.

“We want our best to participate,” Hill said. “He is obviously the two time reigning Cy Young Award winner, so there’s no question about his ability with all of our pitching. You know, we’re trying.”

DeRosa said the goal isn’t simply gathering stars for this team, bur rather building a roster that fits: defense, speed, versatility, balance. A crushing loss to Japan in the 2023 WBC final, in which Shohei Ohtani struck out his then-Angels teammate Trout to end the game, has fueled their process and purpose building the team.

If Trout signs on and stays healthy, DeRosa said his name alone could shift the clubhouse dynamic. For now, though, the call remains open.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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Admitting participation by Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in the World Baseball Classic is “very delicate” following a World Series that stretched into November, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn’t sure whether any limits will be placed on his team’s Japanese stars.

Ohtani had elbow surgery in September 2023 and returned to the mound in June. The two-way sensation helped the Dodgers become the first repeat World Series champion in a quarter century, starting the Game 7 win over Toronto.

“I would like to think that it’s going to be a dialogue as far as restrictions and limitations, in the sense of just trying to give them the opportunity,” Roberts said Monday at baseball’s winter meetings. “They’ve come off some stuff, some long seasons, and certainly with Yamamoto and looking out for 2026. But right now there’s no more clarity than we had before.”

Ohtani won his fourth unanimous Most Valuable Player award, hitting .282 with 55 homers, 102 RBIs and 20 stolen bases while going 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA over 14 shortened starts that included 62 strikeouts in 47 innings. He had eight homers and 14 RBIs in 17 postseason games along with a 2-1 record and 4.43 ERA in four postseason starts.

Roberts said he wasn’t sure whether Ohtani will pitch for defending champion Japan in the WBC, which starts March 5 and ends March 17 — nine days before the Dodgers’ opener against Arizona.

“I’m hoping he doesn’t but I don’t know,” Roberts said. “Shohei’s — he’s very in tune with his body. But I would say probably the thought is he’s probably just going to hit.”

Ohtani was MVP of the 2023 WBC, when Japan beat the United States 3-2 in the final as Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out. That tournament generally limited pitchers to 65 pitches in the first round, 80 in the quarterfinals and 95 in the championship, and also included mandatory off days after certain pitch counts.

Sasaki started the semifinal win over Mexico and Yamamoto followed in relief as Ohtani doubled to spark a ninth-inning rally.

“I don’t want to be dismissive of what it means to them representing their country,” Roberts said. “I know the organization doesn’t but I do think that the conversations need to be had, will be had, as far as what each individual is taking on and whatever role that they might be taking on and what potential costs there might be. … But you can’t debate the emotion, what a player might feel of this potential opportunity.”

Limited to 90 innings by a triceps injury in his first season with the Dodgers after signing a $325 million, 12-year contract in December 2023, Yamamoto pitched 211 innings this year in the regular season and postseason combined.

Sasaki, in his rookie season, didn’t pitch for the Dodgers between May 9 and Sept. 24 because of a right shoulder impingement and became their closer in the postseason.

Los Angeles plans to have Ohtani as a regular member of the starting rotation next season.

“But it’s not going to be a regular five-man rotation,” Roberts said. “I don’t want to go down the six-man rotation road, but I do feel that giving him six, seven, eight days off to kind of allow him to continue to stay rested and build up, I think that’s in our process. But again we have a long way to go but we’ve got some viable candidates.”

After leading the Dodgers to their third title in six seasons, Roberts has tried to detach and relax. He told Amazon Prime’s “Good Sports” last week that he favors a salary cap, which some in management are advocating be proposed during collective bargaining next year. Baseball is the only U.S. professional major league without a cap.

“You know what? I’m all right with that,” Roberts said. “I think the NBA’s done a nice job of kind of revenue sharing with the players and the owners, but if you’re going to kind of suppress spending at the top, I think that you got to raise the floor to make those bottom feeders spend money, too.”

“I’m entitled to an opinion, as we all are,” Roberts said Monday. “My opinion shouldn’t move the needle.”

Los Angeles projects to a major league-record $509.5 million in payroll and luxury tax this year. The New York Mets, who didn’t make the playoffs, project second at $428.8 million.

“We have an organization that whatever rules or regulations, constructs are put in front of us, we’re going to dominate,” Roberts said. “And so just give us the rules, let us know the landscape and then I’ll bet on our organization.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Jeff Kent was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Sunday by the contemporary era committee, while steroids-tainted stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were among seven players who fell short once again.

Kent appeared on 14 of 16 ballots, two more than the 12 ballots needed for the 75% minimum.

Carlos Delgado received nine votes, followed by Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy with six each.

Bonds, Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela each received fewer than five votes.

Kent will be inducted at the hall in Cooperstown, New York, on July 26 along with anyone chosen by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, whose balloting will be announced on Jan. 20.

Kent received a high of 46.5% in the last of 10 BBWAA ballot appearances in 2023. A five-time All-Star second baseman, he batted .290 with 377 homers and 1,518 RBIs.

The Hall in 2022 restructured its veterans committees for the third time in 12 years, setting up panels to consider the contemporary era from 1980 on, as well as the classic era. The contemporary baseball era holds separate ballots for players and another for managers, executives and umpires.

Each committee meets every three years. Contemporary managers, executives and umpires will be considered in December 2026, classic era candidates in December 2027 and contemporary era players again in December 2028.

Under a change announced by the Hall last March, candidates who received fewer than five votes are not eligible for that committee’s ballot during the next three-year cycle. A candidate who is dropped, later reappears on a ballot and again receives fewer than five votes would be barred from future ballot appearances.

Bonds and Clemens fell short in 2022 in their 10th and final appearances on the BBWAA ballot, when Bonds received 260 of 394 votes (66%) and Clemens 257 (65.2%). Sheffield received 63.9% in his final BBWAA vote in 2024, getting 246 votes and falling 43 shy.

Bonds denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs and Clemens maintains he never used PEDs. Sheffield said he was unaware that substances he used during training ahead of the 2002 season contained steroids.

A seven-time NL MVP and 14-time All-Star outfielder, Bonds set the career home run record with 762 and the season record with 73 in 2001.

A seven-time Cy Young Award winner, Clemens went 354-184 with a 3.12 ERA and 4,672 strikeouts, third behind Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Randy Johnson (4,875).

The December 2027 ballot is the first chance for Pete Rose to appear on a Hall ballot after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred decided in May that Rose’s permanent suspension ended with his death in September 2024. The Hall prohibits anyone on the permanent ineligible list from appearing on a ballot.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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The Boston Red Sox acquired right-hander Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night as part of a five-player trade.

Boston also got left-hander Tyler Samaniego and minor league catcher Adonys Guzman from Pittsburgh in exchange for outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and minor league right-hander Jesus Travieso.

Oviedo, a 27-year-old from Cuba, had Tommy John surgery in December 2023 and missed the 2024 season. He returned last season and went 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA in nine starts.

In 2023, he made 32 starts and went 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA with 158 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings for the Pirates and ranked eighth among National League starters with a .237 opponent batting average. Oviedo is 15-26 with a 4.24 ERA in 81 appearances, including 67 starts, for St. Louis and Pittsburgh.

Boston designated right-hander Cooper Criswell for assignment to make room on its 40-man roster.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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A prop bet is a wager on an outcome other than the final score, like player stats, team milestones, or in-game events. Examples include betting on a quarterback’s passing yards, an NBA player’s 3-pointers made, or whether an MLB player hits a home run.

Props are especially popular in the NFL, NBA, and MLB, and have become a big part of U.S. sports culture, as they add extra excitement to viewers. 

What is a Prop Bet in Sports Betting

More formally, a prop bet (short for “proposition bet”) is a wager on a specific outcome within a game that isn’t directly tied to the final score or margin of victory. Instead, prop bets focus on individual player performance, team statistics, or other in-game events. Prop bets generally fall into two broad categories:

Player props: wagers on individual stats, such as a quarterback’s passing yards, a basketball player’s points scored, or a pitcher’s strikeouts.

Team props: wagers on team outcomes, such as which team scores first, total team rushing yards, or the number of three-pointers made.

These markets can be offered pre-game or during live/in-game windows, with odds updating in real time as the action unfolds. Sportsbooks and betting apps also occasionally post “exotic” or novelty props, which go beyond standard stats. For example, some of the most popular prop bets during the Super Bowl are the Gatorade color of the winning team, and whether or not the team that wins the coin toss will win the game.  

How Prop Bets Work for Different Sports and Leagues

Prop bets vary by sport, but the concept stays the same: they focus on individual or team outcomes beyond the final score. Below are some commonly offered props across several sports. Keep in mind that there is a lot of overlap between college football and NFL, as well as college basketball and NBA.

NFL Props

• Examples: quarterback passing yards (Over/Under), first touchdown scorer, anytime touchdown scorer.
• Popularity: huge during the Super Bowl and primetime games.
• Note: widely available (in legal betting states), with few restrictions compared to college sports.

College Football Props

• Examples: running back rushing yards (Over/Under), total team touchdowns (Over/Under).
• Restrictions: some states don’t allow individual college player props; often only team-based props are available.
• Popularity: peak interest during bowl season, the College Football Playoff, and AP top-10 matchups.

NBA Props

• Examples: player points scored (Over/Under), total made three-pointers (Over/Under), player to score first basket
• Popularity: popular in nightly betting markets, especially during the playoffs; also popular at beginning of season

College Basketball Props

• Examples: total rebounds or assists (Over/Under), team three-pointers made (Over/Under), player to record a double-double.
• Restrictions: like college football, many states limit or ban individual player props; team props are more common.
• Popularity: March Madness drives the most action.

MLB Props

• Examples: pitcher strikeouts (Over/Under), batter to hit a home run, innings pitched (Over/Under).
• Popularity: most popular during the playoffs and World Series, with varying trends throughout the regular season.

NHL Props

• Examples: anytime goal-scorer, Goalie saves (Over/Under).
• Popularity: gain steam during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and in-game betting.

Soccer Props

• Examples: player to record an assist and a goal, team total corner kicks (Over/Under).
• Popularity: heavy action during major tournaments like the World Cup and Champions League.

Golf Props

• Examples: player to record a birdie on a specific hole, head-to-head matchup score, total birdies made (Over/Under).
• Popularity: most common during major tournaments like The Masters or U.S. Open.

Examples of Prop Bets

Let’s get into specific example of prop bets below:

NFL example

In the NFL, a common example of a prop bet might be wagering on Patrick Mahomes to throw over 2.5 passing touchdowns against the Raiders. The line is set at +150, which means a $100 wager would return a profit of $150 if Mahomes throws three or more touchdowns (so a total return of $250). Anything less than that and the bet loses.

NBA example

In the NBA, a prop bet could focus on LeBron James’ rebounding. If the line is set at 7.5 rebounds at -110 for the Over, you would profit $90.91 on a $100 wager if James records at least 8 rebounds. If the bet hits, you’d see a total return of $190.91 ($90.91 profit plus your $100 bet).

What Are the Best Betting Sites for Prop Bets?

Most sportsbooks offer a wide array of prop bets. Some shine for their market depth, while others stand out for boosts or live options. Here are a few of the best:

DraftKings: known for the deepest prop markets, especially around player stats across all major leagues.

FanDuel: excellent for same game parlays, letting you combine multiple props from a single matchup.

BetMGM: runs frequent prop boosts, adding extra value on player performance markets.

Caesars: offers consistently competitive odds on both player and team props.

bet365: strong for live prop betting, with markets updating in real time as the action unfolds.

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An Over/Under bet, also called a total, is a wager on the combined number of points, runs, or goals scored in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and bettors choose whether the final score will go over (more than the posted total) or under (less than the posted total).

It’s one of the most popular bet types across major sports like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, giving fans a way to bet on the flow of the game rather than which team wins.

Totals Betting Explained

Oddsmakers set a total by projecting the combined score of both teams in a game, factoring in offensive and defensive strength, pace of play, and recent form. Bettors then decide whether the final score will go over or under that posted number.

The rules are simple: if the game goes over the total, Over bets win; if it finishes under, Under bets cash. Overtime counts toward the total unless otherwise stated, which often makes a difference in close games.

If the final combined score lands exactly on the posted number, the result is called a push, and all wagers are refunded.

How to Bet on Over/Unders

Let’s go over how to place an Over/Under wager step-by-step:

1. Open the sportsbook app and find your game: pick the sport/league, then tap the matchup you want.

2. Select the Totals (Over/Under) market: look for “Total,” “O/U,” or “Over/Under.” You’ll see a number (e.g., 47.5) and odds for Over and Under (often around -110). Remember: overtime typically counts toward totals.

3. Choose Over or Under: tap the side you want to bet on. 

4. Enter your stake and review the slip: type your amount; the slip auto-calculates potential payout. Double-check the total number, odds, and that you selected Over or Under correctly.

5. Place the bet: confirm to submit. You can track it in “Open Bets.”

Example: if an NFL total is 47.5 at -110, choosing Over 47.5 means you need 48+ combined points to win (47 or fewer loses). At -110, a $100 bet returns $190.91 total ($90.91 profit) if it hits.

It’s also worth mentioning that you can also bet totals during the game. Lines update in real time with pace and scoring. For example, an NBA game opened at 212.5, but after a fast first quarter, the live total jumps to 224.5. If you think scoring will cool off, you might take Under 224.5 at the listed live odds.

How are Over/Under Lines Set?

Oddsmakers set totals by analyzing a mix of data, matchup factors, and betting market trends. At the core, they look at team offensive and defensive efficiency, pace of play, player injuries, recent performance, and even head-to-head history.

Each sport has its own wrinkles that affect the Over/Under line:

• NFL, college football: weather conditions, offensive vs. defensive line matchups, and quarterback play.
• NBA, college basketball: pace, shooting efficiency, defensive ratings, and player availability.
• MLB: starting pitcher matchups, bullpen fatigue, ballpark dimensions, and even wind conditions.
• NHL: goalie matchups, recent scoring form, and power play vs. penalty kill statistics.
• Soccer: playing styles, formation changes, importance of the match, and travel fatigue.

Finally, the market itself matters. As money comes in, especially from sharp bettors, oddsmakers will adjust totals before game time to balance action and manage risk.

Best Sportsbooks for Over/Under Betting

There are several sportsbook where which you can bet on the Over/Under for games. Two of the best options are DraftKings and FanDuel, thanks to their deep menus of live betting markets and alternate lines.

DraftKings consistently offers a wide range of alternate totals, letting you adjust the number up or down with corresponding odds. They also tie many player props to Over/Under markets, giving bettors more ways to build same-game parlays around scoring.

FanDuel stands out for its live totals markets, which update quickly as the game unfolds. You’ll often find multiple alternate totals available mid-game, allowing you to grab value if you think the pace of play will change.

Both sportsbooks give bettors flexibility beyond the standard total, making them strong choices if you like to mix in alt lines and prop-based Over/Under bets.

Why Do Lines Shift in Totals Betting?

Totals don’t stay fixed, as they often move when sportsbooks react to new information or heavy betting action. Oddsmakers adjust to keep lines sharp and balance risk.

Common reasons for these shifts include:

Injury news: the star quarterback or top scorer being ruled out can push the total down.

Weather updates: wind, rain, snow, or extreme heat often drive football and baseball totals lower.

Public betting trends: if most of the money is on one side, sportsbooks may move the line to balance action.

Sharp money: large wagers from respected bettors can move lines quickly and significantly.

For example, an NBA total might open at 228.5, but if a star scorer is scratched before tip-off, the line could drop to 224.5. Early bettors often target softer opening numbers, while late bettors react to confirmed injury reports and other news.

How to Calculate the Vig on Totals

Vig (short for “vigorish”) is the bookmaker’s built-in commission. On totals, it’s usually baked into the odds, with the standard -110 odds on both sides. Let’s break it down step-by-step:

1. Convert each side to implied probability: let’s say the Over/Under for an NFL game is 47.5 with -110 odds on both sides. The implied probability for both sides is calculated as such:

• Negative odds: |X|/(|X| + 100) x 100, so |-110|/(|-110|+100) x 100 = 110/210 = 52.38%
• Positive odds: |X|/(|X| + 100) x 100, so |-110|/(|-110|+100) x 100 = 110/210 = 52.38%

2. Add the probabilities together.

• 52.38% + 52.38% = 104.76%

3. Subtract 100% to find the vig percentage.

• 104.76% – 100% = 4.76% vig

Keep in mind that the vig varies by sportsbook, sport, market liquidity, and timing. 

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New Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray, acquired from St. Louis last week, is making himself right at home with the team’s fan base by immediately blasting Boston’s biggest rival.

“It’s easy to go to a place now where it’s easy to hate the Yankees,” Gray told the Boston press core on Tuesday, according to The Boston Globe.

Gray was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Yankees at the 2017 MLB trade deadline. While he held his own in his time with the franchise in 2017 (3.72 ERA in 11 regular-season starts), the right-hander posted a 4.90 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with the Yankees in 2018, and New York dealt Gray to the Cincinnati Reds in the ensuing offseason.

Gray earned an All-Star nod in his first season with the Reds and has earned such honors three times in his career (2015, 2019 and 2023). Last season, Gray posted a 4.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 201 strikeouts in 180.2 innings pitched (32 starts) with the Cardinals.

Gray, who said that he “never wanted to go” to the Yankees, expressed he’s “more Boston than any other place” and that his decision to waive his no-trade clause was an “immediate yes” because the Red Sox “have a chance to win the World Series.”

Boston acquired the 36-year-old Gray on Nov. 25 for left-hander Brandon Clarke, right-hander Richard Fitts and either a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Gray is entering the final season of a three-year, $75 million deal that includes a mutual option for 2027. He joins a Red Sox starting rotation that includes 2025 American League Cy Young Award runner-up Garrett Crochet and emerging right-hander Brayan Bello (3.35 ERA in 29 appearances/28 starts in 2025). As a whole, Boston’s rotation posted a collective 3.92 ERA last season, good for 12th in MLB.

The Red Sox (89-73) went 9-4 against the Yankees in the 2025 regular season, but New York returned the favor in the postseason, defeating Boston in the wild-card round.

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