About this episode
Former MLB Pitcher Josh Towers and Scott Seidenberg talk about players receiving threats, the Rockies ineptitude and other betting stories around Major League Baseball. In this episode of "The Inside Pitch" recorded on May 12, Scott Seidenberg and Josh Towers discuss the controversy surrounding Lance McCullers Jr., his disastrous return, and the broader implications of gambling culture in MLB. McCullers, in his second start after a two-year injury hiatus, surrendered seven runs in a 10-run first inning against the Reds, registering just one out, giving up three hits, three walks, and one home run. Post-game, McCullers and his family received death threats, which Towers attributed to the toxic intersection of sports betting and fan entitlement. Towers emphasized that no athlete intentionally underperforms and that threatening players over wagers is unacceptable. Seidenberg concurred, adding that the accessibility of players via social media exacerbates the issue. McCullers expressed frustration, noting he only wants to perform for the Astros while ensuring his family's safety. Shifting focus to live betting strategies, Seidenberg recounted betting the Astros team total over 3.5 runs during the blowout, leveraging the assumption that weak bullpen arms would enter early. Towers supported this approach, explaining that such scenarios often lead to high-scoring games due to less effective relievers being used and pitchers potentially experimenting with pitches under low-pressure conditions. They dissected Brady Singer’s outing, noting he stuck to his sinker-slider mix, throwing 30 sinkers, 15 sliders, and four cutters, struggling post the 45-minute delay. The discussion broadened to emphasize that blowouts offer learning opportunities for pitchers, enabling them to test pitches in-game situations they'd avoid in tighter contests. Attention turned to the Rockies' collapse, particularly their 21-0 loss to the Padres, followed by Bud Black’s firing. Towers criticized the Rockies' misuse of pitchers, particularly exposing young arms like Blaylock to overwhelming situations, likely contributing to organizational dysfunction. Betting-wise, the Rockies were highlighted as historically profitable to fade, with 30 of their 33 losses by multiple runs and a 5-29 record in first-five innings. Seidenberg recommended automatic daily run line fades against the Rockies. Broader betting trends were analyzed, including the Mets' 29-12 first-five innings under record and the Royals' similar 30-12 mark. The Mariners surprisingly leaned to the over. The conversation shifted to player performance futures. Kyle Schwarber’s 46-game on-base streak, 14 home runs, and .404 OBP were celebrated, with Seidenberg suggesting profitable betting strategies targeting Schwarber to reach base safely in his first plate appearance using various app markets. Josh Towers and Seidenberg also agreed that Freddie Freeman’s .367 average and league-best OPS made him undervalued at +1100 for the NL MVP, criticizing how consistently elite players are often overlooked in futures markets. In Cy Young discussions, Wheeler was favored in the NL at +700 due to his 58 innings, 2.95 ERA, and 0.91 WHIP, while Skubal and Eovaldi were highlighted in the AL. Hunter Brown was noted as a legitimate contender, given his cleaned-up mechanics and plus stuff. The Rookie of the Year race saw Jacob Wilson as AL favorite, while Luis Angel Acuna led the NL despite modest power numbers, with Towers skeptical of his long-term viability. They concluded by discussing rookie dark horses and emphasized the difficulty pitchers face sustaining excellence across a full season, all while promoting Pregame.com’s latest offers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices