Books refund some MLB bets

Every Las Vegas sportsbook contacted by the Review-journal will refund all wagers on Major League Baseball season win totals because of a house rules stipulation that a minimum of 160 games must be played.

The Westgate, William Hill, South Point, Station Casinos, Circa Sports, Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts reported Wednesday they will refund win total bets after MLB announced Tuesday that it will play a 60-game schedule starting July 23 or 24.

Division bets and player and playoff props also will be refunded at Station and the Westgate, per house rules.

All pennant and World Series futures bets are live. The Westgate plans to post new season win totals Friday or Saturday.

“World Series and pennant futures are still alive because we still expect them to crown champions,” Westgate sportsbook director John Murray said. “There’s going to be an American League champ, a National League champ and a World Series champ.

“It’s the same thing we did in basketball and hockey. If you bet the Lakers to win the NBA championship, you’ve still got action on that.”

had four.”

Each team will play 10 games against each of its four division rivals and four games versus each of the five clubs in the corresponding division in the other league, according to The Associated Press.

“Imagine the Marlins’ 60-game schedule. They have 10 each against the Phillies, Nationals, Mets and Braves,” Murray said. “Not that they had any chance anyway. But it’s even harder in a really tough (NL East) division.”

Miami also will have four games each against the American League East (Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles).

Higher totals

Game totals are expected to rise with the designated hitter expanding to the NL and used in every game this season, along with extra innings starting with a runner on second base.

“I think we’ll see higher totals for everybody across the board,” Magliulo said. “And I think in games you’ll see favorites not quite as high.”

The Nationals, the defending World Series champions, wouldn’t have made the playoffs last season if it ended after 60 games. They were 19-31 through 50 games and 27-33 through 60.

“One thing you will see is that teams are going to try harder in regular-season games. Every game is going to be that much more valuable,” Murray said. “You might see teams pitch their best reliever two innings. You really don’t see that much in a 162-game season.”

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.

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