WHAT IS THE VALUE INDEX:

  The VALUE INDEX for baseball is a rating system that reflects each team's
home, away, and overall performance with a particular starting pitcher for the
season.  These ratings can be used to determine a predicted money line and the
total runs scored for each game.  These can then be compared to a betting line
to determine if there is any value, this is called the Value Edge.  When there
is a significant Value Edge on the money line or run total, an investment is
recommended.  A difference of at least .10 (10 cents) on the money line and 
.5 runs on the run total would be considered significant.

HOW TO USE THE VALUE INDEX:

  The VALUE INDEX for determining the predicted money line between two teams
is based on a scale where a team value rating of -200 would be average.  Teams
with a value higher than this (-210, -220, ect..) are above average and a value
lower than -200 (-190, -180, ect..) are below average.  Values are displayed
for team/pitcher performance at HOME, AWAY, and OVERALL.  To calculate a
predicted money line compare the values of both teams and subtract the value
of the lower rated team from the value of the higher rated team then add the
difference to -105.  Using the sample Baseball Value Index Ratings, if Atlanta
with John Smoltz was playing at Chicago Cubs with Kevin Foster, you would
compare the AWAY value of Atlanta/Smoltz (-270) to the HOME value of the
Chicago Cubs/Foster (-205) and take the difference and add -105.
Atlanta would be a -170 favorite (-270-205= -65+(-105) = -170).
Compare that to the actual betting line to see which team has the value edge.


 Sample: MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL VALUE INDEX POWER RATINGS
 -------------------------------------------------------
                MONEY LINE VALUE | OVER/UNDER VALUE 
 TEAM              HOME   AWAY   |   HOME   AWAY 
 --------------------------------|-----------------
 ATL-SMOLTZ,JO     -300   -270   |    3.3    3.4
 --------------------------------|-----------------
 CHC-FOSTER,KE     -205   -185   |    3.8    3.9
 --------------------------------|-----------------


  The VALUE INDEX for determining total runs scored between two teams is
based on team/pitcher performance at HOME, AWAY, and NEUTRAL.  To calculate a
predicted over/under total, compare the values of both teams and simply add
them together.  Using the sample Baseball Over/Under Value Index, if Atlanta\
Smoltz was playing at Chicago\Foster, you would add the AWAY value of Atlanta
(3.4) to the HOME value of Chicago (3.8).  The predicted run total would be
7.2.  Compare that to the actual betting line over/under total to see which
team has the value edge.

The Value Index was created and updated by Mike Seba of Computer Sports World