In Littleton, Little League baseball is huge. Everyone is turning out for the cross town rivalry. Tonight will be the first time that these two teams meet this year. This year is special. Both teams are winners at 9 and 2, with the Bruisers being only slightly better statistically than the Boxers. The Bruisers have played 9 home games, winning all 9 and have lost 2 away games. The Boxers have played only 4 home games, which they won, and have won 5 of 7 away games. The Bruisers are the home team tonight. The Bruisers have a team ERA of 1.20. The Boxers have a team ERA of 1.17.
Bonanova is craving some action and wants to put $1000 on this game with a local bookie. He's studied the two teams and has noticed something odd. The Bruisers score one run EXACTLY every 3.1 innings regardless of the opponent's ERA, with every third point being a home run. The Boxers score one run EXACTLY every 3.2 innings, regardless of the opposing ERA, with every second score being a home run. What's more, neither team has ever scored more than one run in an inning.
Bonanova analyzes the win/loss records, the home/away records and both teams' ERA's. (Earned Run Averages). He knows that little league games go seven innings, unless they are tied, and then they go until they are won. Normal baseball rules apply, in that the home team always bats last, unless the home team is ahead in the 7th inning. He figures he can't lose.
He better not lose. If he does lose, the local bookie is going to break his legs. Bonanova places his bet.
The next week, you see Bonanova and he's all smiles. He obviously won his bet. Who did he bet on and why?
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In Littleton, Little League baseball is huge. Everyone is turning out for the cross town rivalry. Tonight will be the first time that these two teams meet this year. This year is special. Both teams are winners at 9 and 2, with the Bruisers being only slightly better statistically than the Boxers. The Bruisers have played 9 home games, winning all 9 and have lost 2 away games. The Boxers have played only 4 home games, which they won, and have won 5 of 7 away games. The Bruisers are the home team tonight. The Bruisers have a team ERA of 1.20. The Boxers have a team ERA of 1.17.
Bonanova is craving some action and wants to put $1000 on this game with a local bookie. He's studied the two teams and has noticed something odd. The Bruisers score one run EXACTLY every 3.1 innings regardless of the opponent's ERA, with every third point being a home run. The Boxers score one run EXACTLY every 3.2 innings, regardless of the opposing ERA, with every second score being a home run. What's more, neither team has ever scored more than one run in an inning.
Bonanova analyzes the win/loss records, the home/away records and both teams' ERA's. (Earned Run Averages). He knows that little league games go seven innings, unless they are tied, and then they go until they are won. Normal baseball rules apply, in that the home team always bats last, unless the home team is ahead in the 7th inning. He figures he can't lose.
He better not lose. If he does lose, the local bookie is going to break his legs. Bonanova places his bet.
The next week, you see Bonanova and he's all smiles. He obviously won his bet. Who did he bet on and why?
(assume all statistics hold as true in this game)
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