Definition
The term 'listed pitchers' is solely under the realm of Major League Baseball Betting (MLB). The term is used to qualify a baseball bet (in other words, one or both of the pitchers has to throw the first pitch for the bet to have action).
Types of baseball bets
A baseball sports gambler may choose to either have his bet be considered 'action' or 'listed'. The prior means that the bet will be honored no matter if there is a pitching change. The latter refers to the listed pitchers for the event. This option is only available for moneyline bets, since the over / under and runline bets are by default dependent on the listed pitchers.
When is this most useful?
Baseball betting is very complex. There is an abundant amount of information available to analyze, and therefore some bets require the pitchers to pitch the game. For example if team A's pitcher owns team B, you would want the pitchers listed (for if there were a pitching change overnight, one would not bet team A to bet team B). Another reason is value. Sometimes if the price is right on a team, and there is tremendous value on them (such as being a home underdog), then one should automatically place an action bet on such a team. Later on, there might be a pitching change that will change the odds on such a team (maybe even becoming a favorite).
Runlines and the over/under
As stated earlier, both the runlines and the over/under in baseball bets have the listed pitchers attached to the bets by default. Since most of the line is determined by the starting pitchers (especially the total), such a condition exists.
Variations
Some sportsbooks, such as www.pinnaclesports.com, offer modified listed pitchers. In this option, sports gamblers can select either one or both of the starting pitchers to be associated with the baseball bet.
Angles
The author wishes to impart an angle relating to starting pitching: although they are important, do not solely base one's baseball bets on the starting pitching. One also has to consider such a team's bullpen, hitting against the right- or left-handed pitcher, current streak and/or momentum, etc. This in fact, makes selecting the pitchers irrelevant. The author places consideration of the starting pitching as only secondary to the handicapping of baseball games.
Summary
In closing, the term 'listed pitchers' is a type of conditional that a sports bettor must consider when placing a baseball wager. It literally has action if the listed pitchers pitch the first pitch (both must pitch). As stated above, though, the author wishes to express his angle into starting pitching: it does not really matter who is pit