It is with great pleasure that we have brought back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the top five players with the most points, in descending order: 5-4-3-2-1. 

We know the following:

• The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points more easily than elite players on loaded squads.
• In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing fewer innings than previous generations. This is also true for closers not made for this process.
• Please remember that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way we did: as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

Here is the current top ten after games concluded on August 21.

1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers:  168 Cup Points in 125 Games.  (#1 Last Week).  5.7 bWAR, 120 Runs, 138 Hits, 44 Home Runs, 83 Runs Batted In, .285/.393/.625 Slash Line, 1.018 OPS & 181 OPS+.

2. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: 163 Cup Points in 116 Games. (#2 Last Week).  6.9 bWAR, 99 Runs, 139 Hits, 40 Home Runs, 92 Runs Batted In, .330/.445/.684 Slash Line, 1.129 OPS & 209 OPS+.

3. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners: 151 Cup Points in 125 Games. (#4 Last Week).   5.6 bWAR, 83 Runs, 116 Hits, 47 Home Runs, 102 Runs Batted In, .247/.355/.588 Slash Line, .944 OPS & 167 OPS+.

4. Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 147 Cup Points in 121 Games. (#3 Last Week).   2.9 bWAR, 65 Runs, 126 Hits, 28 Home Runs, 101 Runs Batted In, .264/.347/.510 Slash Line, .858 OPS & 143 OPS+.

5. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies: 140 Cup Points in 127 Games.  (#5 Last Week).  4.2 bWAR, 89 Runs, 120 Hits, 45 Home Runs, 109 Runs Batted In, .253/.373/.584 Slash Line, .957 OPS & 157 OPS+.

6. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: 136 Cup Points in 128 Games. (#6 Last Week).   4.0 bWAR, 74 Runs, 145 Hits, 21 Home Runs, 77 Runs Batted In, .294/.354/.486 Slash Line, .840 OPS & 130 OPS+.

7. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets: 134 Cup Points in 125 Games. (#10 Last Week).   3.7 bWAR, 85 Runs, 133 Hits, 25 Home Runs, 72 Runs Batted In, .262/.329/.461 Slash Line, .790 OPS & 124 OPS+.

8. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians:  133 Cup Points in 123 Games.  (#7 Last Week).  5.1 bWAR, 81 Runs, 135 Hits, 26 Home Runs, 66 Runs Batted In, .291/.366/.517 Slash Line, .883 OPS & 141 OPS+.

9. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: 129 Cup Points in 126 Games. (#8 Last Week).  5.5 bWAR, 81 Runs, 146 Hits, 18 Home Runs, 69 Runs Batted In, .295/.353/.501 Slash Line, .854 OPS & 135 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers:  127 Cup Points in 125 Games.  (#8 Last Week).  2.4 bWAR, 66 Runs, 126 Hits, 29 Home Runs, 92 Runs Batted In, .263/.317/.503 Slash Line, .820 OPS & 119 OPS+.

10 (TIE). Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers: 127 Cup Points in 120 Games. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week).   4.5 bWAR, 81 Runs, 136 Hits, 20 Home Runs, 67 Runs Batted In, .300/.397/.496 Slash Line, .893 OPS & 147 OPS+.

Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. fell out of the Top Ten.

Notably, 1,067 baseball players have earned at least 1 point, up from 1,051 last week.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives. As such, it is important to us that the Washington Commanders announced that Art Monk’s number 81 will be retired on November 2 during Washington’s home game against the Seattle Seahawks.

A First Round Pick in 1980 (18th Overall), Monk played fourteen seasons with Washington, where he earned three Pro Bowls and compiled 12,026 Receiving Yards and 65 Touchdowns.  Monk also helped the team win three Super Bowls.

Monk becomes the sixth man to have his number retired by the franchise, joining Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Darrell Green, Sonny Jurgensen, and Sean Taylor.

Monk was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Art Monk for his impending honor.

Live Betting and Mobile Sportsbooks The Digital Frontier in Betting

Live betting has evolved from an additional option on betting platforms to a market stimulant. Today, up to half of all predictions are made during the match, and the time between odds updates is measured in fractions of a second. The format is supported by high-speed data streams and algorithms that instantly recalculate the odds after each event – a goal, a serve, a penalty.

Mobile apps have strengthened the position of live mode. Betting from a smartphone is not tied to a location – you can place a bet in just a couple of clicks. Software for Android and iOS displays the live line on the main screen, sends push notifications about important moments and synchronises the video broadcast with the current odds. Detailed information on the development of sports technology can be found at cookislandssport.com.

Real-Time Betting Evolution

The first betting sites built their business on pre-match lines. Odds were fixed hours before the event. Changes were rarely made, and any fluctuations in the odds were unavailable to the player at the time of the game. The situation changed in the mid-2000s, when internet speeds and streaming quality allowed sports data to be transmitted in real time.

The emergence of API feeds from specialised providers such as Sportradar and Genius Sports was a technical breakthrough. Odds began to be updated every 1-3 seconds, and push notifications allowed players to react quickly to specific events, such as corners and free kicks.

Mobile apps were the fastest to adopt the live model. The first versions offered graphical broadcasts and score updates, but by 2015, it was possible to watch a match in HD and place bets with a single tap on a smartphone. Now, live betting is a full-fledged section with custom filters by sport, instant cashout, and synchronisation with the video stream without delay.

Live Betting Mechanics – How It Works

Real-time betting is supported by a complex technological chain that connects the field, the betting site server and the user's screen in a matter of seconds:

• Data providers. Companies such as Sportradar, Betgenius and Stats Perform collect statistics at stadiums and through live broadcasts. Operators record events – goals, fouls, substitutions – within 1-2 seconds after they occur.
• Odds update algorithms. Betting platform software analyses the latest data, calculates probabilities and automatically adjusts the odds. Updates can occur every 1-5 seconds, and margins are built into the formulas to balance risk and profit.
• Manual vs automated trading. In major markets, such as the Champions League final, manual adjustments are often used by traders to account for unusual situations. In routine matches, everything is controlled by algorithms that respond to data without human intervention.

The system works as a single organism, and even a delay of a couple of seconds can change the outcome of a trade for the betting platform and the player.

Features of Mobile Betting Platforms

Smartphones have become the primary tool for betting, so mobile apps are designed with split-second response times and one-handed operation in mind. Every detail is important in the interface design, from the location of the "Place Bet" button to the page loading speed:

• UX/UI factors. The interface is simplified to a minimum of clicks: searching for a match, selecting a market and confirming a bet should take 3-4 steps. Buttons and fonts are adapted to the screen size, and important elements – odds, balance, live markets – are displayed in the visible area.
• Technical optimisation. Bets should be sent to the server in a fraction of a second. To achieve this, lightweight graphics packages, CDN networks for content and asynchronous data loading are used to prevent lag when the internet connection is unstable.
• Multi-bets and Cash Out. The apps allow you to collect express bets from several live markets, and the Cash Out function is available on the betting slip page. This is important when you need to close a bet a second before a dangerous moment in a match.

A well-thought-out menu structure and interface design allow players to manage their bets during the game, which is why mobile platforms are growing in popularity every day.

Technologies Shaping the Future of Mobile Betting

Mobile apps are becoming technological platforms capable of processing huge amounts of data in real time. Connection stability directly affects speed and quality of service. The transition to 5G has reduced streaming latency to milliseconds, which is extremely important for live betting with odds fluctuating every second.

Artificial intelligence has added a personalised approach to each player. Apps analyse betting history, preferred markets and playing style to offer odds and events that match the user's interests. This is not marketing, but a way to keep the player's attention at the moment when they are ready to make a decision.

Video streaming is now synchronised with the line. Changes in odds are displayed on the screen simultaneously with the action on the field, eliminating the gap between viewing and betting. Improvements in the technical component of the software make betting part of the sporting event rather than a separate activity.

Practical Advice for Players

Live betting requires quick reactions and competent analysis. Mistakes in assessing odds and rushing to cash out can be very costly. To increase your chances of winning, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Compare the odds with the pre-match and current figures. If a team was leading before kick-off but then conceded a goal, the increase in odds may be an impulsive market reaction rather than an objective prediction.
• Use Cash Out when strategically necessary. For example, when the game is going against your bet and the probability of winning drops sharply. With minimal changes in the course of the match, early exit "eats up" part of the profit for no good reason.
• Do not place a bet immediately after a goal, sending off or penalty. In the first few seconds after important events, the margin is at its highest and the odds rarely reflect the real picture.
• Limit the number of parallel events in live betting. It is difficult to follow three matches at the same time on a smartphone, and a missed moment can negate your strategy.
• Check the stability of your connection. A delay of a couple of seconds can result in your bet being accepted at different odds.

Live betting on a smartphone gives you instant access to the game and the chance to react to every event in the match, but it also carries the risk of rushing into a decision. In the foreseeable future, the market will continue to grow thanks to 5G, built-in video and smart algorithms that adapt the line to the player's style.

Every new NFL season brings a fresh set of storylines, breakout stars, and a healthy dose of wild-card chaos. 

But when it comes to early bets for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, a few names already have the spotlight – and a few others are quietly coming for it.

Here’s a breakdown of five types of contenders to watch as the 2025 season kicks off, including heavy-hitting favorites and unexpected long shots.

The Offensive Favorite: Saquon Barkley (+500)

After a comeback season that ended with hardware in hand, Saquon Barkley is back on top of the board. Now in Philly and playing behind one of the best O-lines in football, Barkley has everything he needs to repeat as Offensive Player of the Year: talent, opportunity, and a whole lot of momentum.

The Eagles are expected to run the ball heavily this season, especially with a new offensive coordinator focused on ground-and-pound efficiency. If Barkley stays healthy (always the big “if”), he could easily rack up 2,000+ scrimmage yards and double-digit touchdowns again. He’s the chalk for a reason.

The Defensive Favorite: Aidan Hutchinson (+700)

At just 24, Aidan Hutchinson is quickly becoming the face of the Lions’ defense – and maybe even the NFC North. 

He’s the betting favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, and it’s not hard to see why. Last season, Hutch racked up 11.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a whole lot of QB pressure that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet.

The Lions are building a legitimate contender, and with a high-motor pass rusher like Hutchinson, they could dominate the trenches all year. 

If he cracks 15+ sacks and anchors Detroit’s playoff push – the Lions have already asked for rule changes with this in mind – expect his name to stay near the top of this list.

The Dark Horse: Nico Collins (+1800 to +2000)

If there’s one wide receiver with “breakout superstar” written all over him, it’s Nico Collins. 

Collins quietly posted 1,297 yards and 8 touchdowns last season with rookie QB C.J. Stroud, on just 80 catches. That kind of efficiency turns heads, especially when you're not even the first or second name people mention on the board.

Another year of chemistry with Stroud and a Texans offense that looks more dangerous by the day will mean that Collins has real OPOY potential. 

At +2000 in some books, he’s criminally undervalued. If he hits 1,500+ yards and double-digit TDs, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

The Veteran: Christian McCaffrey (+2000)

Let’s not forget about the human highlight reel that is Christian McCaffrey. 

After years of injuries, CMC looked like his old self last season – and then some. He led the NFL in total touchdowns, torched defenses on the ground and through the air, and helped the 49ers look like world-beaters.

At 28, he’s not the young gun anymore, but he’s still a game-changer. San Francisco’s offense is built to give McCaffrey touches in space, and that means fantasy owners (and award voters) are going to see his name a lot. 

The wear-and-tear risk is there, but at +2000, the upside is still worth a long look.

The Long Shot: Fred Warner (+7,500)

You may look at Fred Warner’s odds of +7500 for Defensive Player of the Year and think what’s the point betting on such a remote chance – after all, you may as well bet on roulette (which has shorter odds) at one of the best live casinos the internet has to offer.

Well, while Warner might not top the highlight reels, ask any coach or analyst who the best linebacker in the game is, and you’ll probably hear his name.

Being a true defensive quarterback, Warner controls the middle of the field like a chess master. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t always pile up sacks but dominates the games with positioning and game IQ.

So, why the long odds? Because voters love flashy stats, and Warner’s game is all about the subtleties. If the 49ers have another top-tier defensive season and Warner picks up some momentum with a few splash plays early, he could finally get his flowers. 

At +7500, he’s the kind of pick that could make you look like a genius in January.