Justin Bales

Justin Bales

Sports Betting Writer

I am a passionate sports fan who’s lucky enough to write about them for a living. I started writing when I turned 18, and it’s become a full-time career. There’s nothing better than finding edges, regardless of what sport I’m looking at.

What makes Justin Bales an expert?

My first writing job was for College Football DFS in 2013. Since then, my coverage focused heavily on DFS and fantasy sports in my early years before shifting over to sports betting a few years ago. I’ve previously written for Odds Jam, Sports Illustrated, DFS/Bet Karma, and Props.com.

My favorite type of content focuses on finding edges through advanced analytics, in places people often don’t think to look. I enjoy using my articles to teach others how to find these metrics and edges for their future bets.

Justin Bales Expertise

Let’s dive in to Justin’s areas of expertise:

NCAAB

My favorite sport is college basketball. There’s nothing quite like March Madness, and I’ve consistently found success in bracket leagues on DraftKings. I generally focus on prop bets, using rates over baseline metrics to find the biggest edges in games.

NCAAF

College football is one of the most electric sports, and I’ve technically been covering it the longest. I focus heavily on matchups and pace, tied in with advanced metrics like air yards or line yards created.

NFL

I’ve done the most work on the NFL, as it’s the most popular sport for bettors. I’ve handled game bets (spreads, totals, etc.), player props, matchup analysis, and everything in between.

MLB

Baseball is arguably the most analytical sport. Once again, I focus heavily on props, specifically home runs and strikeouts. The advanced analytics in baseball make it one of the more fun leagues to truly dig deep on.

FAQ

Why did you decide to become a sports journalist?
I’ve always loved sports, and it was an easy transition, with my first writing gig coming during my freshman year of college.
How do you research and verify the information in your articles?
I often research advanced metrics and cross-reference them with multiple outlets, including official league sites.
What is most important for you when writing sports content?
Easily digestible content. I want to make my point with advanced metrics, but the main purpose is to make it easily digestible.
How do you stay up to date with sports and leagues you cover?
I’m researching seven days a week, regardless of whether the games are in the past or future. I also use social media to stay up to date with beat reporters.
Do you have any direct experience in sports (playing, coaching, officiating, or analytics)?
I previously played multiple sports in high school, but I opted to focus on academics in college. That’s a main reason I have the analytics knowledge I have today.
More about Justin Bales

Recent Articles by Justin Bales