Definition of Listed Pitchers

What does the term "listed pitchers" mean in the world of sports betting? What does the term "listed pitchers" mean?

In sports betting, the term "listed pitchers" refers to the two pitchers who are expected to start a baseball game.

For instance - let's say that the Red Sox are playing the Mariners, and the listed pitchers are:

Jon Lester
Felix Hernandez

Now, starting pitchers obviously have a MAJOR impact on the course of a baseball game - more important than any other position, and it's not even close.

When a sports book sets a line for a baseball game, they are taking into account the fact that the two listed pitchers will be playing. For instance, in the example listed above, the Seattle Mariners may be the slight favorites to win, due to the fact that Felix Hernandez is one of the most dominant pitchers in the league.

However, if Felix Hernandez doesn't get the start, the odds for the game will obviously completely change, as the Mariners would no longer be the favorites. For that reason, sports books will include a line such as:

"Listed pitchers must start for bet to be valid"

In the example listed above, if Hernandez was pulled from his start at the last minute, the sports book will return all of the bets on the Red Sox/Mariners game.