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Yes, Clase and Ortiz got caught, but Clase had been carrying out these activities since 2023. The system worked here, but it took its sweet time. It's possible that if Clase hadn't gotten greedy (or, perhaps, if Ortiz hadn't gotten blabby) all of this might have proceeded for a good deal longer. We don't know how many guys got (or are getting) away with pitch-fixing now, but that number probably isn't zero.
-- Rich J.
I don’t think the system worked here. The system just isn’t really designed to catch what Clase and his confederates were doing, though I am pretty shocked you could get down this kind of action on “first pitch,” and then keep doing it to the tune of six figures in profits. It’s because the system can’t regulate this stuff that you have to consider eliminating the exploitable markets. They’re just too easy to manipulate and too easy for a player to justify to himself “hey, it’s just one pitch.” It feels different than throwing a game.
And yes…the chance that Clase or Ortiz were the only guys doing this is probably not zero.
It all comes back to these spot markets. They create the problem, and while I’ll never come out against sports betting, I am in favor of removing markets that are bad for the game.
--J.