The American League West was friendly to baseball betting fans as all of its teams sported a positive ROI (Return on Investment) last season, something no other division could claim. That means that, overall each of the four teams were profitable investments for bettors, all showing double-digit gains in specific categories.
Hopefully, last year’s wagering numbers will unveil some clues to help develop a baseball betting strategy for this season in the American League West Division:
AT THE WINDOOWS:
LOS ANGELES ANGELS (2009 Finish: 102-69, Won AL West)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 16/1, Pennant: 8/1, Division: 9/5
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 68-43, Underdog: 34-26
Home: 53-33, Away: 49-36
Day: 37-15, Night: 65-54
Vs. Left: 39-20, Vs. Right: 63-49
Over/Under: 85-78-8
One-Run Games: 30-19
Sportsbook Buster: Angels backers enjoyed a return on investment (ROI) of +29.1 percent if they played LA in each of the 60 games it was an underdog last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Los Angeles had an ROI of +19.6 percent against left-handed starting pitching last year.
SEATTLE MARINERS (2009 Finish: 85-77)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 20/1, Pennant: 12/1, Division: 5/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 49-25, Underdog: 36-52
Home: 48-33, Away: 37-44
Day: 26-21, Night: 59-56
Vs. Left: 28-30, Vs. Right: 57-47
Over/Under: 66-88-8
One-Run Games: 35-20
Sportsbook Buster: The Mariners an ROI of +16.3 percent as a favorite last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Seattle posted an ROI of +11.5 percent when matched against right-handed starting pitching last year.
TEXAS RANGERS (2009 Finish: 87-75)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 25/1, Pennant: 12/1, Division: 13/5
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 47-34, Underdog: 40-41
Home: 48-33, Away: 39-42
Day: 23-20, Night: 64-55
Vs. Left: 29-27, Vs. Right: 58-48
Over/Under: 61-92-9
One-Run Games: 19-18
Sportsbook Buster: The Rangers had an ROI of +13.7 percent in the role of an underdog last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Texas had an ROI of +11.2 percent in the 43 day games it played last season.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS (2009 Finish: 75-87)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 66/1, Pennant: 35/1, Division: 17/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 24-28, Underdog: 51-59
Home: 40-41, Away: 35-46
Day: 24-28, Night: 51-59
Vs. Left: 19-31, Vs. Right: 56-56
Over/Under: 79-80-3
One-Run Games: 15-23
Sportsbook Buster: The A’s had an ROI of +11.7 percent in day games last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Oakland had an ROI of +9.4 percent in games against right-handed starting pitchers last year.
ON THE FIELD: Oddly enough, the division that was friendliest to bettors could be the most contentious among players and teams. Certainly, the Mariners and Rangers have closed the gap on the Angels and the Athletics, with a young pitching staff, could prove meddlesome, if not an outright contender. That said LA, which has won five of the last six division titles, still is the team to beat, even after ace John Lackey left for Boston and stalwarts Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins found employment elsewhere. The Angels boast three strong starters in Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and Scott Kazmir as well as a bevy of professional hitters to get the lead to closer Brian Fuentes. They’re the team to beat. Seattle really helped itself in the off-season, acquiring pitcher Cliff Lee from Philadelphia while enticing Figgins to move up the coast from LA and getting Casey Kotchman to make the move from Boston. Oh yes, and the Mariners still have hit machine Ichiro Suzuki and quality starter Felix Hernandez, too. Look for Seattle to apply pressure to LA. The Rangers also have division title aspirations, banking on the hitting of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and newly acquired Vlad Guerrero in a very hitter-friendly ballpark. Rich Harden, who came over from the Cubs, will buttress the pitching staff, if he can remain healthy. Like Seattle, Texas has a chance to threaten LA for division supremacy. Oakland will need pitchers Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer to remain healthy to solidify an emerging pitching staff that the potential to be very good. But the A’s were ninth in the American League in runs scored, a position that doesn’t figure to improve without Matt Holliday. As last place teams go, Oakland should be pretty good.
