The National League East Division has the distinction of housing the best and worst teams in the senior circuit, factors which baseball betting aficionados may be able to use to their wagering advantage again this year. The NL champion Phillies, especially in certain key betting situations, were dependable while the Nationals were dependably awful.
In between were the Braves, Mets and Marlins, three teams that also could be exploited at sportsbooks, provided you knew where and when to play those teams.
With that in mind, let's see if we can't use last year's betting numbers to uncover some wagering angles for the upcoming season.
AT THE WINDOWS:
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (2009 Finish: 102-75, Won NL Pennant)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 6/1, Pennant: 3/1, Division: 1/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 77-52, Underdog: 25-23
Home: 50-39, Away: 52-36
Day: 31-18, Night: 71-57
Vs. Left: 32-19, Vs. Right: 70-56
Over/Under: 81-88-8
One-Run Games: 27-23
Sportsbook Buster: The Phillies had an ROI (Return on Investment) of +16.4 percent in their 48 games as an underdog last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Philadelphia boasted an ROI of +11.7 percent in road games last season.
ATLANTA BRAVES (2009 Finish: 86-76)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 20/1, Pennant: 10/1, Division: 4/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 62-55, Underdog: 24-21
Home: 40-41, Away: 46-35
Day: 24-21, Night: 62-55
Vs. Left: 31-22, Vs. Right: 55-54
Over/Under: 71-84-7
One-Run Games: 27-25
Sportsbook Buster: The Braves had an ROI of +21.7 percent as underdogs last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Atlanta posted an ROI of +12.8 percent in away games last season.
NEW YORK METS (2009 Finish: 70-92)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 22/1, Pennant: 12/1, Division: 6/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 34-30, Underdog: 36-62
Home: 41-40, Away: 29-52
Day: 30-26, Night: 40-66
Vs. Left: 16-27, Vs. Right: 54-65
Over/Under: 72-81-9
One-Run Games: 19-24
Sportsbook Buster: The Mets had an ROI of +13.8 percent in 56 day games last year.
Sports Betting Angle: New York posted an ROI of -19.2 percent in games started by an opposing left-handed pitcher last season.
FLORIDA MARLINS (2009 Finish: 87-75)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 25/1, Pennant: 14/1, Division: 10/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 51-37, Underdog: 36-38
Home: 43-38, Away: 44-36
Day: 23-24, Night: 64-51
Vs. Left: 29-22, Vs. Right: 58-53
Over/Under: 82-70-10
One-Run Games: 30-20
Sportsbook Buster: The Marlins had an ROI of +18.2 percent in road games last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Florida's boasted an ROI of +15.8 percent in the role of an underdog last season.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (2009 Finish: 59-103)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 250/1, Pennant: 125/1, Division: 100/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 12-16, Underdog: 47-87
Home: 33-48, Away: 26-55
Day: 21-26, Night: 38-77
Vs. Left: 10-23, Vs. Right: 49-80
Over/Under: 72-83-7
One-Run Games: 22-24
Sportsbook Buster: With an overall ROI of -15.7 percent, the Nationals were a solid "bet against" last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Washington had an ROI of -34.4 percent in 33 games against left-handed starting pitching last season.
ON THE FIELD: The Phillies have won three straight division titles and should have little difficulty getting a fourth crown. A batting order that includes Chase Utley and Ryan Howard scored a league-leading 820 runs in 2009 and the pitching staff now adds ace Roy Halladay to a quality starting rotation. The only question is at closer where Brad Lidge has had his ups and downs. The Braves could be looking at a wild card spot into the playoffs if they can get some production from a starting outfield that only hit 29 home runs last year. The infield, led by Chipper Jones, is solid but the real strength for Atlanta is one of the best starting rotations in the league. The pitching staff was so solid that the Braves were able to peddle Javier Vasquez to the Yankees for OF Melky Cabrera, who should help the mediocre Atlanta attack. The Mets didn't get much out of their $136 million payroll last year but hope that recently signed JasonBay will add punch to a lineup that already includes stars such as David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes. But once you get past Johan Santana, the pitching staff is weak. The Marlins have a pair of marquee players in SS Hanley Ramirez and pitcher Josh Johnson but don't have an owner willing to spend the cash needed to make them a contender. The Nationals have lost 205 games the last two seasons but could finish as high as third in the division this season if their young starting pitching rotation turns potential into performance.
