The Cubs won last year's National League Central title (and are favored to do
so again in 2008) but savvy baseball betting fans were more than able to find
wagering nuggets throughout the division by either betting on or against
certain teams in certain situations.
For example, just wagering against Houston in each of its 79 NL Central
division games would have yielded the gambler a strong ROI (Return on
Investment) of 12.7 percent, proving that even a losing team can be a winning
play in some circumstances.
Let's see if, by analyzing last year's betting figures, we aren't able to
uncover some of those winning circumstances for the upcoming season:
CHICAGO CUBS (2007 Finish: 85-80, Won NL Central)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 14/1,
Pennant: 6/1,
Division:
10/11
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 68-65,
Underdog: 17-15
Home: 44-38,
Away: 41-42
Day: 43-39,
Night: 42-41
Vs. Left: 18-25,
Vs. Right: 67-55
One-Run Games: 23-22
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: The Cubs posted an outstanding
ROI of +16.9 percent as an underdog last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Chicago had an ROI of -25.5 percent
versus left-handed starting pitching last season.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (2007 Finish: 83-79)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 30/1, Pennant: 12/1, Division: 2/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 61-41,
Underdog: 22-38
Home: 51-30,
Away: 32-49
Day: 24-30,
Night: 59-49
Vs. Left: 28-23,
Vs. Right: 55-56
One-Run Games: 22-21
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: The Brewers had an ROI of +9.7
percent playing at home last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Bettors lost 18.9 percent of their money
playing Milwaukee in the role of an underdog last year.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (2007 Finish: 78-84)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 45/1,
Pennant: 16/1,
Division:
7/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 39-38,
Underdog: 39-46
Home: 43-38,
Away: 35-46
Day: 27-23,
Night: 51-61
Vs. Left: 29-27,
Vs. Right: 49-57
One-Run Games: 16-20
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: In 35 games against the NL
East, the Cardinals had an ROI of -16.4 percent last year.
Sports Betting Angle: St. Louis had an ROI of -9.3 percent as
a favorite last season.
HOUSTON ASTROS (2007 Finish: 73-89)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 60/1,
Pennant: 20/1,
Division:
10/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 37-33,
Underdog: 35-56
Home: 42-39,
Away: 31-50
Day: 18-27,
Night: 55-62
Vs. Left: 22-23,
Vs. Right: 51-66
One-Run Games: 25-26
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: The Astros' ROI was a division
worst -12.7 percent versus their NL Central foes last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Houston's ROI was -17.6 percent in road
games last season. CINCINNATI REDS (2007 Finish: 72-90)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 60/1,
Pennant: 20/1,
Division:
8/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 32-31,
Underdog: 40-59
Home: 39-42,
Away: 33-48
Day: 19-27,
Night: 53-63
Vs. Left: 23-35,
Vs. Right: 49-55
One-Run Games: 26-24
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: The Reds had a dismal ROI of
-18.9 percent against left-handed starting pitchers last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati had an ROI of -11.5 percent
in the role of a favorite last season.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (2007 Finish: 68-94)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 150/1,
Pennant: 65/1,
Division:
40/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 23-22,
Underdog: 45-72
Home: 37-44,
Away: 31-50
Day: 23-31,
Night: 45-63
Vs. Left: 23-25,
Vs. Right: 45-69
One-Run Games: 16-22
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: A bet against the Pirates in
every game last year produced a profit of 9.5 percent.
Sports Betting Angle: As an underdog of +200 (bet $100 to win
$200) or more, Pittsburgh had an ROI of -31.7 percent last season.
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