The Twins, Indians, Tigers and White Sox all have a legitimate chance to win the AL Central title but although these teams are evenly matched on the field, baseball betting enthusiasts know that won't necessarily be the case at the wagering windows.
The Royals don't figure to be in contention for the division crown but if last year's results are any indication, Kansas City's inadequacies on the field won't translate into betting distress.
Let's see if we can't find some clues for the upcoming season in last year's betting numbers:
AT THE WINDOWS:
MINNESOTA TWINS (2008 Finish: 88-75)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 20/1, Pennant: 10/1, Division: 2/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 49-28, Underdog: 39-47
Home: 53-28, Away: 35-47
Day: 27-26, Night: 61-49
Vs. Left: 29-24, Vs. Right: 59-51
One-Run Games: 26-26
Sportsbook Buster: The Twins posted a Return on Investment ROI) of +17 percent at home but -10.6 percent on the road last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Minnesota had an ROI of -23.6 percent versus teams from the American League East last season.
CLEVELAND INDIANS (2008 Finish: 81-81)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 22/1, Pennant: 10/1, Division: 2/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 48-43, Underdog: 33-38
Home: 45-36, Away: 36-45
Day: 18-28, Night: 63-53
Vs. Left: 21-23, Vs. Right: 60-58
One-Run Games: 14-17
Sportsbook Buster: Bucking most trends, the Indians had an ROI of +17.4 percent against teams from the AL East last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Cleveland had a feeble ROI of -24.5 percent in day games last season.
DETROIT TIGERS (2008 Finish: 74-88)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 25/1, Pennant: 13/1, Division: 2/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 55-49, Underdog: 19-39
Home: 40-41, Away: 34-47
Day: 25-33, Night: 49-55
Vs. Left: 26-22, Vs. Right: 48-66
One-Run Games: 16-25
Sportsbook Buster: The Tigers were the worst team to bet on in baseball last year, showing a positive ROI in just two of 24 categories.
Sports Betting Angle: Detroit had an ROI of -28.2 percent in the role of an underdog last season.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (2008 Finish: 90-77, Won AL Central Division)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 25/1, Pennant: 13/1, Division: 4/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 61-38, Underdog: 29-38
Home: 55-28, Away: 35-48
Day: 32-22, Night: 58-54
Vs. Left: 31-21, Vs. Right: 59-55
One-Run Games: 22-16
Sportsbook Buster: The White Sox had an ROI of +16.1 percent at home but -13.3 percent on the road last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Chicago was crushed by teams from the AL East, posting an ROI of -29.1 percent last season.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (2008 Finish: 75-87)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 100/1, Pennant: 50/1, Division: 14/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 26-25, Underdog: 49-62
Home: 38-43, Away: 37-44
Day: 30-26, Night: 45-61
Vs. Left: 36-24, Vs. Right: 39-63
One-Run Games: 20-18
Sportsbook Buster: The Royals had an ROI of +35.2 percent against left-handed starters last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Kansas City's ROI in day games was 21.5 percent last season.
ON THE FIELD: This is a wide-open division but we like the Twins, with a young staff that issued the fewest walks in MLB last season. Justin Morneau provides most of the Minnesota run production. The Indians were decimated by injuries but won the most games in the division after the all-star break and will be a factor if they remain healthy. The Tigers' starting pitching fell apart last season but a return to form could move Detroit back to the top of the division. The White Sox have won the division two of the past four years, including last year and could wind up anywhere from first to fourth. The Royals aren't that bad (they won 75 games last year) but making progress in this rough division will be difficult.
