The only suspense in this division will be at the baseball betting windows where gamblers see if LA's field dominance again translates to some wallet-fattening or if bookmakers adjust their money line prices to such an extent that the Angeles become a betting liability.
Interestingly, each of the four team's viability at the windows was directly linked to their success on the field as LA, which won the division by 21 games last year, also was the American League West's best bet, finishing the year +20.6 units. Seattle which was last in the division, ended the year -37.2 units.
Of course, no one wagers on one team in every game it plays so baseball betting die-hards will have to find gambling opportunities on a number of teams if they want to survive the long season.
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 (2008 Finish: 101-65, Won AL West)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 13/1, Pennant: 13/2, Division: 4/7
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 70-51, Underdog: 31-14
Home: 50-33, Away: 51-32
Day: 31-11, Night: 70-54
Vs. Left: 33-18, Vs. Right: 68-47
One-Run Games: 32-22
Sportsbook Buster: Angels backers enjoyed a return on investment (ROI) of an astounding +51.8 percent if they played LA in each of the 45 games it was an underdog last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Los Angeles had an ROI of +34.7 percent in day games last year.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS (2008 Finish: 75-86)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 35/1, Pennant: 16/1, Division: 2/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 38-37, Underdog: 37-49
Home: 42-37, Away: 32-48
Day: 24-31, Night: 51-55
Vs. Left: 25-28, Vs. Right: 50-58
One-Run Games: 25-24
Sportsbook Buster: The A's had a dismal ROI of -13.9 percent in day games last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Oakland had an ROI of -8.2 percent on the road last season.
TEXAS RANGERS (2008 Finish: 79-83)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 70/1, Pennant: 35/1, Division: 8/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 28-25, Underdog: 51-58
Home: 40-41, Away: 39-42
Day: 19-24, Night: 60-59
Vs. Left: 21-31, Vs. Right: 58-52
One-Run Games: 28-18
Sportsbook Buster: Rangers backers reaped an ROI of +12 percent on the road of last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Texas had an ROI of +12.9 percent against right-handed starting pitching but -15.3 percent versus left-handed starting pitching last season.
SEATTLE MARINERS (2008 Finish: 61-101)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 100/1, Pennant: 50/1, Division: 10/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 21-37, Underdog: 40-64
Home: 35-46, Away: 26-55
Day: 21-32, Night: 40-69
Vs. Left: 21-31, Vs. Right: 40-70
One-Run Games: 18-30
Sportsbook Buster: The Mariners had negative stats in 22 of 24 baseball betting categories, including a stunningly awful ROI of -34.9 percent in 58 games as a favorite.
Sports Betting Angle: Seattle posted an ROI of -27.2 percent in road games last year.
ON THE FIELD: With record saves leader Francisco Rodriguez and slugger Mark Teixeira both heading to New York, you might think the Angels are in trouble. Think again. A rock-solid starting pitching staff makes LA the favorite to win its fifth division title in six years. The Rangers led the Majors in runs but the team also had the worst ERA in baseball and committed the most errors, areas that will deny Texas a playoff spot again this season. Oakland tried to address its need for offense-—the A's scored the fewest runs in the American League last year-—by getting Matt Holliday from the Rockies but the team just isn't strong enough to be a legitimate contender for post-season play this year. There is little recommend about the Mariners, a team that has had just winning season since 2003. The starting rotation does not have a single pitcher who won 10 games last year and, aside from Ichiro Suzuki, not much offense, either.
