The only division in the Major Leagues with six teams produced some double-digit baseball betting plays in 2009, trends that will be well worth monitoring during the upcoming season:
AT THE WINDOWS:
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (2009 Finish: 91-74, Won NL Central)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 14/1, Pennant: 11/2, Division: 4/7
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 70-54, Underdog: 21-20
Home: 46-36, Away: 45-38
Day: 29-31, Night: 62-43
Vs. Left: 28-23, Vs. Right: 63-51
Over/Under: 69-88-8
One-Run Games: 24-22
Sportsbook Buster: The Cardinals had a return on investment (ROI) of +7.8 percent as an underdog last year.
Sports Betting Angle: St. Louis had an ROI of +6.2 percent in night games last season.
CHICAGO CUBS (2009 Finish: 83-78)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 22/1, Pennant: 12/1, Division: 7/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 73-50, Underdog: 10-28
Home: 46-34, Away: 37-44
Day: 44-34, Night: 39-44
Vs. Left: 16-16, Vs. Right: 67-62
Over/Under: 67-86-8
One-Run Games: 16-22
Sportsbook Buster: The Cubs had a dreadful ROI of -40.8 percent as an underdog last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Chicago had an ROI of -10.8 percent on the road last season.
CINCINNATI REDS (2009 Finish: 78-84)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 40/1, Pennant: 20/1, Division: 7/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 29-27, Underdog: 49-57
Home: 39-41, Away: 38-43
Day: 23-29, Night: 55-55
Vs. Left: 19-25, Vs. Right: 59-59
Over/under: 64-90-8
One-Run Games: 19-20
Sportsbook Buster: The Reds had an ROI of +21.2 percent against teams within the division last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati had an ROI of +8.6 percent in away games last season.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (2009 Finish: 80-82)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 40/1, Pennant: 20/1, Division: 8/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 47-40, Underdog: 33-42
Home: 40-41, Away: 40-41
Day: 23-31, Night: 57-51
Vs. Left: 21-18, Vs. Right: 59-64
Over/Under: 86-71-5
One-Run Games: 20-23
Sportsbook Buster: The Brewers had an ROI of -10.4 percent at home last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Milwaukee had an ROI of +7.3 percent against left-handed starting pitching last season.
HOUSTON ASTROS (2009 Finish: 74-88)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 100/1, Pennant: 50/1, Division: 66/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 33-29, Underdog: 41-59
Home: 44-37, Away: 30-51
Day: 24-24, Night: 50-64
Vs. Left: 17-21, Vs. Right: 57-67
Over/Under: 69-87-6
One-Run Games: 24-23
Sportsbook Buster: The Astros had an ROI of -14.3 percent on the road last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Houston had an ROI of -18 percent against NL Central Division foes last season.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (2009 Finish: 62-99)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 250/1, Pennant: 125/1, Division: 100/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 15-16, Underdog: 47-83
Home: 40-41, Away: 22-58
Day: 17-38, Night: 45-61
Vs. Left: 18-26, Vs. Right: 44-73
Over/Under: 70-85-6
One-Run Games: 12-22
Sportsbook Buster: The Pirates had an ROI of -52.3 percent in their 13 games (2-11) as a -200 or greater underdog last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Pittsburgh had an ROI of -29.5 percent in day games last season.
ON THE FIELD: With top starting pitchers Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and freshly acquired Brad Penny, the Cardinals appear built for the post-season. The problem is getting there. Albert Pujols is in the argument for the best player in baseball and the re-signing of Matt Holiday provides some backup. But there just isn't much firepower beyond those two big boppers. The Cubs were a flop both on the field and at the betting windows last year, finishing eight games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central standings and -16.6 wagering units. Chicago does have a solid starting rotation in Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, and Randy Wells but Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto can't carry the offense by themselves. The Reds need to turn promise to production, something that could happen this season if youngsters such as Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs continue to improve and the pitching staff, where ace Edison Volquez is returning from Tommy John surgery, holds up throughout the year. The Brewers have solid middle order production in Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder but a starting staff that had an ERA of 5.37 last year needs to improve for Milwaukee to get back to the playoffs. Yovani Gallardo and off-season acquisition Randy Wolf should be the pitching mainstays. The Astros are aging and thin in their ranks with Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez at the top of the rotation and Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee in the heart of the order. More help is needed. The Pirates have gone 17 years without a winning season, something that isn't going to change in 2010. The organization has traded away its veteran talent for youth, a move that might reap benefits in several years but certainly not this year.
