After a 2008 campaign in which all five NL West teams were losing wagers overall, posting unit losses (if you bet on a team every game it played) from -5.3 to -37.2, the division bounced back last season with the Dodgers, Rockies, Giants and Padres all in the plus for baseball betting fans.
What will happen this year?
Let's see if we can develop a baseball betting strategy for this season in the National League West Division:
BY THE NUMBERS:
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (2009 Finish: 99-71, Won NL West)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 15/1, Pennant: 7/1, Division: 2/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 73-51, Underdog: 26-20
Home: 53-32, Away: 46-39
Day: 29-19, Night: 70-52
Vs. Left: 27-23, Vs. Right: 72-48
Over/Under: 76-81-13
One-Run Games: 30-23
Sportsbook Buster: The Dodgers had a return on investment (ROI) of +26.3 percent as underdogs last year.
Sports Betting Angle: LA had an ROI of +10.1 percent against teams within its own division last season.
COLORADOROCKIES (2009 Finish: 93-73, Won NL Wild Card)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 16/1, Pennant: 8/1, Division: 7/3
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 61-44, Underdog: 32-29
Home: 51-32, Away: 42-41
Day: 32-24, Night: 61-49
Vs. Left: 28-29, Vs. Right: 65-44
Over/Under: 75-80-11
One-Run Games: 24-22
Sportsbook Buster: The Rockies had an ROI of +19.7 percent as an underdog last year.
Sports Betting Angle:Colorado had an ROI of +12.1 percent against right-handed starting pitching last season.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (2009 Finish: 88-74)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 20/1, Pennant: 10/1, Division: 4/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 52-29, Underdog: 36-45
Home: 52-29, Away: 35-45
Day: 31-24, Night: 57-50
Vs. Left: 23-21, Vs. Right: 65-53
Over/Under: 68-82-12
One-Run Games: 21-22
Sportsbook Buster: The Giants had an ROI of +10 percent as a favorite last year.
Sports Betting Angle: San Francisco had an ROI of +17.6 percent when offered as an underdog of +200 (bet $100 to win $200) or more last season.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (2009 Finish: 70-92)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 40/1, Pennant: 20/1, Division: 6/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 40-39, Underdog: 30-53
Home: 36-44, Away: 34-47
Day: 18-28, Night: 52-64
Vs. Left: 17-30, Vs. Right: 53-62
Over/Under: 74-78-10
One-Run Games: 20-27
Sportsbook Buster: The Diamondbacks had an overall ROI of -12.3 percent last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Arizona had an ROI of -26.9 percent in games started by left-handers last season.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (2009 Finish: 75-87)
Future Book Odds for 2010: World Series: 100/1, Pennant: 80/1, Division: 50/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 22-19, Underdog: 53-68
Home: 42-39, Away: 33-48
Day: 19-27, Night: 56-60
Vs. Left: 26-29, Vs. Right: 49-58
Over/Under: 78-81-3
One-Run Games: 23-18
Sportsbook Buster: The Padres had an ROI of +25.6 percent in games decided by one run last year.
Sports Betting Angle: San Diego had an ROI of +15.5 percent in games versus the NL East last season.
ON THE FIELD: The Dodgers have power in the middle of the lineup, role players who can get on base and move over runners and a starting pitching staff that is capable but prone to injury. If they can remain healthy, Los Angeles should make a strong run at another NL West Division title. With few obvious weaknesses, the Rockies should challenge the Dodgers for the NL West crown. Colorado has the requisite boppers needed at hitter friendly Coors Field, including Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki, Brad Hawpe, Clint Barnes and Ian Stewart. The starting pitching staff also should be a plus this season. Led by Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum and mates Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez, the Giants have terrific starting pitching. The problem is with an offense that was 26th in the league in runs scored. Unless the pitching staff gets some run production, San Francisco looks like a middle of the pack team. The Diamondbacks imploded when ace Brandon Webb ended last season after just four innings but could be on the comeback trail if everyone remains healthy. Webb heads a strong rotation that also includes Dan Haren and Edwin Jackson and the lineup should get a boost from newly acquired Adam LaRoche and Kelly Johnson. If the pieces fall in the right spots, Arizona could be a surprise contender. The Padres have legitimate stars in catcher Adrian Gonzalez and closer Heath Bell but will either still be with the team after the trading deadline? San Diego is stockpiling young talent but that won't help much this year.
