Performance on the field was duplicated at the windows as baseball betting enthusiasts who stuck with the AL Central Division's top teams, the Twins and White Sox, did better than those who chased the Indians and Royals last season. The Tigers, 81-81 overall, also were very close to .500 as a wagering proposition, posting an ROI (Return On Investment) loss of 1.5 percent.
Of course there were situations and scenarios where any of the division's five teams were a good wager so let's see if we can't sift through last year's betting numbers to uncover some keys for the upcoming season:
AT THE WINDOWS:
MINNESOTA TWINS (2010 Finish: 94-71, Won AL Central)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 20/1, Pennant: 10/1, Division: 3/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 74-38, Underdog: 20-33
Home: 53-30, Away: 41-41
Day: 32-23, Night: 62-48
Vs. Left: 32-26, Vs. Right: 62-45
Over/Under: 78-78-9
One-Run Games: 31-23
Sportsbook Buster: The Twins posted an ROI of +11.6 percent as a favorite but -15.8 percent as an underdog.
Sports Betting Angle: Minnesota had an ROI of +8 percent at home.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (2010 Finish: 88-74)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 30/1, Pennant: 12/1, Division: 7/4
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 54-42, Underdog: 34-32
Home: 45-36, Away: 43-38
Day: 30-18, Night: 58-56
Vs. Left: 20-20, Vs. Right: 68-54
Over/Under: 83-73-6
One-Run Games: 28-21
Sportsbook Buster: The White Sox had an ROI of +19.6 percent as an underdog.
Sports Betting Angle: Chicago had an ROI of +24.9 percent in day games.
DETROIT TIGERS (2010 Finish: 81-81)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 35/1, Pennant: 15/1, Division: 9/4
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 50-36, Underdog: 31-45
Home: 52-29, Away: 29-52
Day: 34-29, Night: 47-52
Vs. Left: 26-21, Vs. Right: 55-60
Over/Under: 79-73-10
One-Run Games: 16-26
Sportsbook Buster: The Tigers had an ROI of +14.8 percent at home but their ROI on the road was -22.7 percent.
Sports Betting Angle: Detroit had an ROI of +11.8 percent against left-handed starters.
CLEVELAND INDIANS (2010 Finish: 69-93)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 200/1, Pennant: 100/1, Division: 25/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 17-17, Underdog: 52-76
Home: 38-43, Away: 31-50
Day: 18-35, Night: 51-58
Vs. Left: 18-28, Vs. Right: 51-65
Over/Under: 72-84-6
One-Run Games: 23-21
Sportsbook Buster: The Indians had an ROI of -21.4 percent in day games.
Sports Betting Angle: Cleveland had an ROI of +19.1 percent in one-run games so don't bet the Tribe's opponents on the run line.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (2010 Finish: 67-95)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 250/1, Pennant: 125/1, Division: 50/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 15-20, Underdog: 52-75
Home: 38-43, Away: 29-52
Day: 22-27, Night: 45-68
Vs. Left: 12-24, Vs. Right: 55-71
Over/Under: 82-75-5
One-Run Games: 27-30
Sportsbook Buster: The Royals had an ROI of -22.6 percent as a favorite.
Sports Betting Angle: Kansas City had an ROI of -9 percent on the road.
ON THE FIELD: The Twins won 94 games with cleanup hitter Justin Morneau missing the second half of the season with a concussion and closer Joe Nathan not pitching at all so what happens when they return this season to join the best catcher in the game, Joe Mauer? Minnesota needs to get its starting pitching in order but the Twins have enough to be favored in get back to the playoffs. The White Sox have to make up six games on the Twins but may be able to do it now that Adam Dunn and reliever Jesse Crain (from the Twins, no less) have joined the club. If Chicago wins the AL Central it probably will be because of its superior bullpen. Expect the Tigers to get back in the AL Central race now that recently acquired Victor Martinez is there to offer protection for Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez. Detroit's starting pitching should be adequate but there are questions about the team's ability to close out games. The gap between the Twins, White Sox and Tigers and the Indians and Royals is huge with the latter two clubs in their own race to avoid the AL Central cellar. Cleveland has all sorts of pitching concerns and the lineup doesn't have much pop. The departures of ace Zack Greinke and outfielder David DeJesus could leave the Royals as the worst team in baseball. Kansas City's farm system is stacked but most prospects still are a couple of years away.
Next: Baseball Betting 2011: Inside the AL West Division
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
