The American League West was not the place to turn for baseball betting enthusiasts as all four teams posted a negative ROI (Return on Investment) last season, a fate avoided by each of the league's other five divisions. However, as savvy wagering wonks fully understand, while none of the teams were profitable overall, each could be a reliable money earner for gamblers in specific situations.
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:
TEXAS RANGERS (2010 Finish: 98-80, Won AL Pennant)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 20/1, Pennant: 8/1, Division: 10/11
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 67-52, Underdog: 31-28
Home: 54-35, Away: 44-45
Day: 22-28, Night: 76-52
Vs. Left: 32-26, Vs. Right: 66-54
Over/Under: 81-88-9
One-Run Games: 30-24
Sportsbook Buster: The Rangers had an ROI of +15.6 percent in the role of an underdog.
Sports Betting Angle: Texas had an ROI of -16.7 percent in the 55 games it played against teams from the American League East.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS (2010 Finish: 80-82)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 30/1, Pennant: 12/1, Division: 5/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 47-40, Underdog: 33-42
Home: 43-38, Away: 37-44
Day: 27-20, Night: 53-62
Vs. Left: 23-28, Vs. Right: 57-54
Over/Under: 68-83-11
One-Run Games: 24-25
Sportsbook Buster: Angels backers enjoyed a return on investment of +12.1 percent if they played LA in each of the team's 47 day games.
Sports Betting Angle: Los Angeles had an ROI of -13.9 percent against left-handed starting pitching.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS (2010 Finish: 81-81)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 40/1, Pennant: 20/1, Division: 7/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 51-28, Underdog: 30-53
Home: 47-34, Away: 34-47
Day: 35-20, Night: 46-61
Vs. Left: 24-21, Vs. Right: 57-60
Over/Under: 68-84-10
One-Run Games: 23-20
Sportsbook Buster: The line pretty much told you how to bet as the Athletics had an ROI of +12.7 percent as a favorite and -18 percent as an underdog.
Sports Betting Angle: Oakland had an ROI of +23.6 percent in day games.
SEATTLE MARINERS (2010 Finish: 61-101)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 125/1, Pennant: 60/1, Division: 25/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 29-28, Underdog: 32-73
Home: 35-46, Away: 26-55
Day: 16-34, Night: 45-67
Vs. Left: 14-36, Vs. Right: 47-65
Over/Under: 66-85-11
One-Run Games: 21-28
Sportsbook Buster: The Mariners had an ROI of -33.9 percent in the team's 50 day games.
Sports Betting Angle: Seattle posted an ROI of -38.7 percent when the team was matched against left-handed starting pitching.
ON THE FIELD: After a trip to the World Series in 2010, the Rangers must contemplate life without their dominating ace, Cliff Lee, who bolted for Philadelphia. But Texas, which will be led by reigning American League MVP Josh Hamilton (.359, 32 HR, 100 RBI), Rookie of the Year closer Neftali Feliz (40 of 43 save opportunities), and a Gold Glove defense, still should be a contender this season, especially if the starting pitching is adequate. After losing more games than they won last year, the Angels have many questions to answer, not the least of which is how to produce more runs from an aging lineup. LA still is in need of a closer after Fernando Rodney failed in that role last September, blowing four of 11 save opportunities. The Athletics enter 2011 with a bunch of young arms that posted the lowest ERA in the American League last year. Oakland looks like the AL version of their Bay Area rival, the San Francisco Giants, who won a World Series last year almost exclusively with pitching. Just a little more offense from freshly acquired Hideki Matsui (Angels), David DeJesus (Royals) and Josh Willingham (Nationals) and the A's should be closer to the Rangers than the Angels in the standings. The Mariners lost 101 games last season, mostly because they could not produce runs. In fact, Seattle scored just 513 runs, not just the fewest since the advent of the designated hitter in 1973 but fewer than any National League team in that 37-year span, as well. The Mariners, who received four prospects when they traded Cliff Lee to Texas, will rely on those youngsters, and several others, to get the job done. But don't expect that to happen this season.
Next: Baseball Betting 2011: Inside the NL East 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
