The only division in the Major Leagues with six teams produced some double-digit baseball betting plays in 2010, a ROI (Return On Investment) bonanza that gamblers hope to replicate during the upcoming season:
AT THE WINDOWS:
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (2010 Finish: 91-74, Won NL Central)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 25/1, Pennant: 8/1, Division: 5/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 73-58, Underdog: 13-18
Home: 52-29, Away: 34-47
Day: 31-28, Night: 55-48
Vs. Left: 26-28, Vs. Right: 60-48
Over/Under: 70-84-8
One-Run Games: 20-22
Sportsbook Buster: The Cardinals had an ROI of -22.6 percent on the road.
Sports Betting Angle: St. Louis had an ROI of -19.2 percent versus NL Central foes.
CINCINNATI REDS (2010 Finish: 78-84)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 25/1, Pennant: 8/1, Division: 5/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 61-33, Underdog: 30-41
Home: 49-33, Away: 42-41
Day: 30-26, Night: 61-48
Vs. Left: 33-23, Vs. Right: 58-51
Over/under: 77-74-14
One-Run Games: 27-27
Sportsbook Buster: The Reds had an ROI of +17 percent against teams within the division.
Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati had an ROI of +11.9 percent as a favorite.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (2010 Finish: 80-82)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 40/1, Pennant: 20/1, Division: 3/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 44-41, Underdog: 33-44
Home: 40-41, Away: 37-44
Day: 29-33, Night: 54-52
Vs. Left: 25-25, Vs. Right: 52-60
Over/Under: 81-74-7
One-Run Games: 26-23
Sportsbook Buster: The Brewers had an ROI of -15.9 percent in day games.
Sports Betting Angle: Milwaukee had an ROI of -8.8 percent at home.
CHICAGO CUBS (2010 Finish: 83-78)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 50/1, Pennant: 25/1, Division: 7/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 38-47, Underdog: 37-40
Home: 35-46, Away: 40-41
Day: 35-42, Night: 40-45
Vs. Left: 26-28, Vs. Right: 49-59
Over/Under: 69-82-11
One-Run Games: 22-32
Sportsbook Buster: The Cubs had an ROI of -21.6 percent at home.
Sports Betting Angle: Chicago had an ROI of -18.4 percent against teams in its own division.
HOUSTON ASTROS (2010 Finish: 74-88)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 100/1, Pennant: 50/1, Division: 25/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 26-21, Underdog: 50-65
Home: 42-39, Away: 34-47
Day: 25-26, Night: 51-60
Vs. Left: 27-18, Vs. Right: 49-68
Over/Under: 68-87-7
One-Run Games: 21-18
Sportsbook Buster: The Astros had an ROI of +33 percent versus left-handed starting pitching.
Sports Betting Angle: Houston had an ROI of +24.5 percent against NL Central Division foes.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (2010 Finish: 62-99)
Future Book Odds for 2011: World Series: 500/1, Pennant: 250/1, Division: 100/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 8-7, Underdog: 49-98
Home: 40-41, Away: 17-64
Day: 17-29, Night: 40-76
Vs. Left: 19-25, Vs. Right: 38-80
Over/Under: 73-78-11
One-Run Games: 20-24
Sportsbook Buster: The Pirates had an ROI of -40.1 percent on the road.
Sports Betting Angle: Pittsburgh had an ROI of +15 percent as an underdog of +200 or more.
ON THE FIELD: The season-ending elbow surgery of Adam Wainwright, who’s won 39 games the last two seasons, certainly is a blow to the Cardinals but St. Louis, with top arms such as Chris Carpenter and promising Jaime Garcia may have enough pitching to survive in a division with four legitimate contenders. The lineup, with Albert Pujols and Matt Holiday in the middle, will score enough runs. The Reds were 49-30 within the NL Central and won the division by six games last year, so there’s optimism in Cincinnati. The starting pitching will have to be stout but the lineup, with Triple Crown candidate Joey Votto backed up by Scott Rolen and Jay Bruce, will drive in a bunch of runs. The arrival in Milwaukee of starting pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum shore up the rotation and the big bats of Ryan Bruan and Prince Fielder will take care of the run production. If it all comes together, the Brewers could be the best team in the division. The Cubs have a new manager but it’s a couple of old names—Carlos Zambrano and Alfonso Soriano—who need to return to top form to make Chicago more than a spoiler. The Astros don’t have much in the way of starting pitching (certainly nothing resembling a stopper) and their infield might be the worst in the Major Leagues. The only drama in Houston will be trying to stay ahead of Pittsburgh. Speaking of the Pirates, it’s difficult to compete when your team payroll is less than $40 million. But the Bucs have a solid bullpen and the lineup, though young, could develop into a solid core unit.
Next: Baseball Betting 2011: Inside the NL 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
