Sports Betting Online & Sports Books Reviews

One of the main themes of the 2010 Major League Baseball season has been the improved performance of pitchers. There have been several no-hitters that have been tossed with a few more close calls. Through August 17th, 16 starting pitchers have an earned run average of under three. The lower scoring games have been evident in the over/under results in baseball this season. Of the 30 MLB squads, only 9 clubs have gone over the total in the majority of its games in 2010.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been a clear exception to the trend this season. Arizona (72-45-3 over) has gone over the total in 2010 in more than 61% of its contests. The Diamondbacks have given up an average of 5.5 runs per game to rank as the worst pitching staff in baseball. The Milwaukee Brewers rank second in the over rankings with an over mark of 63-50-7. Like Arizona, Milwaukee has been unable to find some consistent pitching. The Brewers are allowing 5.3 runs per outing to rank as the third-worst staff in the majors. The Boston Red Sox (60-53-7 over) have been the top over squad in the American League. The Red Sox are one of just two teams in the majors with an average of more than five runs scored per game this season. Boston is averaging 5.1 runs per game to rank just behind the New York Yankees (5.2).

Athletics are top under team

The Oakland Athletics (64-46-8 under) have gone below the total more than 58% of the time this year to rank as the top under squad in the majors. The average total score of an Oakland game has been just 7.9 runs.

The Baltimore Orioles are next on the under list at 66-48-6. The Orioles have managed to produce a majority of unders despite allowing over five runs per game.

On average, the Seattle Mariners (64-48-8 under) have played the lowest scoring games in baseball this season. The typical Mariners game has yielded an average of just 7.6 runs. Seattle is last in the majors in runs scored with just 3.3 runs per outing.

The New York Mets are the top under team in the National League at 64-50-5. Its home stadium has played a role in some of the unders. Since it opened last season, Citi Field has been one of the most favorable pitching ballparks in baseball. 

With just under six weeks to go in the 2010 Major League Baseball regular season, the surprising San Diego Padres are easily the most profitable betting squad this year. San Diego has banked +28.2 units this season through August 17th. The club’s 71-47 record is the best in the National League. After averaging just 69 wins per season in the prior two campaigns, the Padres were picked to finish last in the NL West heading into 2010. An outstanding pitching staff has keyed San Diego’s surge. Opponents have been held to just 3.4 runs per outing this year. The Padres have opened up a 5-game lead in the NL West over the San Francisco Giants.

Another surprise squad in the NL is next in the profit rankings is the Cincinnati Reds (68-51), as they have produced +14.6 units of profit. The team hasn’t produced a winning season since 2000. The Reds hold a 2-game advantage over the favored St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. The other division leader in the NL is tied for third in the profit standings. The Atlanta Braves (+11.0 units) have a 2.5-game edge over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. The squad has posted an MLB-best 43-16 mark at home. In the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays have been the top profit producer at +11.0 units.

Cubs are least profitable team

The Chicago Cubs have clearly been one of the biggest disappointments in baseball this season. The big market club has been the least profitable wagering team in 2010 at -30.6 units. Only the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks have posted worse records in the NL than Chicago’s 50-70 mark.

In the American League, the Seattle Mariners (-26.4 units) have stumbled badly this year after winning 85 contests in 2009. Seattle’s 47-73 record is tied with Arizona for the third-worst mark in the majors. The Mariners weak offense has been limited to just 3.3 runs per game to rank last in baseball in runs scored. While Seattle’s lack of hitting has been a problem, the Diamondbacks (-22.7 units) have been doomed by a woeful pitching staff. Arizona has allowed the most runs in the majors at 5.5 runs per outing. The Pirates (-20.3 units) have the worst record in baseball at 40-79. The club is set to endure its 17th straight losing season. Pittsburgh has managed to win just 13 of its 61 road games this year.     

With the second half of the Major League Baseball season set to get underway on Thursday, the Detroit Tigers will attempt to continue its dominance at home in a bid to win the AL Central division title. At the All-Star break, Detroit has been the most profitable home squad for MLB bettors at +16.8 units. The Tigers are just a half game behind the Chicago White Sox in the division race due in part to a 32-13 record at Comerica Park.

The Atlanta Braves (30-10 home record) are the next most profitable team at +15.7 units. With its strong play at Turner Field, Atlanta has a four-game lead in the NL East at the break. The team that trails the Braves in the NL East is next on the list.

The New York Mets (30-16 home record) have banked +11.4 units at Citi Field in 2010. New York’s pitching staff has allowed the fewest runs at home of any team in the majors at an even three runs per outing.

The Colorado Rockies are fourth on the list at +8.0 units. Colorado has posted a 31-16 mark at Coors Field this season. The Boston Red Sox (29-17 home record) round out the top five at +5.6 units. Over the last decade, Boston has been one of the most consistent home teams in all of baseball.

Cubs are least profitable at home

The Chicago Cubs have ranked as one of baseball’s biggest disappointments in the first half of the season. The club’s inability to play sound baseball at Wrigley Field has been a part of the problem. The Cubs are the least profitable home team in the majors at -13.4 units. While Chicago (20-23 home record) is just slightly under .500 at home, the squad has been a favorite more often than not at Wrigley in 2010.

Another team in the NL Central has also struggled at home this season. The Milwaukee Brewers have dropped -11.6 units at Miller Park this year with a 20-26 record. Only the Arizona Diamondbacks pitching staff has allowed more runs in its home ballpark this season than the 5.7 runs per game allowed by Milwaukee’s hurlers.

In a surprise, the Tampa Bay Rays (26-20 home record) have been the least profitable team in the AL at -9.3 units. While Tampa Bay has put together the best road mark in baseball this season, the club has lost a number of games at home as a large favorite in 2010.

At the halfway point of the 2010 Major League Baseball regular season, Colorado Rockies All-Star right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez has been the top profit producer on the mound at +11.7 units. Colorado has posted a 15-2 record in his 17 starts. In games started by pitchers other than Jimenez, the Rockies have a mark of just 29-36.

New York Mets right-hander Mike Pelfrey is next on the list at +11.3 units. The young hurler has emerged to post a strong 2.96 E.R.A. heading into action on July 5th. The Mets are 13-3 in games that Pelfrey has started this season.

In the American League, veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia (+9.8 units) of the Chicago White Sox has been the top producer for MLB bettors. Despite an earned run average that is just under five, Chicago has won 11 of the 15 contests that Garcia has started for the club in 2010.

In just his second big league campaign, 22-year-old Oakland Athletics right-hander Trevor Cahill has put together a stellar year for his squad. With the help of a 2.74 E.R.A., Cahill (+8.8 units) has enabled the Athletics to post a 10-3 record in his 13 outings this season. Another young starter has come up big for his team this season. 24-year-old right hander Kris Medlen of the Atlanta Braves is just behind Cahill at +8.7 units. The Braves have lost only once in ten starts by Medlen in 2010.

Lack of offense hurting Cubs starting pitchers

A couple of Chicago Cubs starting hurlers are among the least profitable pitchers in baseball this season. Veteran right-hander Ryan Dempster is the least profitable starter at -9.3 units. While Dempster has posted a solid E.R.A. of 3.54, a lack of run support has led to a record of just 6-11 for Chicago in his 17 appearances this season.

Reigning AL Cy Young award winner Zach Greinke is just behind Dempster at -9.2 units. While Greinke hasn’t been able to dominate like he did in 2009, he has still been the ace of the Roayls staff in 2010. However, Kansas City is just 5-12 in his 17 starts. Like Dempster, Cubs lefty Tom Gorzelanny (-8.7 units) has pitched in some tough luck this season. Despite a 3.34 E.R.A., Chicago has managed to win only two of Gozelanny’s ten starts this year. Jeremy Guthrie of the Baltimore Orioles and Ryan Rowland-Smith of the Seattle Mariners round out the top five least profitable list at -7.9 units

With the halfway point of the 2010 Major League Baseball season about 20 games away, the San Diego Padres are the most profitable team in the game. Despite a low payroll and a roster of unheralded players, San Diego has banked +14.8 units of profit for baseball bettors this season.

At 37-26, the Padres have the best record in the National League. Pitching has been the key for the club. The Padres are allowing just 3.2 runs per outing to lead all of baseball. In contrast, San Diego is only 25th in the majors in offense at 4.1 runs per contest.

The Washington Nationals (31-33) are the next most profitable team at +8.8 units. The Nats are respectable in 2010 after posting the worst record in the majors in 2009. Heralded rookie pitcher Stephen Strasburg has won his first two starts for the squad after being the top overall draft choice in last year’s draft.

With a 34-30 record, the Toronto Blue Jays have been the top producer in the American League at +8.3 units. The Blue Jays have pounded out an MLB-high of 99 homers to help offset the loss of standout pitcher Roy Halladay during the offseason.

The Atlanta Braves (37-27) are the only other team that has produced more than seven units of profit at +7.1 units.

Orioles in range of dubious record

The Baltimore Orioles are on the brink of one of the worst seasons in the history of baseball. At 17-46, Baltimore has been the least profitable squad in the majors at -23.4 units. On its current pace, the Orioles would finish with a record of 44-118. The team is just barely ahead of the pace for the worst record in a single season.The expansion New York Mets in 1960 set the record for futility with a mark of 40-120.

While Baltimore wasn’t expected to contend in the loaded AL East this season, the Seattle Mariners were expected to challenge for the AL West title in 2010. With Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee forming a potent duo at the top of the rotation, the Mariners had a feared pitching staff heading into this season. With a 24-39 record, Seattle has been one of the biggest disappointments in all of baseball at -17.4 units. In the National League, the Chicago Cubs (28-35) have been the least profitable club at -16.5 units.

Through the first two months of the Major League Baseball season, the surprising Toronto Blue Jays have been the most effective team against right-handed starting pitchers. With a 27-16 record against right-handers, Toronto has banked +13.9 units of profit. Home runs have keyed a surprising start for the club.

The Blue Jays lead the majors with 89 homers. Jose Bautista has emerged to pound an MLB-high 16 home runs. Eight players in the lineup are on pace to hit more than 20 home runs this season.

The San Diego Padres (22-14 vs. right-handed starters) are next on the list with +9.6 units. While San Diego is averaging just 4.2 runs per game against right-handers, the Padres have allowed just 3.1 runs per outing in the 36 contests.

The Washington Nationals are in the third spot with +9.4 units. While the Nats are just 20-18 against right-handers, the squad has been in the underdog role more often than not this season.

The Cincinnati Reds (20-15 vs. right-handed starters) are next with +5.6 units. The Padres, Nationals and Reds are at .500 or better in 2010 after posting losing marks in 2009.

O’s struggling against right-handers

After a horrendous start in the first couple of weeks of the season, the Baltimore Orioles have been unable to put together any kind of a run in 2010. At -10.2 units, the Orioles have been the worst team in the majors against right-handed starters. Baltimore has posted a 10-23 record against right-handers this season.

In the National League, the Houston Astros have endured a tough couple of months to begin the year. Houston (13-28 vs. right-handed starters) is just behind Baltimore with -9.8 units. In the 41 games, the Astros have been held to an average of under three runs per contest. Arizona is next on the list at -9.3 units. The Diamondbacks are just 15-25 against right-handers in 2010.

Cabrera emerges as favorite in home run chase

While Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard began the year as the favorite to lead the majors in home runs during the 2010 regular season, Detroit Tigers first sacker Miguel Cabrera is now at the top of the pack with odds of +200. With 14 homers, Cabrera is tied for second in the majors in home runs. Albert Pujols (+350) is next on the list. He has hit 12 home runs this season and is tied for second in the NL in homers.     

The ability to hit left-handed pitching can make or break many Major League Baseball squads. Most starting pitchers in the majors are right-handed. So, hitters can struggle at certain times to adjust to a left-hander that is thrown into the mix. Many left-swinging hitters are overmatched against any kind of capable left-handed hurler. The ability of a team to handle left-handed pitchers can be a challenge. Based on the circumstances of a schedule, clubs may face a good amount of lefty starters or just go against them every once in awhile. For example, the Tampa Bay Rays have played almost half of its games this season against left-handed starters.

Through May 23rd, Tampa has played 20 contests against left-handed starting hurlers. In contrast, the Houston Astros have played only 8 games against left-handed starting pitchers this season. With a 15-5 record against lefties, the Rays have been the most profitable squad in the majors against lefty starters with +8.1 units.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (8-6 vs. left-handed starters) are next on the list at +7.6 units. The next squad on the list could be considered a bit of a surprise. With two of the top left-swinging batters in all of baseball, the Minnesota Twins are a team that would seem to be a little vulnerable to left-handed pitching. However, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are capable enough at the plate to adjust against lefties. This season, the Twins are 9-4 against left-handed starters for +5.2 units of profit.

Phillies mediocre against lefties

Like Minnesota, the Philadelphia Phillies have a couple of the top left-swinging hitters in baseball. Led by Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, Philly has one of the most explosive lineups in the majors. However, left-handers have slowed down the Phillies so far this season. Philadelphia (5-7 vs. left-handed starters) is the least profitable team against lefty starters for -7.2 units.

With a 5-9 record, the Seattle Mariners are next on the list at -5.4 units. A slow start by slugging first baseman Prince Fielder has contributed to Milwaukee’s problems against lefties this season. The  Brewers (-5.3 units) are 5-9 against left-handed starters. The San Francisco Giants have also dropped -5.3 units versus lefty starters with a 6-9 mark in 2010. Another NL West club has been mediocre against lefties this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers (6-7 vs. left-handed starters) have lost -5.1 units against left-handers.

With about 20% of the 2010 Major League Baseball season in the books, a surprise team has established itself as the most profitable road club in the early going. The Toronto Blue Jays have banked +10.9 units of profit in away outings in 2010. Toronto has posted a 12-5 road mark in 17 contests this season. After trading away ace right-hander Roy Halladay in the offseason, the club was projected to be one of the weaker squads in the American League this year.

Another AL East club is just behind Toronto in terms of road profitability. The Tampa Bay Rays (+8.5 units in away games) has the best road record in baseball this season at 13-4. In its 17 road outings through May 10th, Tampa Bay is allowing just 2.5 runs per game.

The next most profitable team is the Washington Nationals. While the club is just 7-6 in road outings, the Nats have banked +6.4 units of profit away from home. After having the worst record in the majors in 2009, the Nationals have been sizable underdogs in most of its away contests in the early portion of the 2010 season.

The only other squad that has produced more than four units of profit on the road this year is the Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee has been the highest scoring away team so far in 2010 at 6.4 runs per outing. The club is 11-8 (+4.1 units) in away games but has the worst home record in the majors at 4-9.

Three NL clubs are the least profitable on the road

Three National League squads that were expected to be playoff contenders in 2010 are struggling on the road in the early going. The Atlanta Braves (6-14 away record) have been the least profitable road team in baseball this season at -9.1 units. An inconsistent offense has hurt Atlanta in the early portion of this season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (5-11 away record) are next on a dubious list at -8.4 units in road contests. LA’s pitching has been an issue in the team’s disappointing start this year. After a frustrating 2009 campaign, the Chicago Cubs were looking for a bounce back season in 2010. So far, some road struggles have hurt the team. The Cubs (7-12 away record) have lost -6.9 units for its backers away from Wrigley Field. 

After three weeks of action in the 2010 Major League Baseball season, the Tampa Bay Rays have turned the biggest profit for sports bettors. Tampa Bay has generated +8.1 units of profit with an MLB best 14-5 record. The Rays lead the majors in runs per game at 5.9 runs per outing while the pitching staff is allowing only 3.3 runs per contest.

Tampa Bay has odds of +725 to win the World Series. The Minnesota Twins (+5.7 units) have also started the year strongly in the American League with a 13-6 mark. Minnesota is gaining momentum in the World Series pool. At odds of +600, the Twins are only behind the New York Yankees (+280) among AL clubs.

In the National League, a couple of the weaker teams from the 2009 campaign have been the most profitable squads in 2010. The Washington Nationals (10-9, +5.6 units) and San Diego Padres (11-7, +5.3 units) were both projected to be last place clubs again this season. The Padres are tied with Philadelphia and St. Louis for the top record in the NL heading into this week. At +375, the Phillies are the top World Series choice in the league followed by the Cardinals (+475).

Orioles continue to struggle

While most teams in the majors are hovering around the .500 mark entering this week, the Baltimore Orioles have separated themselves from the pack as the worst team in the major leagues. Baltimore (3-16, -12.7 units) is the only team in baseball with a record that is worse than four games under the .500 level. A couple of playoff teams from last year are behind the O’s as the least profitable teams in the majors so far in 2010. The Boston Red Sox (8-11, -6.9 units) and Los Angeles Dodgers (8-10, -5.1 units) have both gotten off to slow starts in 2010. While Los Angeles is just three games behind San Diego in a tight NL West race, Boston is already six games back of the Rays and 4.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.

NL West clubs are top over teams

A couple of NL West squads are the top over teams in baseball after three weeks of action. The Dodgers (13-5) and Diamondbacks (12-5-1) have both gone over the total in more than 70% of its respective games. With a 12-4-2 mark to the under, the Cleveland Indians have been the top under club in baseball this season.

After the first nine days of the 2010 Major League Baseball season, a couple of American League squads that were expected to finish in last place are off to a quick start. Despite a roster of no-names, the small-market Oakland Athletics have jumped out to a 6-2 start for +4.8 units of profit. In its first eight contests, the A’s have allowed only 3.1 runs per outing. In the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays were expected to struggle in 2010 after parting ways with longtime ace hurler Roy Halladay. Through seven games, the club has posted a 5-2 mark for +4.9 units. Outfielder Vernon Wells is tied for the MLB lead in homers with five to pace the Toronto offense. In the National League, San Francisco (+5.2 units) and Philadelphia (+4.5 units) have both started 6-1. The Phillies offense leads the majors with over seven runs per game in the early going.

Astros are struggling

The Houston Astros could be in for a long, hot summer based on its early efforts. Houston (-7.3 units) is 0-7 in its first seven contests. With veteran slugger Lance Berkman on the disabled list, the Houston offense has been limited to less than two runs per game in the early going. With series at St. Louis and Chicago this week, the Astros will be hard pressed to get any victories on the board in the next few days. In the American League, the Angels, Orioles and Mariners have all gotten off to slow starts. Baltimore (-5.7 units) was hoping to make some modest improvement in the loaded AL East but the club has dropped six of its first seven decisions. While the Orioles weren’t expected to contend for a postseason spot, the same can’t be said of the Angels and Mariners in the AL West. Despite opening at home in its first seven games, Los Angeles (-4.7 units) has started 2-5. The pitching staff that is usually one of the AL’s best has struggled in the first week of the season by allowing over six runs per game. In Seattle (-4.3 units), offense has been the problem for the 2-6 Mariners. The club is averaging less than three runs per game.

Early over/under trends

In terms of totals results, the Marlins and Pirates have been the top over teams with records of 6-1. In contrast, the Orioles have been the top under squad at 6-1.