The teams that were good on the field in the National League Central division also were pretty good to baseball betting fans last year. On the other cleat, the two division teams with losing records, the Reds and the Pirates, rarely merited a gambler's devotion in 2008, trends that are more likely than not to continue in the approaching season.
Let's see if, by analyzing last year's betting figures, we aren't able to uncover some of those winning circumstances for the upcoming season:
AT THE WINDOWS:
CHICAGO CUBS (2008 Finish: 97-67, Won NL Central)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 11/2, Pennant: 3/1, Division: 5/9
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 84-46, Underdog: 13-21
Home: 55-28, Away: 40-39
Day: 48-28, Night: 49-39
Vs. Left: 31-16, Vs. Right: 66-51
One-Run Games: 24-22
Sportsbook Buster: The Cubs posted a return on investment (ROI) of +7.8 percent as a favorite last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Chicago had an ROI of +13.7 percent versus left-handed starting pitching last season.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (2008 Finish: 86-76)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 18/1, Pennant: 8/1, Division: 7/2
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 46-37, Underdog: 40-39
Home: 46-35, Away: 40-41
Day: 27-26, Night: 59-50
Vs. Left: 27-29, Vs. Right: 59-50
One-Run Games: 24-28
Sportsbook Buster: The Cardinals had an ROI of +13.5 percent as an underdog last year.
Sports Betting Angle: St. Louis had an ROI of +10.7 percent versus right-handed starters last season.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (2008 Finish: 91-75, wild card)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 30/1, Pennant: 15/1, Division: 5/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 69-46, Underdog: 22-29
Home: 50-33, Away: 41-42
Day: 35-30, Night: 56-45
Vs. Left: 34-21, Vs. Right: 57-54
One-Run Games: 28-17
Sportsbook Buster: The Brewers were 19-3 straight up and had an ROI of +22.3 percent as a favorite of -200 (bet $200 to win $100) or more last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Milwaukee had an ROI of +8 percent against left-handed starting pitching last year.
HOUSTON ASTROS (2008 Finish: 86-75)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 40/1, Pennant: 20/1, Division: 10/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 40-28, Underdog: 46-47
Home: 47-31, Away: 39-42
Day: 23-21, Night: 63-54
Vs. Left: 26-20, Vs. Right: 60-55
One-Run Games: 21-21
Sportsbook Buster: The Astros had a solid ROI of +11.9 percent for the season in 2008.
Sports Betting Angle: Houston had an ROI of +17.2 percent as an underdog last year.
CINCINNATI REDS (2008 Finish: 74-88)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 80/1, Pennant: 40/1, Division: 15/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 36-37, Underdog: 38-51
Home: 43-38, Away: 31-50
Day: 25-28, Night: 49-60
Vs. Left: 30-25, Vs. Right: 44-63
One-Run Games: 28-20
Sportsbook Buster: The Reds had a dismal ROI of -15.8 percent on the road last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati had an ROI of -18.9 percent against right-handed starters but +10.1 percent against left-handed starters last season.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (2008 Finish: 67-95)
Future Book Odds for 2009:
World Series: 150/1, Pennant: 75/1, Division: 40/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 21-13, Underdog: 46-82
Home: 39-42, Away: 28-53
Day: 20-29, Night: 47-66
Vs. Left: 14-28, Vs. Right: 53-67
One-Run Games: 22-21
Sportsbook Buster: The Pirates had an ROI of +15.3 percent in their 34 games as a favorite last year.
Sports Betting Angle: Pittsburgh had an ROI of -27.2 percent against left-handed starting pitching last season.
ON THE FIELD: The Cubs won the most games in the National League during the regular season but made a quick exit in the playoffs. Nothing short of a World Series appearance will suffice this year. The Cardinals can hit but a bullpen that led the Major Leagues in blown saves (31) will have to improve for St. Louis to make the playoffs. The loss of free agent ace CC Sabathia hurts a Brewers team that led the Majors in last at-bat wins in 2008 with 28. The Astros had the best record in MLB after the all-star break and could again contend for a wild card spot if their starting pitching improves. The Reds have emerging talent but probably are too young to make much noise this season. The Pirates have notched 16 consecutive losing seasons, a streak that will be extended this year.
