The Indians were the surprise team in the American League
Central Division a year ago, not only winning on the field, but at the wagering
windows, as well. MLB betting devotees know that Cleveland cashed in by posting
positive ROI (Return on Investment) numbers in 19 of 24 categories, meaning,
for example, that if gamblers bet the Indians in all home games, they earned a
profit of 8.5 percent. Players did even better wagering on Cleveland the 52
times the team faced a left-handed starter, notching an ROI of 15.8 percent.
And, in 72 games within the American League Central Division, the ROI on the
Tribe was a healthy 16.4 percent.
Of course, there's no guarantee that Cleveland again will dominate baseball
betting statistics in the AL Central, especially now that Detroit, which was a
paltry 6-12 straight up versus Cleveland last year and posted a -8.8 percent
ROI within the division, has added 3B Miguel Cabrera and starting pitcher
Dontrelle Willis to the roster.
The Twins and White Sox are anything but weak sisters and even the doormat
Royals were anything but unfriendly to baseball betting fans when they were on
the road last season.
Let's see if we can't find some clues for the upcoming season in last year's
betting numbers:
CLEVELAND INDIANS (2007 Finish: 102-71, Won AL Central)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 11/1,
Pennant: 6/1,
Division:
7/5
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 77-45,
Underdog: 25-26
Home: 55-30,
Away: 46-41
Day: 27-18,
Night: 75-53
Vs. Left: 33-19,
Vs. Right: 69-52
One-Run Games: 30-24
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: The Indians had an ROI of +10.3
percent in the role of an underdog last season, meaning that a bet on Cleveland
in each of those 51 games would have netted the bettor a tidy profit.
Sports Betting Angle: Cleveland feasted on teams from the AL
Central Division, notching an ROI of +16.4 percent last year.
DETROIT TIGERS (2007 Finish: 88-74)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 11/2,
Pennant: 7/2,
Division:
5/6
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 61-50,
Underdog: 27-24
Home: 45-36,
Away: 43-38
Day: 30-24,
Night: 58-50
Vs. Left: 28-15,
Vs. Right: 60-59
One-Run Games: 22-22
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: The Tigers posted an ROI of
+23.2 percent against left-handed starters last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Detroit had an ROI on +19.4 percent in
the role of an underdog last year.
MINNESOTA TWINS (2007 Finish: 79-83)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 50/1,
Pennant: 30/1,
Division:
12/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 52-43,
Underdog: 27-40
Home: 41-40,
Away: 43-38
Day: 28-26,
Night: 51-57
Vs. Left: 22-24,
Vs. Right: 57-59
One-Run Games: 22-22
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: It's easy to see why the Twins
weren't contenders in the AL Central last year, posting an ROI of -26.6 percent
within the division.
Sports Betting Angle: Minnesota had an ROI of +20.3 percent
versus teams from the AL West last season.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (2007 Finish: 72-90)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 40/1,
Pennant: 20/1,
Division:
7/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 34-33,
Underdog: 38-57
Home: 38-43,
Away: 34-47
Day: 25-36,
Night: 47-54
Vs. Left: 16-28,
Vs. Right: 57-59
One-Run Games: 16-26
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: The White Sox were surprisingly
adept within the division last year, finishing 39-33 with an ROI of +13.4
percent.
Sports Betting Angle: Chicago was stymied by lefties, posting
an ROI of -25.2 percent against southpaws last season.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (2007 Finish: 69-93)
Future Book Odds for 2008:
World Series: 100/1,
Pennant: 50/1,
Division:
40/1
By the Numbers:
Favorite: 13-15,
Underdog: 56-78
Home: 35-46,
Away: 34-47
Day: 21-23,
Night: 48-70
Vs. Left: 19-26,
Vs. Right: 50-67
One-Run Games: 21-22
Sportsbook MLB Betting Buster: The Royals had an ROI of +6.4
percent on the road last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Kansas City's ROI against the AL east
was -29.7 percent last year.
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