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MLB
Sunday, May 20
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One telling stat for every American League team
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Baseball, more than any other sport, is a game of numbers. Unlike basketball or hockey, which offers more rouge variables, bettors can get a good idea of a team’s makeup just by looking at the stats.
We combed the American League for the most telling stats and figures, in order for MLB bettors to get a quick handle on what to expect when laying down your hard-earned coin on certain teams.
Baltimore Orioles – 60 home runs (First in MLB)
The Orioles’ power surge has pushed them to the top of the majors, but what happens when the well runs dry? Baltimore isn’t the best at small-ball, hitting into a league-worst 49 double plays.
Boston Red Sox – 2.31 ERA last seven days (First in MLB)
The Red Sox are starting to come around after a rough start to the season. Boston may only boast a 4.70 collective ERA but the arms have been sizzling this past week, leading to BoSox to a 5-1 record in their last six.
New York Yankees – 6 relievers on the disabled list
The Yankees bullpen is emptier than a Paris Hilton thought balloon. Joba Chamberlain’s offseason freak accident was just the beginning. New York has lost Mariano Rivera for the season and recently put makeshift closer David Robertson on the 15-day DL.
Tampa Bay Rays – 10-3 in one-run games (Best record in AL)
The Rays have won four straight heading into Thursday and three of those have come by the skin of their teeth. Tampa Bay would be sitting in the basement of the AL East if not for the ability to pull out close wins.
Toronto Blue Jays – 7 blown saves (Most in AL)
The Blue Jays thought they had solved their shaky bullpen by adding some arms this offseason, after tying for the most blown saves in 2011. However, Toronto is right back at spoiling paydays in the ninth inning and would be among baseball’s best if not for those meltdowns.
Chicago White Sox – 4.75 ERA in May (Worst in the AL)
Chicago has played over the total in four straight games and is 10-5-1 over under this month, heading into Thursday’s schedule. The White Sox are just 6-10 in that span with starters Gavin Floyd, Jake Peavy and John Danks getting blown up in the process.
Cleveland Indians – 62 runs scored with RISP and two outs (Most in AL)
The Tribe have surprised with their start to the year, earning Cleveland backers 6.25 units heading into Thursday. The Indians aren’t lighting up the base paths but have been terrific in the crunch, getting timely hits that have made the difference for bettors.
Detroit Tigers – 5.17 bullpen ERA (Worst in MLB)
The Tigers have been a big disappointment to start the year and the bullpen has played a part in that. The relievers have blown six saves and are allowing opponents to hit .270 against them. Detroit’s bullpen has walked 58 batters over 116 2/3 innings.
Kansas City Royals – 5.67 ERA at home (Worst in AL)
The Royals can’t get comfy in Kauffman Stadium, posting a terrible 4-14 record at home and burning bettors for 9.95 units heading into Thursday. Opponents are making themselves at home, hitting .289 in Kansas City. By contrast, the Royals are 11-7 with a 3.27 ERA away from KC this season.
Minnesota Twins – 1 string on consecutive wins
Baseball bettors don’t need to crunch the numbers too hard to figure out Minnesota is rotten. The Twins rank among the bottom in most statistics, but the most telling figure is that this team has managed to win back-to-back games just once this season, coming on April 12. They have a shot at two straight against the Tigers Thursday.
Los Angeles Angels – 7 home runs from seventh inning on (Tied for worst in MLB)
The Halos have hit so poorly to start the year they canned hitting coach Mickey Hatcher this week. Los Angeles has hit just 34 home runs, with only two of those coming off the bat of Albert Pujols. The more telling stat is the lack of power when the team needs it. Remember this come September and October.
Oakland Athletics - .210 BA with RISP (Worst in AL)
The A’s can’t hit, so when they do get a man on first – they’re running. Oakland leads the AL in stolen bases with 38 swipes, but hasn’t been able to cash in those runners. The Athletics are the opposite of “MoneyBall” with a dismal .291 on-base percentage.
Seattle Mariners - .286 on-base percentage (Worst in AL)
The only American League team with a worse OBP than Oakland is Seattle. The Mariners sit near the bottom in most hitting categories and are averaging only three runs per game this month. It’s not surprising why the M’s are just 5-10 in May, heading into Thursday.
Texas Rangers – 18 unearned runs on 18 errors
The Rangers do a lot of things right. But when they do make a mistake, it’s a big one. Texas has made only 18 errors on the year, but averages an unearned run per error on the year. Those mistakes may not seem too alarming in May, but can cost you a season in the fall.
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Sunday, May 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One telling stat for every American League team
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball, more than any other sport, is a game of numbers. Unlike basketball or hockey, which offers more rouge variables, bettors can get a good idea of a team’s makeup just by looking at the stats.
We combed the American League for the most telling stats and figures, in order for MLB bettors to get a quick handle on what to expect when laying down your hard-earned coin on certain teams.
Baltimore Orioles – 60 home runs (First in MLB)
The Orioles’ power surge has pushed them to the top of the majors, but what happens when the well runs dry? Baltimore isn’t the best at small-ball, hitting into a league-worst 49 double plays.
Boston Red Sox – 2.31 ERA last seven days (First in MLB)
The Red Sox are starting to come around after a rough start to the season. Boston may only boast a 4.70 collective ERA but the arms have been sizzling this past week, leading to BoSox to a 5-1 record in their last six.
New York Yankees – 6 relievers on the disabled list
The Yankees bullpen is emptier than a Paris Hilton thought balloon. Joba Chamberlain’s offseason freak accident was just the beginning. New York has lost Mariano Rivera for the season and recently put makeshift closer David Robertson on the 15-day DL.
Tampa Bay Rays – 10-3 in one-run games (Best record in AL)
The Rays have won four straight heading into Thursday and three of those have come by the skin of their teeth. Tampa Bay would be sitting in the basement of the AL East if not for the ability to pull out close wins.
Toronto Blue Jays – 7 blown saves (Most in AL)
The Blue Jays thought they had solved their shaky bullpen by adding some arms this offseason, after tying for the most blown saves in 2011. However, Toronto is right back at spoiling paydays in the ninth inning and would be among baseball’s best if not for those meltdowns.
Chicago White Sox – 4.75 ERA in May (Worst in the AL)
Chicago has played over the total in four straight games and is 10-5-1 over under this month, heading into Thursday’s schedule. The White Sox are just 6-10 in that span with starters Gavin Floyd, Jake Peavy and John Danks getting blown up in the process.
Cleveland Indians – 62 runs scored with RISP and two outs (Most in AL)
The Tribe have surprised with their start to the year, earning Cleveland backers 6.25 units heading into Thursday. The Indians aren’t lighting up the base paths but have been terrific in the crunch, getting timely hits that have made the difference for bettors.
Detroit Tigers – 5.17 bullpen ERA (Worst in MLB)
The Tigers have been a big disappointment to start the year and the bullpen has played a part in that. The relievers have blown six saves and are allowing opponents to hit .270 against them. Detroit’s bullpen has walked 58 batters over 116 2/3 innings.
Kansas City Royals – 5.67 ERA at home (Worst in AL)
The Royals can’t get comfy in Kauffman Stadium, posting a terrible 4-14 record at home and burning bettors for 9.95 units heading into Thursday. Opponents are making themselves at home, hitting .289 in Kansas City. By contrast, the Royals are 11-7 with a 3.27 ERA away from KC this season.
Minnesota Twins – 1 string on consecutive wins
Baseball bettors don’t need to crunch the numbers too hard to figure out Minnesota is rotten. The Twins rank among the bottom in most statistics, but the most telling figure is that this team has managed to win back-to-back games just once this season, coming on April 12. They have a shot at two straight against the Tigers Thursday.
Los Angeles Angels – 7 home runs from seventh inning on (Tied for worst in MLB)
The Halos have hit so poorly to start the year they canned hitting coach Mickey Hatcher this week. Los Angeles has hit just 34 home runs, with only two of those coming off the bat of Albert Pujols. The more telling stat is the lack of power when the team needs it. Remember this come September and October.
Oakland Athletics - .210 BA with RISP (Worst in AL)
The A’s can’t hit, so when they do get a man on first – they’re running. Oakland leads the AL in stolen bases with 38 swipes, but hasn’t been able to cash in those runners. The Athletics are the opposite of “MoneyBall” with a dismal .291 on-base percentage.
Seattle Mariners - .286 on-base percentage (Worst in AL)
The only American League team with a worse OBP than Oakland is Seattle. The Mariners sit near the bottom in most hitting categories and are averaging only three runs per game this month. It’s not surprising why the M’s are just 5-10 in May, heading into Thursday.
Texas Rangers – 18 unearned runs on 18 errors
The Rangers do a lot of things right. But when they do make a mistake, it’s a big one. Texas has made only 18 errors on the year, but averages an unearned run per error on the year. Those mistakes may not seem too alarming in May, but can cost you a season in the fall.
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