2008 National League All-Star Break Breakdown
The baseball season is a bit more than halfway over, and here we'll look at each of the National League teams and see how they perform in certain situations. We'll use the closing money line as the basis for all statistics, so that bettors can see how they fared in a monetary basis. All wagers are calculated in terms of $100 bets.
Arizona Diamondbacks 47-48 -$1,044
The Arizona Diamondbacks haven't put up the type of numbers you would expect from a division leader, but they have done enough to remain at the top of the National League West. The Diamondbacks perform better at home (27-19), where they score well over a run more than they do on the road and have fared better against left-handed pitchers (19-15, +$57) than they have against right-handers.
Atlanta Braves 45-50, -$1,215
The Atlanta Braves have been horrible on the road (15-32, -$1,712) this season, but have performed well at home (30-18, +497), where they tend to score more, especially against right-handed pitchers. In 34 road games, Atlanta is averaging 3.91 runs against righties, but 5.62 runs per game against right-handers at home. The Braves are a dismal 3-10 on the road against left-handed pitchers.
Cincinnati Reds 46-50, -$639
You can add Cincinnati to the list of teams that performs better at home than on the road, as the Reds are just 21-30 (-$799) away from home, but 26-19 (+160) at home. The Reds hit left-handers better, scoring roughly .65 more runs per game against southpaws. The Reds are just 11-18 (-$500) on the road against right-handed starters.
Colorado Rockies 39-57, -$1,844
The Rockies have played much better at home (25-21), but are still a slight losing proposition in the Mile High city, showing a loss of $56. Still, that's much better than the team's dismal road effort (14-36, -$1,789) so far this season. Against left-handers, the Rockies are just 3-8 on the road, but 10-4 at home. Colorado averages less than 3.5 runs per game on the road.
Chicago Cubs 57-38, +560
The Cubs have been one of the pleasant surprises so far this season, but the oddsmakers are quickly catching up with the team, who finds itself as larger favorites all the time. The Cubs have had one of the biggest home vs. away differences this season, going 37-12 (+$1,358) at Wrigley Field, but 20-27 (-$797) away from home. The Cubs have hit left-handers especially hard, averaging 6.42 runs per game against them for the season, including 7.73 runs at home.
Florida Marlins 50-45, +$1,051
The Florida Marlins have been a consistent money making team against right-handed pitchers all season, sporting a 38-31 (+$1,124) record against them, while just 12-14 against southpaws on the year. The Marlins score more than a run more on the road and have shown a profit at home and away. The Fish are averaging 5.75 runs per game on the road against right-handers.
Houston Astros 44-51 -$283
The Houston Astros are another team averaging more runs at home, scoring about .75 more runs per game than they do on the road. Houston has fared slightly better against left-handers this season, scoring 4.74 runs per game, while plating 4.21 runs a game against right-handed pitchers.
Los Angeles Dodgers 46-49, -$953
The Dodgers have been a big disappointment so far this season, but still are just one game back in the standings. Los Angeles has shown a loss in each of the four major categories, although they hit left-handers much better, scoring 5.19 runs per game. The Dodgers are averaging just 3.68 runs against right-handers.
Milwaukee Brewers 52-43 +193
The Brewers have been a great bet against left-handed pitchers, going 21-9 (+851), while they are just 31-34 against right-handed pitchers. The Brewers have been better at home (31-17, +$627) than away. The Brewers are just 13-21 (-$816) against right-handed pitchers on the road.
