posted July 17, 2008 at 15:59 in MLB Free Picks

1) Cleveland Indians – The Indians come in ranked dead last in overall bullpen output with a unit ERA of 5.13. It owns a 9-18 overall mark with a pathetic save/blown save ratio of 16/15, and opponents are batting .276 (#30 in MLB) in the late innings. It owns a decent K/BB ratio of 210/107 and has allowed 144 earned runs and 275 hits (37 HR) in a shade less than 230 total innings of work. Closer Joe Borowski was ineffective for most of the season forcing management to dispense him his walking papers and hand the closers role over to Masahide Kobayashi whose sealed the deal in five of his seven save opportunities to date. What was one of the Tribe’s strong suits throughout their 2007 campaign simply hasn’t been the case this season, as its cost MLB betting faithful backing the Tribe loads of money in 2008. However, the pitching staff did a fabulous job of limiting Tampa Bay before the break and they’ll look to carry that momentum over into the second half of the season.

2) Texas Rangers – The Rangers franchise has never been known for an exceptional pitching staff, and that belief’s rung true this season as well with the bullpen coming in ranked 29th before the break with a unit ERA of 4.98. The tattered arms of the bullpen staff has allowed opponents to hit safely 355 times thus far, which equates to the largest amount of hits surrendered by a bullpen in the American League and five more than the worst in the NL (Pittsburgh Pirates). On top of that, the 195 earned runs allowed is 51 runs higher than the worst ranked pen in baseball (Cleveland). Thankfully what the Rangers do have is a potent line-up that’s padded MLB underdog betting fans pockets all season long. They only find themselves 7.5-games off the pace for the top spot in the AL West, and could put forth a furious charge throughout the second half if the pitching staff overachieves and the bats stay hot.

3) Pittsburgh Pirates – If only the Pirates played in the NL West! If that were the case, their 44 wins would be good for third place in the division trailing the leader by just three games. That said, they unfortunately play in the competitive NL Central and find themselves 12.5-games off the pace set by the Chicago Cubs. Their offense has been terrific all season long (6th in runs per game at 4.89), but their bullpen hasn’t held many leads evidenced by its 4.63 unit ERA leaving their MLB betting public very unsatisfied. The Buccos have closed out 22 of its 36 overall save opportunities, but closer Matt Capps and his 17 saves are currently on the DL with an aggravated throwing shoulder. The Pirates are a scrappy bunch, but they’ll only go as far as their hitting will take them in the second half since the pitching staff has proven to be a sieve throughout the first half of the season.

4) Washington Nationals – You’re just not going to win many games in this league when your line-up can’t hit (#30 with a team batting average of .239), can’t score (#30 in RPG with 3.65), can’t field (#28 with 69 errors), and most importantly, can’t keep opponents off the board in the late innings (#27 with a 4.34 bullpen ERA). The Nats pen has blown more saves than its earned (17/19), and it’s allowed opponents to bat a lofty .255 against it by allowing 316 hits (29 HR’s) with a K/BB ratio of 272/155 in just 287 total innings of work. The once proud Montreal franchise has floundered for a number of years now, and the folks sitting in that beautiful new ballpark in DC will be forced to sit and watch this garbage for many years to come until drastic measures are made throughout the roster.

Go to the BetUS sportsbook today and take a swing at Major League Baseball online betting. We have the most current baseball odds and lines, as well as player, game and series props throughout the MLB baseball season. To help you bet on sports, check out the Free Picks section of the Locker Room for sports betting free picks and predictions. Join BetUS to experience the best in online sports betting action!