posted June 2, 2008 at 17:32 in MLB Betting Trends

When it comes to making winning sports betting wagers while betting on Major League Baseball in the BetUS Sportsbook, those baseball bettors who stick to the age-old adage that good pitching beats good hitting, will end up with bankroll-increasing wagers far more often than not.

With that fact in mind, here is a look at the Major League Baseball pitching staffs ranked No. 11 through 20 up until this point.

MLB Team --- ERA – BA – OBP – OPS – H – R – ER – HR – BB - K

11. Los Angeles Angels - 3.97 - .264 - .327 - .727 – 487 – 225 – 215 – 47 169 – 305

The Angels’ pitching staff may not get the big national press that some other teams’ pitchers may get, but the Angels are clearly formidable on the mound with four solid starters and arguably the game’s best closer in Francisco Rodriguez.

12. Philadelphia Phillies - 3.99 - .267 - .334 - .752 – 503 – 237 – 217 – 51 – 178 – 332

I’ll be totally honest and admit that, once the Phillies get past left-handed starters Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer, and young right-hander Kyle Kendrick, I’m not impressed with this staff at all. However, I will say that closer Brad Lidge looks great after getting jettisoned from the Houston Astros.

13. New York Mets - 4.07 - .248 - .333 - .723 – 442 – 243 – 213 – 54 – 207 – 364

Only two starters have ERA’s under 4.00, (Johan Santana, John Maine), though Oliver Perez does have a winning record, (4-3, 4.83 ERA). Still, until this ballclub can get better production out of its pitching staff, they will continue to flounder.

14. Boston Red Sox - 4.08 - .245 - .326 - .705 – 456 – 246 – 222 – 51 – 210 – 393

Five Red Sox hurlers have ERA’s under 3.00 and none of the are named Josh Beckett or Jon Lester. Maybe it’s me, but I’m thinking the Red Sox’ pitching could actually get better as the season progresses. If veteran Curt Schilling comes back throwing anywhere like he has for the majority of his career, the Sox could be playing in the season’s final series once again.

15. Baltimore Orioles - 4.13 - .253 - .336 - .724 – 450 – 228 – 215 – 53 – 205 – 296

The Orioles have five pitchers with spectacular ERA’s under 3.00 - too bad none of them are starters, unless you’re counting Matthew Kip Albers, (who?) and his 2.25 ERA in two starts and 18 relief appearances.

16. Florida Marlins - 4.25 - .259 - .337 - .741 – 460 – 242 – 220 – 47 – 203 – 319

Go ahead and look up the Marlins’ pitching statistics if you want to, What you’ll see is a group of outstanding relievers, led by closer Kevin Gregg, but a starting pitching staff that is downright mediocre – and will likely start to pay for that fact in a big way very soon.

17. San Diego Padres - 4.28 - .261 - .330 - .731 – 507 – 263 – 242 – 50 – 197 – 381

This team has Jake Peavy and two, so-so starters in Greg Maddux and Randy Wolf and just about nothing else in the way of quality pitchers unless you’re counting youngsters Josh Banks and Bryan Corey.

18. Minnesota Twins - 4.29 - .281 - .333 - .766 – 529 – 255 – 227 – 57 – 138 – 294

Glen Perkins, (no he doesn’t play center for the Boston Celtics) is Minnesota’s best pitcher as far as earned runs are concerned. Other than that I’m not impressed with this staff – although I’ll admit the Twins just keep finding ways to win.

19. San Francisco Giants - 4.36 - .261 - .342 - .764 – 483 – 253 – 234 – 62 – 223 – 416

Tim Lincecum is clearly ‘the man’ now in San Francisco – and that’s a good thing – because the rest of Frisco’s pitching staff literally stinks.

20. New York Yankees - 4.37 - .264 - .329 - .730 – 474 – 241 – 227 – 51 – 165 – 340

Unless Chien-Ming Wang, (6-2, 3.82 ERA) is on the mound, I’m not real confident of wagering on the Yankees – unless they’re playing the Kansas City Royals of course.

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