posted April 3, 2009 at 12:35 EST in MLB Props
MLB Arms Race - Starting Pitcher Win Props
The 2008 MLB regular season produced several memorable exploits from numerous starting pitchers in both leagues.
While the Cleveland Indians struggled all season long, starting left-hander Cliff Lee came out of nowhere to record a fine 22-win season that garnered him the 2008 AL Cy Young award.
Fire-balling right-hander Tim Lincecum blazed his way to 18 wins in the National League for the lowly San Francisco Giants to beat out 22-game winner Brandon Webb for the NL Cy Young.
With another thrilling MLB season on the horizon, this look at some season-long MLB Futures Props Odds centering on the respective win totals of some of baseball’s best starting pitchers, will keep BetUS MLB betting enthusiasts in the game on an everyday basis while giving them more opportunities to increase the MLB season bankroll.
Brandon Webb total regular season wins
Over 15½ -125
Under 15½ -105
Analysis: This pick is an absolute lock to go Over here as Webb has recorded 22, 18 and 16 wins over his last three seasons and will once again be closer to 20 wins than 15. Webb is a flat-out stud that likely would have won 25 games last season were the Arizona Diamondbacks not so offensively-challenged.
MLB Free Pick: Over 15½ wins
CC Sabathia total regular season wins
Over 15½ -135
Under 15½ +105
Analysis: reaching 16 wins with the New York Yankees this season should also be a ‘lock’ for Sabathia who has blossomed into arguably the best starting pitcher in the game.
Sabathia won 17 games last season splitting time with Cleveland and Milwaukee and won 19 games and the AL Cy Young in 2007. Prior to these last two seasons however, Sabathia had surpassed 15 wins just once, way back in 2001. Still, he easily reaches the 16-win mark in 2009.MLB Free Pick: Over 15½ wins
Josh Beckett total regular season wins
Over 14½ -135
Under 14½ +105
Analysis: Josh Beckett will win 15 games in 2009 – if he can stay healthy. A dominant pitcher, Beckett won just 12 games last season because of injuries, but recorded 20, 16, and 15 wins in the three seasons prior to 2008. I like a relatively young Beckett to reach the 15-win plateau in 2009.
MLB Free Pick: Over 14½ wins
Roy Halladay total regular season wins
Over 15½ -115
Under 15½ -115
Analysis: Okay BetUS MLB sports betting backers, Roy Halladay is once-again, almost certain to reach 16 wins despite playing for what looks like an ordinary Blue Jays team in 2009. Halladay won 20 games last season and recorded back-to-back 16-win seasons in 2007 and 2006. If Halladay stays healthy, I say he reaches 16 wins again.
MLB Free Pick: Over 15½ wins
Cole Hamels total regular season wins
Over 15½ +105
Under 15½ -135
Analysis: While I absolutely love Cole Hamels, I can’t say he’s going to reach 16 wins, particularly seeing as how he’s never done it before. While Hamels unleashed a postseason for the ages in going 4-0 in five starts with a miniscule 1.80 ERA to lead Philadelphia to the World Series title last season, Hamels won only 14 regular season games and just 15 in 2007. Until he surpasses this mark – and he’s starting the 2009 regular season not at full strength – I say Hamels goes Under here.
MLB Free Pick: Under 15½ wins
Tim Lincecum total regular season wins
Over 15½ +105
Under 15½ -135
Analysis: Lincecum won 18 games last season for an atrocious San Francisco Giants team, winning the NL Cy Young award along the way. If you saw how electrifying Lincecum’s stuff is, then you already know recording 16 wins looks like a lock for years to come for Lincecum.
MLB Free Pick: Over 15½ wins
Cliff Lee total regular season wins
Over 13½ -140
Under 13½ +110
Analysis: After winning just five times in 2007, Lee won a whopping 22 games last season to take the AL Cy Young award. However, Lees recorded 14, 18 and 14 wins again from 2004 through 2006 and should be able to reach the 14-win plateau again in 2009, particularly if the Indians’ hitters bounce back from a disappointing season.
MLB Free Pick: Over 13½ wins
Jake Peavy total regular season wins
Over 13½ -115
Under 13½ -115
Analysis: An injured Peavy won just 10 games last season in 27 starts and is no lock to reach 14 wins for the lowly San Diego Padres despite his jaw-dropping arsenal of pitches. A 19-game winner in 2007, Peavy won just 11 and 13 games in 2006 and 2005. It’s a damn shame that Peavy has 20-win stuff but is playing for a team that limits him to only about a dozen wins because of their overall ineptitude. Still, I think Peavy bounces back to win at least 14 games in 2009.
MLB Free Pick: Over 13½ wins
Daisuke Matsuzaka total regular season wins
Over 14½ -115
Under 14½ -115
Analysis: Matsuzaka has recorded 15 and 18 wins in his two big league seasons and is only going to get better with each passing start. The Over is an absolute lock here for Dice-K, who actually looks like a 20-game winner waiting to happen.
MLB Free Pick: Over 14½ wins
Check out all the latest MLB Futures Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook for a complete look at all of the entertaining season-long pitcher win total odds.
