MLB Thu, Aug 18, 2005
MLB top five: Hottest over teams
Jeff Mason
In a year marked by rampant steroid accusations, and resulting suspensions, scoring was expected to go down. Who knew it would go this low?
Not the books, that’s for sure. Among the 30 Major League teams, only 10 are currently favoring the over on the season.
Here are the top five teams at cashing the over, their record on the season, and the team’s current run on the over.
Cincinnati Reds (69-49-1 O/U), (11-6-0 O/U)
If oddsmakers have been underestimating the Reds’ pop, they have reason to. Last year, the Cincinnati finished 10th in the National League with 750 runs scored.
This year, in no small part due to the resurgence of Ken Griffey, Jr., the Reds lead the NL with 608 runs through Tuesday’s action.
Griffey aside, much of the Reds’ success at the plate can be attributed to their free-swinging nature. Despite a league-high of 938 strikeouts to date, the Reds lead the league in both home runs and slugging percentage.
On the other side of the coin, Cincy boasts the second worst ERA in the league, behind only the Coors Field-ridden Colorado Rockies.
This staff is headed by gopher ball expert, Eric Milton- the Reds’ lefty has given up a league-high 35 home runs to date, amassing a 6.63 ERA.
Central to these points is the fact that Cincinnati plays it`s home games at the Great American Ballpark. In 62 games this year, the over/under stands at a staggering 41-21, leading one to believe oddsmakers are simply overlooking the conditions of the stadium when determining totals.
Texas Rangers (59-47-12 O/U), (13-0-1 O/U)
The Texas Rangers are another example of great hitting meeting bad pitching.
The Rangers batters can flat out rake; with each of their nine everyday players hitting at least twelve home runs, and producing at least 40 RBIs.
Leading the offensive explosion is first baseman, Mark Teixeira. The big first baseman has 31 home runs and 95 RBIs to date.
Unlike Cinci, Texas’ proficiency in topping totals does not seem to be aided by their ballpark.
In 51 games at Ameriquest Field this year, the over is 29-22, right in line with the Rangers season total.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (62-54-4 O/U), (10-7-1 O/U)
Young, inexperienced pitching has been a thorn in the Rays’ side this year.
Tampa’s staff is headed by 21-year-old Scott Kazmir, who, to date, has compiled a 6-8 record and a 4.04 ERA in 24 starts
It only gets worse after him. From Casey Fossum to Mark Hendrickson, the Rays pitching has the second highest ERA in baseball at 5.51 behind only the Kansas City Royals.
Add to this the fact that Tampa Bay plays in the same division as three of the major leagues most proficient offensive teams, the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays ( first, third, and sixth respectively in overall hitting).
In fact, among all five teams in the AL East, Tampa Bay ranks last in total batting, yet 13th overall.
LA Dodgers (58-52-8 O/U), (13-5-1 O/U)
A supposedly strong pitching staff was supposed to send the Dodgers to the playoffs this year.
While the Dodgers rank around the middle of the pack in batting, their pitching has been disappointing. Brad Penny and Derek Lowe never quite reaching desired form.
It seems that oddsmakers refuse to accept that these top guns are no longer at their peak.
In fact, the Dodgers have had only three non- Coors Field games set over 9.5 this year, those games being against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the aforementioned Cincinnati Reds.
Boston Red Sox (54-49-14 O/U), (14-4-0 O/U)
Statistically, the BoSox possess the top lineup in baseball.
Led by sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, the Sox know how to put up runs. Boston has been especially successful during it`s recent 15-3 run, going over the total in eight straight.
This includes two recent over games against two of the top pitchers in the American League, Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle.
MLB top five: Hottest over teams
Jeff Mason
In a year marked by rampant steroid accusations, and resulting suspensions, scoring was expected to go down. Who knew it would go this low?
Not the books, that’s for sure. Among the 30 Major League teams, only 10 are currently favoring the over on the season.
Here are the top five teams at cashing the over, their record on the season, and the team’s current run on the over.
Cincinnati Reds (69-49-1 O/U), (11-6-0 O/U)
If oddsmakers have been underestimating the Reds’ pop, they have reason to. Last year, the Cincinnati finished 10th in the National League with 750 runs scored.
This year, in no small part due to the resurgence of Ken Griffey, Jr., the Reds lead the NL with 608 runs through Tuesday’s action.
Griffey aside, much of the Reds’ success at the plate can be attributed to their free-swinging nature. Despite a league-high of 938 strikeouts to date, the Reds lead the league in both home runs and slugging percentage.
On the other side of the coin, Cincy boasts the second worst ERA in the league, behind only the Coors Field-ridden Colorado Rockies.
This staff is headed by gopher ball expert, Eric Milton- the Reds’ lefty has given up a league-high 35 home runs to date, amassing a 6.63 ERA.
Central to these points is the fact that Cincinnati plays it`s home games at the Great American Ballpark. In 62 games this year, the over/under stands at a staggering 41-21, leading one to believe oddsmakers are simply overlooking the conditions of the stadium when determining totals.
Texas Rangers (59-47-12 O/U), (13-0-1 O/U)
The Texas Rangers are another example of great hitting meeting bad pitching.
The Rangers batters can flat out rake; with each of their nine everyday players hitting at least twelve home runs, and producing at least 40 RBIs.
Leading the offensive explosion is first baseman, Mark Teixeira. The big first baseman has 31 home runs and 95 RBIs to date.
Unlike Cinci, Texas’ proficiency in topping totals does not seem to be aided by their ballpark.
In 51 games at Ameriquest Field this year, the over is 29-22, right in line with the Rangers season total.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (62-54-4 O/U), (10-7-1 O/U)
Young, inexperienced pitching has been a thorn in the Rays’ side this year.
Tampa’s staff is headed by 21-year-old Scott Kazmir, who, to date, has compiled a 6-8 record and a 4.04 ERA in 24 starts
It only gets worse after him. From Casey Fossum to Mark Hendrickson, the Rays pitching has the second highest ERA in baseball at 5.51 behind only the Kansas City Royals.
Add to this the fact that Tampa Bay plays in the same division as three of the major leagues most proficient offensive teams, the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays ( first, third, and sixth respectively in overall hitting).
In fact, among all five teams in the AL East, Tampa Bay ranks last in total batting, yet 13th overall.
LA Dodgers (58-52-8 O/U), (13-5-1 O/U)
A supposedly strong pitching staff was supposed to send the Dodgers to the playoffs this year.
While the Dodgers rank around the middle of the pack in batting, their pitching has been disappointing. Brad Penny and Derek Lowe never quite reaching desired form.
It seems that oddsmakers refuse to accept that these top guns are no longer at their peak.
In fact, the Dodgers have had only three non- Coors Field games set over 9.5 this year, those games being against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the aforementioned Cincinnati Reds.
Boston Red Sox (54-49-14 O/U), (14-4-0 O/U)
Statistically, the BoSox possess the top lineup in baseball.
Led by sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, the Sox know how to put up runs. Boston has been especially successful during it`s recent 15-3 run, going over the total in eight straight.
This includes two recent over games against two of the top pitchers in the American League, Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle.
