William Foote MLB Article

Detroit: At 8-5 for +$690 through April 19, Detroit sits atop our early season money standings. This is a vast improvement from their bankrupting 43-119 record and -$4565 money mark in 2003. The clawless Tigers finally invested some dough in the off-season, picking up solid role players in Rondell White and Fernando Vina. Of course, the addition of Pudge Rodriguez behind the plate has not hurt things either. Interestingly enough, they are 5-2 away from Comerica, putting them at a lucrative +$645 outside the Motor City. The oddsmakers and betting public refuse to acknowledge this team’s improvement though, as the Cats have been a dog in 12 of their 13 games thus far.

Los Angeles: The City of LA may finally have something to cheer about on the base paths, as the Dodgers enter their late April series with Colorado at 9-3. This actually places them second behind only Detroit in our MLB Money Standings. Not quite as undervalued as the Tigers, the Dodger Blue checks in at a green +$670 through their first twelve games. Los Angeles is doing it in reverse this season, as their team ERA has ballooned from 3.15 in 2003 to 4.75 this season. But their bats have come alive, averaging .288 on the year, which is way up from their anemic average of .243 in 2003. One attribute unchanged is their rock-solid bullpen. Led by the filthy “Goggles Gagne”, L.A.’s pen checks in with an ERA of 2.92. Take a serious look at this club when priced as a money line dog, as they are a wallet-stuffing 6-1 (+$655) vs. just 3-2 (+$15) as a money line favorite.

Baltimore: Another club that made some off-season enhancements, Baltimore places third in our MLB Money Standings at +$555. The addition of Javier Lopez and Miguel Tejada has improved the O’s overall team batting average to .290, up from .267 a year ago. They are also getting it done on the mound, ranking third in the majors right now with a 3.62 team ERA. Note that Baltimore has been a favorite just three times this year. Can you say undervalued? Note also that the Orange Birds are 5-2 (+$425) on the road this season and 5-1 their last six through April 19th. We will keep a serious watch on this team moving forward, as they have been a Wal-Mart bargain thus far in 2004.

Chicago White Sox: At 8-4 for +$530 heading into their April 20th showdown with the “Damn Yankees”, the Sox sit at 4th in our MLB Money Standings. They have won 5 of their last 6 overall and it is no secret how they are doing it. Hitting and pitching! Esteban Loaiza and Jon Garland have a combined 5-0 record and ERA’s in the low 2’s. Note also that these guys have been relatively under priced by the oddsmakers. That is, the Sox have been money line favorites of just -110, -165 and -140 in Loaiza’s three starts and Garland found himself as a +215 underdog in early April vs. Steinbrenner’s Evil Empire. In addition to pitching, Chicago checks in with a .288 batting average on the season, which is good for 10th best in baseball.

Cincinnati: Picked by most pundits to again occupy the NL Central Cellar, Cincinnati sits just a game behind Houston for first in their division and more importantly is 5th in our MLB Money Standings. That is to say, the Reds are a bright green 7-4 for +$505 heading into their April 20 game with the Braves. Ken Griffey is amazingly still healthy and we are already three weeks into April!!! The Kid is actually hitting above .300. Mix in Sean Casey and Adam Dunn and the Cincinnati line up is showing some oomph. Keep an eye on the Reds’ Pete Wilson, as he leads our Starting Pitcher Money Standings at +$470. Cincy has been priced as a dog each of the three times Wilson has taken the hill, twice vs. Greg Maddux and once vs. Philly ace Wolf. Suffice to say, Cincy came away with the hat trick in those starts.