SPORTS BETTING

• Disappointing teams: Will they improve?

  Posted on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT by GetChalk

  
  

  We’d like to tell you it’s easy for teams that play below sportsbooks’ expectations to turn it around midseason, but that simply isn’t the case. There’s good reason the following MLB clubs have stumbled out the gate by our standards, and those shortcomings are difficult to rectify because it speaks to team personnel. Sometimes teams are behind the eight ball simply because their players just aren’t getting it done between the lines.

  One disappointing club that has a real chance to turn it around is the Chicago Cubs (30-31, -8.97 units), the most well documented of the first-half flameouts. The Cubs went into the season as the favorites to win the National League after cashing 97 games last year, but they’ve failed to muster the same amount of offense as a year ago. That’s going to change when Aramis Ramirez returns to the lineup from his shoulder injury in the coming weeks.

  Ramirez was batting .364 when he went down for Chicago, which has gone 12-20 against the moneyline in his absence. The good news for futures bettors that took out a flyer on the Cubs back in spring training is the team is only four games out of first place in the National League Central. When Ramirez comes back, don’t be surprised if the North Siders make a profitable run to the top of the division.

  The same optimistic projection can’t be made for the Arizona Diamondbacks (27-38, -13.59 units), who were supposed to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL West crown this season. Instead, the Diamondbacks will be lucky to catch the San Diego Padres for fourth place in baseball’s weakest division. Arizona can’t score enough runs, and with Brandon Webb (shoulder) on the 60-day disabled list, the pitching staff has sunk to 20th in team ERA (4.45).

  Like we mentioned at the outset, the Diamondbacks aren’t going anywhere because of the players on the roster. You get the sense that if Chris Young hadn’t had such a great rookie season in 2007, he’d already be in the minors. Young is hitting only .186 with a .245 on-base percentage this season, which is only slightly more disappointing than Eric Byrnes’ .218/.262. Expect Byrnes to see limited time after Conor Jackson (pneumonia) comes off the 15-day DL.

  Over in the American League West, much of the same was thought of the Oakland Athletics (27-36, -6.84 units). After picking up Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera, and Nomar Garciaparra in the offseason, the Athletics were a sharp play to upend the Los Angeles Angels in the division, but the Texas Rangers have stolen their thunder. With the exception of Holliday (.275/.376/eight HRs/37 RBIs), the other veterans have been awful.

  There’s a reason they all signed in Oakland: Because they’re at the end of the line, and now A’s backers are left holding the bag. Oakland has one of the worst offenses in baseball, and there isn’t any hope at the end of the tunnel. While the Athletics won’t get back in the playoff race, they’re likely to see better value on the MLB betting odds board as public players start underestimating them.

  Unlike Oakland, the Cleveland Indians (29-38, -9.76 units) have plenty of firepower. Too bad for their bettors their pitching has been so bad, because the Indians have a good enough lineup to contend in the playoffs – and that’s with Grady Sizemore (elbow) on the 15-day DL. 29th in team ERA (5.24), Cleveland is betting on Fausto Carmona (2-6, 7.42 ERA) turning it around and Aaron Laffey (elbow) getting back on the mound.

  Even if that happens, the reality is the only arm the Tribe have is 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee (2.88 ERA). This is a .500 team at best, and that’s disappointing considering the core of the batting order (plus Mark DeRosa) remains intact from the 2007 team that was one win against the Boston Red Sox from getting to the World Series.