There’s nothing like having a great pitcher to back on a consistent basis on the MLB betting line. Here at Bang the Book, we’re monitoring the most profitable starting pitchers that money could buy thus far on the season.

We’re officially past the quarter pole of the season, and the All-Star Break will be here before you know it! This is an article you’re definitely going to want to read, as it will go over all of the worst money pitchers on the MLB odds this season.

Cole Hamels may want to go ahead and write his name on the top of his list in permanent marker, because it doesn’t look like the one time Phillies ace is going to be leaving any time soon. Hamels has been awful on the MLB betting lines near the halfway point of the 2013 MLB season, with a record of 2-13 -$1507. Surprisingly, Hamels has not been run early nearly the amount of times you might believe. Despite his abysmal record, Hamels has gone at least five innings in every start so far this season and has only given up more than four earned runs in an outing four times. It looks every bit that a black cat or two crossed his path and his record should be better, but until the hex is removed Hamels is a stay away pitcher.

If you want to talk about a pitcher that deserves his spot in this list, look no further than Joe Blanton. Blanton (2-11, -$1147) was seen as a reliable Mark Buehrle style innings eater when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed him to a 2 year/$15 million dollar deal this offseason, but the Angels have experienced a serious case of buyer’s remorse with Blanton (and half the other players on their roster). The Angels gave Blanton a much needed day off last week to let him try to figure some things out, but is on the bump again this Tuesday.

Young Jeremy Hefner got some luck in upping his record to 2-11 -$905 this week thanks to a walk-off three-run home run from Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Hefner’s peripherals aren’t that bad this year and his main crime is pitching for a star crossed team like the Mets, but his walk rate is high compared to last year and extra base runners are not welcome additions to the basepaths.

The inexplicable season of Dan Haren continues, as the one-time Cy Young continues to post loss after loss against the MLB odds. Haren (4-10, -$731) has now lost on the baseball betting line in each of his last seven starts despite historically posting stats that sabermeticians long after in pitchers. With Haren, the simple fact is he is giving up way too many long balls. In his last 10 games, Haren has given up 13 dingers and it’s been even worse recently with six home runs allowed in his last three starts. Haren continues to be a control guru and is stingy with his walks, but his strikeout rate is not once it once was and neither is Dan Haren.

With a 1.84 ERA, Dodgers’ ace curveballer Clayton Kershaw isn’t on many worst of lists, but has not been a money maker at all this year. Due to his elite status, the betting odds usually have him as a strong favorite so despite his team’s 8-7 record on Kershaw starts this year, bettors are -$439 playing the boys in Dodger blue. Kershaw won his last start as a -163 favorite against Pittsburgh, but the Dodgers lost as -180 and -219 favorites at home against the Diamondbacks and Padres in his two starts before that although Kershaw pitched well. Losses as a huge favorite like those though are killers for your bankroll during baseball season and LA has now lost four games in which Kershaw was at least a -170 favorite.

Date/Time: Tuesday, June 18, 7:05 p.m. (ET)

Television: KCAL, WWOR

MLB Betting Odds: TopBet

Money Line: Yankees -125, Dodgers +120

Total Line: 8

The floundering Dodgers are hoping a trip back to their birth state will bring them new life as the boys from Chavez Ravine have dropped six of their last eight to fall into dead last in the NL West, 7.5 games behind division-leading Arizona. As they attempt to right the ship, they’ll turn towards their rookie sensation Ryu, the young Korean lefthander who has dazzled the National League with a 6-2 record and a 2.85 ERA in his first 13 Major League starts.

In the first base dugout at the New Yankee Stadium, an injury-riddled lineup will support former first-rounder and 2010 All Star, Phil Hughes. A workhorse for the Bronx Bombers a year ago, Hughes has struggled to find consistency in 2013, failing to throw at least six innings in six of his 13 starts. Perhaps more alarming to the Yankee faithful has been Hughes’ inability to pitch effectively at home, where he has recorded just one win in six outings.

There will be numerous storylines throughout this series, such as the return of Yankee great Don Mattingly, current Dodger’s manager, or the old team from Brooklyn hoping to make a triumphant return. While the series will no doubt be historic, the focus in Tuesday’s contest should be on the pitchers, as neither lineup has faced the young hurlers. Despite Yankee Stadium’s reputation as a hitter’s park, this game will be controlled by the two arms. Look for Mattingly’s club to take advantage of Hughes’ struggle with his control and for Ryu to mystify the Bombers for an easy victory.

Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -130

Our MLB power poll is back, as we analyze all of the best and worst money teams in the bigs that MLB betting action has to offer through 6/17/13.

1: Pittsburgh Pirates (41-28, +$1,610) (LW: 1): The most surprising story in baseball continues to stay atop our Power Poll after going 4-2 in action this week. Gerrit Cole has thus far lived up to the hype, going 2-0 in his first two major league starts and rewarding the club’s faith in him after other prospects from the talented 2011 draft class have started to make their mark.

2: Oakland Athletics (42-29, +$1,098) (LW: 4): The rejuvenated Bartolo Colon has been a big reason why the A’s have continued to surprise this year and his control has been the reason why. The big right hander simply has not let guys earn a free trip to first this year, allowing a scant 10 walks in 90.1 innings of action.

3: St. Louis Cardinals (44-25, +$1,116) (LW: 2): The best team in baseball slips down to #3 in this week’s poll, but has continued to line the pockets of MLB betting enthusiasts, particularly away from home. Outside the friendly confines of Busch Stadium, the Cardinals are 25-13 +$1,076, easily the best overall record and best money record in baseball thus far.

4: Baltimore Orioles (40-30, +$983) (LW: 7): After struggling last week, Chris Davis is back on track hitting three dingers this week and bringing his total to an MLB best 23. Somewhat lost in Chris Davis’ Brady Anderson type season has been the performance of uber-prospect SS Manny Machado. With a triple slash line of .358/.495/.854 it’s not anathema to consider him the best young prospect in the game, even ahead of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout.

5: Atlanta Braves (41-28, +$781) (LW: 3): Atlanta took a bit of a fall in this week’s ranking, but Braves fans can still smile about their club being 6.5 games clear of Washington in the NL East right now. Visitors must have the infamous Tomahawk Chop ringing through their ears when they play in Turner Field as the Braves are an MLB best 23-8 +$1,122 at home this season.

6: San Diego Padres (35-34, +$745) (LW: 14): A little home cooking turned out to be just what the Padres needed as they vaulted up our rankings this week thanks to sweeps of the Braves and the Diamondbacks. P Jason Marquis continues to be an amazing acquisition, with a 9-2 record for San Diego this year. Sabermeticians may cry out that his W/L is inflated because of his 1.39 WHIP but Marquis will get an All-Star nod out of his hot start.

7: Cincinnati Reds (42-28, +$680) (LW: 10): The Reds went 5-2 this week, but feasting on bottomfeeders like the Cubs and Brewers won’t get a big bump in the rankings. If the Reds can match that record against the Pirates and Diamondbacks this week though, they’ll be sure to vault up next week’s poll.

8: Boston Red Sox (42-29, +$678) (LW: 6): The more things change the more they stay the same. This was the year that a team like Toronto or Tampa Bay was supposed to win the AL East, but instead the Red Sox find themselves in first as they try to put more and more distance between this season and Bobby Valentine. Boston has gotten it done with offense this year, averaging over five runs a game en route to being the MLB’s most productive team thus far.

9: Arizona Diamondbacks (37-32, +$523) (LW: 8): Getting swept by the Padres may have left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Diamondbacks, but they should be able to wash that taste out with a home series against the lowly Marlins to start the week. Patrick Corbin continues to dominate in the majors, and with a potential Archie Bradley call-up looming late in the season the Diamondbacks may have the best 1-2 punch of arms in baseball.

10: Cleveland Indians (34-34, +$466) (LW: 13): The Indians may not get in front of Detroit again this season, but a 4-2 record on the week gets them back to .500 and stops the skid. Young guns Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis have Cleveland fans harkening back to the mid-90s though and better days seem to be on the horizon for the Tribe.

11: New York Yankees (38-31, +$409) (LW: 5): Despite falling this week, the Yankees are still wildly overachieving per advanced stats. The Yankees +4 run differential belies a team that should be a game or two over. 500 at best, instead of the seven games over that the Yankees happen to be this season. If some of their high priced talent makes it back in time for a stretch run, we could be in for one treat of a pennant race.

12: Minnesota Twins (30-36, +$264) (LW: 12): Minnesota’s strategy of not completely bottoming out and rebuilding like the Astros may drive their fans crazy, but continues to make bettors money. Mid-level signings like P Kevin Correia were made with the intent of keeping the club respectable and out of the cellar and the production of old stand-by’s like Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer have put a Band-Aid over the Twins’ organizational woes.

13: Colorado Rockies (37-33, +$162) (LW: 11): MLB may say that they took the juice out of Coors Field, but don’t tell that to the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies are second in the league in runs (352), fourth in the league in OBP (.336), and first in the league in slugging (.453). The question now is whether or not they can keep up this torrid production with SS Troy Tulowitzki on the DL.

14: Houston Astros (26-44, -$66) (LW: 17): How can you be 18 games under .500 and one win away from being a profitable team to bet on the year? By being the Astros! Houston knew that their first season in the brutal AL West would be tough, but so far have shown a pulse where one wasn’t expected to be. The team looks to be coming around slowly and with their knack for adding minor league talent at the deadline, it’s only a matter of time before Houston completes the turnaround.

15: Kansas City Royals (33-34, -$123) (LW: 19): Kansas City has now won 10 of their last 12 and is showing the form that some expected with the immense amount of young talent on the roster. P James Shields has not had the record to show for it, but has quietly been just what Kansas City was hoping for this year. Shields is sitting at an impressive 1.11 WHIP and 2.79 ERA despite having a W/L of 2-6 and has proven to be just the ace this club has been looking for.

16: San Francisco Giants (35-33, -$137) (LW: 16): No team in baseball has a more pronounced home/road record per the betting odds than the Giants. At home, San Francisco is an impressive 21-11 +$666 for bettors, but on the road the Giants are a dreadful 14-22 -$803. Barring Larry Ellison bargaining to pay off the national debt in exchange for the Giants to play all their games at Pac Bell Park, this team has got to get better on the road.

17: Texas Rangers (38-31, -$236) (LW: 9): Cue the Tom Petty, because the Rangers are free falling. If you had the misfortune of playing the Rangers all week with a $100 unit, you lost almost $900. That’s what happens when you lose six straight home games to the Indians and Blue Jays. Texas needs to pull it together soon because their next four series are against the A’s, Cardinals, Yankees, and Reds.

18: Toronto Blue Jays (32-36, -$284) (LW: 24): Maybe the Blue Jays are showing signs of life, maybe RA Dickey was not a terrible signing, maybe Toronto shouldn’t have traded for half of a Marlins team that massively underachieved in 2012. The one thing that’s certain is that Toronto is playing good baseball right now, going 8-2 in their last 10.

19: Tampa Bay Rays (36-33, -$457) (LW: 15): In years past, it was always the offense that let the Rays down. Whenever oft-injured 3B Evan Longoria went to the DL, scoring runs were equivalent to pulling teeth for Tampa Bay, but 2013 has been different. Longoria has stayed healthy and the offense has produced, but the pitching has let them now with David Price still languishing on the DL and Matt Moore struggling recently. Super prospect OF Wil Myers is being called up today to help further bolster the offense.

20: Detroit Tigers (38-29, -$516) (LW: 18): Jim Leyland may want to consider selling timeshares. Not many people thought it was a good idea to move Miguel Cabrera over to third base permanently, but over the last year and a half Miggy’s defense has improved enough that he has garnered a little bit of Gold Glove buzz.

21: Washington Nationals (34-34, -$522) (LW: 20): To say Dan Haren has been a bust this season is putting it lightly. Haren has been just awful and the 4-8 record he posts surprisingly understates how ineffective he has been. Opponents are teeing off on him, averaging .301 off of Haren, one of the highest averages in the league.

22: Seattle Mariners (31-39, -$750) (LW: 25): Seattle has had no luck scoring runs over the last few years, even after acquiring some very talented prospects through free agency and trades. Jesus Montero, Justin Smoak, and Dustin Ackley were supposed to lead the Mariner resurgence but instead Seattle is a schooner idling in the middle of the water without an engine.

23: Chicago Cubs (28-39, -$792) (LW: 23): SS Starlin Castro has taken a step back this year after being heralded as the best young shortstop in the game before the season started. In 282 ABs, Castro’s triple slash is just .277/.337/.614, much worse than last year’s numbers. Castro has had a much lower than expected BABIP so there is hope for a turnaround, but he’ll still put up lower than expected numbers.

24: Philadelphia Phillies (33-37, -$810) (LW: 21): If you want to look up the definition of unlucky this year, just type in the name of Cole Hamels. Although Hamels is pitching well below his usual standards, his 1.27 WHIP and 4.40 ERA are not indicative of a 2-10 W/L record. With Hamels struggling and Roy Halladay on the DL, the onus has fallen to Cliff Lee. Lee has had a great season, going 8-2 with a 0.98 WHIP and a 2.55 ERA and should be one of the contenders for the Cy Young despite the fact that he is floundering on the Phillies.

25: Chicago White Sox (28-38, -$1073) (LW: 22): Thank God for Miami. Otherwise the White Sox would have the worst road record in the league, posting a 12-24 -$1149 so far in 2013. The boys from the South Side of Chicago have lost three straight one run games to the Astros and need a win on Monday night to prevent the ignominy of getting swept by the worst team in the AL.

26: Milwaukee Brewers (28-40, -$1,416) (LW: 26): This week the Brewers spent the week on the road against Miami and Cincinnati altering wins and losses to go 3-3. It’s been a weird year for the Brew Crew, they had a nine-game winning streak in April, followed by two four-game losing streaks, a five-game losing streak, and a six-game losing streak in May. At least you can say that the Brewers are consistent.

27: Miami Marlins (21-47, -$1,674) (LW: 29): A 3-3 week usually isn’t seen as progress, but Miami will run with it in this instance. The Marlins won their first series against a team not named the Mets after a 7-2 win on Sunday gave them a series win over the Cardinals of all teams. Miami is no longer the total laughing stock they were earlier in the year and have shown signs of life in June. They are no longer on pace to set the record for the most impotent offense of all-time and are actually starting to draw better attend- yeah, that last part isn’t true.

28: New York Mets (25-39, -$1,463) (LW: 27): Meet the new laughing stock, same as the old laughing stock. The Mets had a play that only the Mets could have on Sunday, a Little League type moment where on one play the Mets committed three errors and let two runs score. Oh, and all the errors were in the infield. Of course, the Mets won that game only because the Cubs are the Cubs.

29: Los Angeles Dodgers (29-39, -$1,885) (LW: 28): If you can’t be good, be interesting, and if there’s anything the Dodgers have been the last few weeks, it’s interesting. OF Yasiel Puig has dominated since is call-up and even shrugged off a baseball to the face as no big deal. It was the plunk that launched a thousand ships though, because after Ian Kennedy plunked another Dodger the next inning, we had a WWE style brawl that should have seen Jim Ross join Vin Scully in the booth.

30: Los Angeles Angels (30-39, -$2,041) (LW: 30): Welcome to the -$2,000 club Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim! There are snack cakes and juice boxes by the wall, and a portrait of the 2003 Detroit Tigers hanging in the far corner. The Angels problems have stemmed from one main area, pitching. Angels’ pitchers are averaging a 4.34 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP, two of the worst numbers in the majors, and Joe Blanton is leading the way admirably with a 1-10 record attached to a gag-inducing 1.63 WHIP.

Date/Time: Monday, June 17, 7:05 p.m. (ET)

Television: ESPN

MLB Betting Odds: VietBet

Money Line: Chicago (+185)   St. Louis (-200)

Total Line: 7.5

Game Overview

Chicago heads into Game 1 of this four-game set against its NL Central Division rivals fresh off a 4-3 loss to the New York Mets this past Sunday as a 101 road underdog. The Cubs won the first two games of that series and they are now 4-4 in their last eight games. Overall, they are 28-29 including a 13-18 record on the road. The total has gone OVER in four of their last seven games.

On paper, the Cubs do not look so bad with a team ERA of 3.90 that is ranked eighth in the National League to complement an offense that is producing an average of 4.05 runs per game. Anthony Rizzo leads the team with 39 RBI and 10 home runs. Chicago will go with Travis Wood as its starter on Monday night. The left-hander is 5-5 this season with a 2.65 ERA. He has posted 12 quality starts in his last 13 outings including one in early May against St. Louis. Wood is 3-2 lifetime against this team with an ERA of 4.71.

The Cardinals lost two of three to Miami this past weekend to fall to 4-4 in their last eight games. At 44-25 overall, they still have the best record in the NL and lead Cincinnati by 2.5 games in the division. St. Louis is 19-12 at home this season and the total has gone OVER in five of its last seven games.

This team has been the complete package through its first 69 games with a pitching staff that is ranked second in the NL with a team ERA of 3.29 and a collection of bats that are hammering out an average of 5.04 runs a game. The biggest bats belong to Allen Craig (51 RBI and six home runs) and Carlos Beltran (44 RBI and 16 home runs). Look for Shelby Miller to get the start for St. Louis in this series opener. The right-hander was tagged for four runs on five hits his last time out to fall to 7-4 on the year. He comes in to this matchup with an overall ERA of 2.21. Miller will be making his first ever start against Chicago on Monday night.

Free MLB Pick

The Cubs are just 3-8 in Woods last 11 starts in the first game of a new series while St. Louis is 6-1 in Game 1 of its last seven series. Look for these trends to continue as the Cardinals quickly get back to their winning ways with a victory on Monday night.

St. Louis 6      Chicago 3

Sunday, June 16, 8 p.m. (ET)

Television: ESPN

MLB Betting Odds: Bookmaker

Money Line: San Francisco (+146)   Atlanta (-156)

Total Line: 8

Game Overview

San Francisco took the first game of this weekend series 6-0 on Friday night as a 126 road underdog but found itself on the wrong end of a 6-5 decision in Game 2 as a 173 underdog on the road. The total went OVER the seven-run line on Saturday afternoon after staying UNDER the seven-run line in Game 1. The Giants are now 5-5 in their last 10 games and 35-32 overall. They are 14-21 on the road this season and the total has gone OVER in four of their last five games.

The big question for Sunday night’s rubber match is how well the Giants’ pitching will hold up after getting tagged for 26 runs in their last three losses. Tim Lincecum is scheduled to get the start and comes in with a 4-6 record on the year and a 4.70 ERA. The right-hander has allowed just three earned runs over his last 11 plus innings pitched after giving-up 15 earned runs in his three previous starts before this run. Lincecum is 7-5 lifetime against the Braves with a 2.99 ERA.

The Braves are just 4-6 in their last 10 starts but still holding a 5.5-game lead over Washington in the NL East. They have been especially good at home this season with a 22-8 record in 30 games at Turner Field. The total has gone OVER in four of their last six games.

Atlanta continues to be the most complete team in the National League. It boasts a pitching staff that is ranked second in the NL with a team ERA of 3.28 and its lineup is averaging 4.34 runs a game. Freddie Freeman has already knocked-in 45 runs and Justin Upton leads the team with 15 home runs. Dan Uggla and Evan Gratis have also been deadly with the long ball with a combined 27 homers. Julio Teheran will be on the mound for the Braves on Sunday night. The right-hander allowed five earned runs in six innings this past Monday against San Diego and is now 4-3 overall with a 3.62 ERA. He is 1-0 against San Francisco with a 3.86 ERA.

Free MLB Pick

Neither team has been playing true to form over the past few weeks, but the Braves remain tough to beat in their own park with a 6-1 record in their last seven home games. Stick with this winning trend to continue as Atlanta takes the three-game series with another victory on Sunday night.

Atlanta 5       San Francisco 3

Saturday, June 12, 7:15 p.m. (ET)

Television: FOX

MLB Betting Odds: BetDSI

Money Line: New York (+108)   Los Angeles (-118)

Total Line: 8.5                

Game Overview

The Yankees current losing streak reach four games with a 5-2 loss on Friday night at Angels Stadium as 145 road underdogs in Game 1 of this three-game weekend set. They have fallen three games in back of Boston in the AL East at 37-30 overall and are 18-17 on the road. The total stayed UNDER the eight-run line in that game and it has now stayed UNDER in seven of their last eight games.

New York is ranked fifth in the American League in team pitching with an ERA of 3.65, but it has been tagged with 19 runs during this four-game skid. The offense has done little to close the gap with a total of 10 runs during the same span. David Phelps will be on the mound in Game 2 as the Yankees’ starter. The right-hander is 4-3 on the year with a 3.90 ERA. His last time out he held the Mariners to one run on three hits over six innings of work. Phelps has now given-up one earned run or less in four of his last six outings.

Los Angeles snapped a four-game skid of its own this past Thursday with a 9-5 victory over Baltimore as a 101 road underdog. It is has gone 4-6 in its last 10 games and is now a disappointing 29-38 on the year and a full 11 games in back of Oakland in the AL West. The Angels are 16-18 at home this season and the total has gone OVER in five of their last eight games.

One encouraging sign for this team is the 14 runs it banged-in over the past two games after scoring just 12 runs in its previous four contests. On the year, Los Angeles is ranked seventh in the AL in scoring with an average of 4.43 runs through its first 67 games. The Angels will go with Tommy Hanson as their starter for this game. Last Saturday he held Boston to just two runs on seven hits to get the win but he also issued four walks and ran his pitch count to 114 in five innings. Overall, the right-hander is 3-2 with an ERA of 4.12. He is 2-0 against New York with a 3.48 ERA.

Free MLB Pick

The Yankees appear to be getting a bit road weary heading into the ninth game of an extended 10-game West Coast swing. Phelps should do a good job at keeping this matchup close but with New York’s bats staying cold stick with the Angels to add to its misery with another win on Saturday night.

Los Angeles 4     New York 3

Date/Time: June 14, 2013 10:05 p.m. EST

Television: YES, FSW

Starting Pitchers: Wilson(Los Angeles Angels) v Pettite(Yankees)

MLB Gambling Odds from BetDSI

Moneyline: Angels -140

Total: 8

The Bronx Bombers have put together an impressive first half, considering the significant injuries to several top players. Despite a lineup that lacks a hitter with a batting average over .300, the Yanks have put together timely hitting and consistent pitching to stay in the hunt.

Meanwhile, the Angels are still waiting on sluggers Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton to produce their usual Ruthian statlines while rotating starting pitchers looking for the right combination. While the Halos appeared to be on their way back to AL West supremacy after an eight game winning streak in late May, they have failed to win a series since and currently boast a 10-under, 28-38 record.

The weekend series will open with a matchup of two southpaws as Andy Pettite takes on C.J. Wilson. The aging Pettite has been consistent all season, posting a 5-3 record and a steady 3.82 ERA. Meanwhile, his opponent has been eratic, dropping five of his last six decisions since opening the season with three straight wins.

The Angels have been anything but reliable this season. Despite a lineup heavy with right handed hitters, they have not hit lefties well this season and should struggle against Pettite. Look for Wilson to throw a lot of pitches early, leaving the game up to the Angels inconsistent bullpen.

New York Yankees at LA Angels Pick: New York Yankees -120

Oakland’s red hot play has helped them leapfrog the Texas Rangers in the AL West standings. The Athletics are back to winning close games and getting great pitching like they did last year. No one can be counted out of the NL West at this point (not even the Los Angeles Dodgers). The NL West is full of teams who have potential, but also have lots of flaws.

BangtheBook wants to give baseball bettors some extra information to try to stay ahead of the books this year. This MLB betting article will be done twice a week during the baseball season to give you trends to consider before wagering your money on baseball. Let’s look at trends to consider for series’ this weekend.

-Boston is just 7-19 in their last 26 meetings with Baltimore. It was the Orioles who really started the Red Sox slump that lasted more than a season at the end of 2011. Boston is at the top of the AL East standings right now, but the Orioles aren’t far behind.

-The Dodgers need to get on track, and they might have the right opponent to do that with this weekend. Los Angeles will be in Pittsburgh for a three-game series starting Friday. The Dodgers are 66-23 in their last 89 meetings with the Pirates. This is one of those trends though that means a lot less than it used to, since the Pirates are a much better team than they have been in recent years.

-Totals bettors might want to keep an eye on the Kansas City vs. Tampa Bay four-game series this weekend. The under is 25-9-3 in the last 37 meetings between these two teams. Kansas City actually leads the American League in team ERA. Who would have expected that before the season started?

-The Mariners are 15-33 in their last 48 Friday games. Their opponent on Friday night this week will be the Oakland Athletics. The A’s are 19-7 in their last 26 Friday games. Oakland has been a money making machine against teams with a losing record of late. The Athletics are 41-10 in their last 51 games against a team with a losing record.

-Cleveland has been struggling of late, so they have to be glad to see an Interleague series against the Washington Nationals on the schedule for this week. The Indians are 7-0 in their last 7 home Interleague games.

-The Chicago Cubs haven’t been any good on the road, and the New York Mets haven’t been any good at home. The Cubs are 28-65 in their last 93 road games. The Mets are 23-47 in their last 70 home games. Somebody has to win this weekend!

-Bartolo Colon sure isn’t pitching like a 40 year old. The Athletics are 10-3 in his first 13 starts this year. He’ll be matched up against Hisashi Iwakuma in what should be an amazing pitching duel on Sunday afternoon in Oakland.

-The under is 8-0 in Eric Stults’ last 8 starts for the Padres. He’ll square off against Trevor Cahill and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. The under is 4-0-1 in Cahill’s last 5 starts against the Padres.

-The under is 10-1 in Chris Sale’s last 11 road starts for the White Sox. He’ll start Friday night against the lowly Houston Astros. The under is also 4-0 in the Astros last 4 games overall.

Walks are a big part of the game from an umpire’s perspective, and often times, the more walks that are allowed, the fewer strikeouts that are allowed as well. Walks, especially early in innings, often cause explosions of runs to be put together too, and any time we see an umpire that has a lot of walks but not a lot of runs being scored, we ask ourselves why that is. Most of the time, the answer is just dumb luck. Today, we’ll look at some of the umpires that are issuing the most walks this year and see whether their betting statistics match up with what we should be seeing.

With the average number of walks per game being right around 6.50, the difference of that extra one walk per game could be huge. The man that is averaging the most walks per game this year is Marvin Hudson. Hudson has called 15 games this year, and he is giving out 7.60 free passes per game. Not surprisingly, his strikeout total is low as well at 14.33 per game, and his runs per game total is high at 10.27. Here’s what we question, though. ‘Over’ bettors are 9-6 in 15 starts for Hudson, and though that’s a good ratio, his numbers when the ‘total’ is set at eight or lower is just 2-4. That’s something that figures to correct itself as time goes by, and it is a trend to watch out for when you see Hudson’s name calling balls and strikes.

Brian Knight is a far more interesting case, though. Knight has also umpired 15 games so far on the season, and he is only just ahead of Hudson in strikeouts at 15.80 per game and just behind him in walks at 7.47 free passes per game. The difference is a relatively healthy 0.60 runs per game as well. Knight is allowing 9.67 runs per game. Still, with all of those splits, it would seem that there should be a lot of ‘over’ games being called. Instead, the ‘under’ is actually making some money with Knight dressed as the head man in blue. He is 7-8 for ‘over’ bettors in his 15 games, and it is clear that if these splits for balls and strikes keep up, there is no way that can continue unless ‘under’ bettors are just going to continually get lucky.

We’ll flip to the other side of the spectrum now and find Doug Eddings, who is issuing the fewest walks in baseball per game at 3.69. This is literally only about 60% of the league average, and you should be able to tell from his run production. An average of 7.31 runs per game is low, but it probably isn’t as proportionately low as it should be with a walk total of less than four free passes per game. Eddings is surprisingly a relatively fair pitcher in terms of ‘overs’ and ‘unders’ with a record of 6-7 in his 13 goes at it. He is averaging a relatively high strike rate at 65.11%, yet his strikeout total is a tad low at 13.7 per game. Eddings is a weird case for sure, so going back to last season is probably a good idea. Last year, Eddings had a high strike percentage again at 64.7%, and his strikeouts were up just a bit, while his walks were up, but only to a modest 5.3 per game. The end result should be a lot more ‘unders’ than ‘overs’. Over the course of the last two seasons though, the ‘under’ is only 23-21, and it probably should be a heck of a lot better than that. Keep that in mind when Eddings is behind the dish next.