Be Aware of Team Chemistry Shifts
By: Jim Feist
All right, so few of us liked science, math and chemistry when we were in school. Believe it or not, turning a profit in the world of sports betting is rife with the importance of utilizing mathematics and chemistry. Understanding the basics of math in wagering is obvious, allowing us to build a case for or against a certain pitcher based on his stats, either overall or on the road, or broken down against certain teams and lineups.
The dynamics of chemistry are not as easy to detect, but they can be equally important. Team chemistry in baseball takes various forms. One is clubhouse chemistry. This is how players and managers get along. Some teams are overachievers, seemingly with more wins than their stats suggest they should have. The Angels under Mike Scioscia the last few years are a good example.
They play hard for him and are aggressive on the base paths and in the field. In 2002 they won the World Series under his guidance and in 2004 he wasn't afraid to bench clubhouse cancer RF Jose Guillen, who put up good numbers but was a pain in the neck. They shipped Guillen out of town the next year and still won the AL West. Scioscia understands the importance of team play and a positive clubhouse.
All eyes are going to be on the Buffalo Bills during preseason and in practice as they added WR Terrell Owens. A great talent, yes, but a guy who brings a big ego and other problems with him onto every team he joins. Since 2003 he has been with the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys and now the Bills. The only chemistry with him is when he looks in the mirror.
Chemistry is also noticeable in a baseball team's lineup. For instance, the best teams are often the ones with offensive balance, as opposed to ones simply stocked with home run or average hitters. The White Sox in 2005 changed their lineup from one that was all home run power to one that was far more balanced, trading one power hitter for LF Scott Podsednik. His 59 steals and .290 average vastly improved the Chicago offense atop the batting order on their way to winning the World Series.
One of the problems the Angels have had in recent years was too many slumping sluggers and not enough table setters. In the offseason they lost prize slugger Mark Teixiera, but the signing of Bobby Abreau was a good one. He is patient and draws walks and has been a huge asset, leading the team with a .406 OBP. Teams are better off with balanced lineups that feature guys who can steal bases or several who are patient at the plate to draw walks, tire out opposing pitchers and clog the bases.
Another form of chemistry is that teams change over the course of a season. The Oakland A's have been textbook examples much of the last decade. General Manager Billy Beane preaches that he spends the first third of the season analyzing what he has, the middle third adding pieces that are needed, and the final third is the REAL team that he has put together. In 2004, Oakland started 12-15 before Beane made adjustments and that team won 91 games. In 2005 they started 17-32 before finishing with an impressive 88 wins. Understand that managers and general managers are making adjustments during the season to change team chemistry and direction. The team that stumbled badly in May might suddenly be red-hot in June, July or August.