Best Day-Game Bets in Baseball
Covers.com
What do Superman, your high school calculator and the Detroit Tigers have in common?
They’re all powered by the sun.
That must be the case for Detroit. How else can you explain the Tigers’ flip-flopped 20-16 record in day games and their 16-22 record in the evening?
And, even though Detroit has been much better during the day, it still hasn’t produced profits for bettors. The Tigers are -3.16 units in the hole in the afternoon, which stings less than the -11.17 units burned at night.
Detroit may not be the best day-game bet in baseball, but these five clubs are:
Stats as of June 27, 2012.
Cincinnati Reds (20-9 in day games for 9.98 units)
The Reds are the big surprise of the NL Central, using an insane record in day games to climb to the top of the standings. Cincinnati is hitting at 68 percent during matinees, compared to a sub-.500 record at night (21-23). The Reds’ team ERA dips to 3.30 during the day (from 3.66 in the evening) and they're averaging 4.78 runs in the summer sun, compared to 4.06 at night.
Baltimore Orioles (14-8 in day games for 10.23 units)
The Orioles were the No. 1 stunners in the first quarter of the schedule, dropping jaws all the way to the top of the AL East. Now, Baltimore is coming back to earth, losing five of its last seven. However, the O’s remain the most profitable day-game bet in baseball – for now – bringing in more than 10 of their total 16.34 units under the sun.
New York Mets (18-11 in day games for 8.47 units)
The difference between the Mets at day and night is, well, night and day. New York is just 21-25 under the lights this season, nearly erasing all those day-game earnings. The Mets’ bats heat up from the sun, hitting .272 during the day (fourth best in MLB), compared to .245 at night. David Wright, New York’s finest bat, is hitting .400 with four home runs and 17 RBIs during day action, despite having 70 fewer at-bats than night games.
San Francisco Giants (20-13 in day games for 7.36 units)
When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the bay, do I want to be there in my city. Ohoh ohohoh ohoh! You better believe you want to be there in the City by the Bay. The Giants are storming up the NL West standings thanks to a stellar record in day games. San Francisco’s pitchers boast a collective 3.05 ERA in day games – third lowest in baseball. Preach on it Journey.
Chicago White Sox (18-11 in day games for 5.37 units)
The other Chicago club is known more for its day-heavy schedule, but the Southsiders' motto has always been "When it's right, it's right". The White Sox have turned modest profits during day games this season, but are among the most consistent breadwinners during day games for the past four seasons. Chicago has gone 137-111 in matinees since 2008, bringing in more than 19 units for ChiSox bettors.