The best bets from the first quarter of the MLB season
ByBen Burns
We’ve reached the quarter point of the MLB season. Let’s take a look at the biggest moneymakers and see which ones might come back to earth and which ones will keep producing the rest of the way.
Tampa Bay Rays: The most profitable team so far, the Rays’ 30-11 start had them up an MLB-high plus-$1,374 heading into Saturday. They’ve made all their money on the road with 17 wins in their first 21 games away from their dreadful dome of a home. Inside Tropicana Field, the Rays were just even money in their first 20 games.
They’ve scraped together the second most runs in the league, 225 (through Friday), yet are in the middle of the pack in home runs with 37. Unless the power increases, it’s hard to believe the Rays will be able to remain at the top in runs.
The Rays’ pitching has been dynamite, but how many of you are convinced that David Price, Matt Garza, Jeff Niemann and James Shields are all headed for Cy Young-calibers seasons?
Tampa has been great, too great. They’ll be facing some inflated prices for at least the next month. We’ll check back on them at the All-Star Break to see if they’re still up more than $1,300.
Toronto Blue Jays: The Amazing Jays are the only other team to post a four-figure profit through 40 games. They’ve racked up $1,085 with the long ball. The Jays’ 66 home runs lead the majors. No other team has even 60 heading into the weekend.
They’ve got defensive issues, though, and an average team ERA (4.17). Few people expect the Jays to finish above .500 over the long haul, but those low expectations should keep the price fair. Teams with a ton of power are always dangerous.
Ubaldo Jimenez: Colorado’s emerging ace’s 8-1 start included a no-hitter against the Braves, a ridiculous 0.99 ERA and a profit of $672. Jimenez was only -140 at Houston on May 20, which seems awfully low. He promptly threw seven scoreless innings allowing just one hit the lowly Astros.
You won’t be getting that kind of price on Jimenez very often. It’s hard not to be wowed by his stuff, and he’s poised to put up Cy Young numbers this year. The question is will you be willing to pay -200-plus for a pitcher that has only one winning season in his career.
Umpire Mark Wegner: Seven of his eight appearances behind the plate eclipsed the total, with teams combining for 10.4 runs. His tight strike zone is the reason and has produced a low 4/3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Arizona over: The Diamondbacks own a 5.66 team ERA, worst in the big leagues. Combine that with an offense that leads the National League in runs, and you get an over-producing machine. Twenty-seven of their 40 games went over the total.