The best MLB teams to bet when facing lefty starters
By BARRY DANIELS
Southpaw starting pitchers have never really looked forward to taking the mound at Fenway Park with the Green Monster’s 310-foot left-field wall breathing down their backs.
This season is no different. The Red Sox are an American League-best 21-12 against lefties.
The Fenway Park dimensions are well known to baseball handicappers, but there are several other big league teams that are having success this season against lefties. It may not be too surprising that five of baseball’s top seven records against southpaw starters belong to division leaders.
The defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies top the list with a 21-11 record against port-side hurlers. What is a bit surprising about this statistic though, is the fact that most of the Phillies’ power comes from the left side.
Raul Ibanez leads the club with 24 homers, while fellow lefties Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have swatted 23 and 20 round-trippers respectfully. Jayson Werth, with 20 homers, is the lone right-handed hitter in the lineup who has big-time power.
The AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers are 18-11 against lefties - a huge number when you consider that Jim Leyland’s troops are just 30-31 against right-handers.
Curtis Granderson is the lone Detroit batter with consistent power from the left side (19 homers). Right-handers Brandon Inge (21 homers) and Miguel Cabrera (18 homers) supply most of the club’s offensive punch.
Florida is in a similar boat to the Tigers. The Marlins are 21-14 against southpaws and 25-33 against righties.
The Los Angeles Dodgers own baseball’s best record at 58-35, so a good record against all pitchers is expected. Not only are the NL West-leaders 18-11 when facing southpaws, they are a league-best 40-23 versus right-handed starters.
The New York Yankees and the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels have identical 18-10 records against southpaws.
The Yankees benefit from a short left-field porch that is just 320 feet from home plate. In addition, much of their power derives from righty Alex Rodriquez (19 homers) and switch-hitters Mark Teixeira (23 homers), Nick Swisher (14 homers), Robinson Cano (13 homers) and Jorge Posada (11 homers).
The Washington Nationals, proud owners of baseball’s poorest record at 26-65, are a league-worst 7-17 when southpaws get the start. The Kansas City Royals are close behind at 7-17, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are 9-16.