Top five costliest starters for bettors in 2009
By CHRIS BERNUCCA
There have been two types of pitchers that empty the pockets of bettors this season.
There are those who occasionally win or pitch just well enough to remain in the rotation. And there are those who have pitched so poorly they have been bumped from the rotation - of the Washington Nationals.
The former group tends to work at high prices they haven't justified. Among those are a former 1-2 punch and a guy who had one of the best performances of the season (addressed below).
Among the five biggest money-draining pitchers are Daniel Cabrera, who was designated for assignment in late May, and rookie Ross Detwiler, who was sent to the minor leagues earlier this month. Both pitched for the hapless Nationals.
Washington lost all eight starts made by Cabrera, who worked as a favorite just once and still cost backers $802 based on $100-per game bets. Detwiler was slightly better as the Nationals went 1-9 in his 10 starts (one as a favorite) that cost bettors $804.
The good news is that Cabrera and Detwiler currently can't cost a bettor any more money, although Detwiler will be recalled at some point this season.
The bad news is that there are plenty of other pitchers emptying wallets at an alarming rate. Here's a look at the worst:
Jonathan Sanchez (San Francisco Giants)
The Giants are just 4-12 in starts made by Sanchez, who threw a no-hitter against San Diego on July 10 but also was removed from the rotation after four straight losses in June.
The righthander is hapless on the road, going 0-8 with a 6.33 ERA in nine winless starts. Despite pitching just twice as a favorite, he has cost $746 to back this season.
CC Sabathia (New York Yankees)
The Yankees will pay $161 million over seven years for putting their trust in Sabathia. Bettors have paid $782 over four months for the lefthander, who has made eight starts as a favorite of -200 or more.
On the surface, Sabathia's numbers (142 IP, 10-6, 3.67 ERA) appear solid. But the Yankees are just 11-10 in his starts, including a loss to Seattle on July 2 at a ridiculous -315. Those add up in a hurry.
Doug Davis (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Davis is a mid-rotation guy who has averaged nearly 12 wins and 206 innings over the last four years. The lefthander's 3.62 ERA indicates he has been better than his 5-10 record.
However, bettors care about money, and they are down $960 in the 21 games started by Davis. He is coming off six scoreless innings as a favorite, so he is not going anywhere.
Manny Parra (Milwaukee Brewers)
There's nothing misleading about Parra; he has pitched poorly - enduring a trip to the minor in June - and it shows in what he has cost bettors. The lefthander is 4-8 with a 6.42 ERA, and the bettors are $965 in the hole for his 16 starts.
Parra gave players a temporary reprieve by spending nearly a month in the minors. Since his return, Milwaukee is 1-2 in his three starts, all as an underdog.
Cliff Lee (Cleveland Indians)
Just over a year ago, Lee and Sabathia anchored Cleveland's rotation. But Sabathia was traded and Lee has lost the form that made him the American League Cy Young Award winner.
Lee has gone from first to worst in starter money. Last year, the Indians were 24-7 for $1,452 when the lefthander took the mound. This year, they are 8-14 at a cost of $969.
Lee is still gobbling up innings (152) and his 3.14 ERA does not mirror his 7-9 record. But he works almost exclusively as a favorite, and wins in his last three starts will keep his price high.