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By SBRForum
We like to keep an eye on the MLB betting money charts just to see which teams and which starting pitchers have been bringing in the bacon for their financial backers. So here’s a quick look at the top money-making pitchers going this weekend, and some guesses as to how they might fare on the MLB odds boards.
The Knuckleballer
The No. 2 money-maker on the list, RA Dickey of the Mets, starts Friday in San Diego vs. Clayton Richard.
Dickey continues to make his case at becoming the first knuckleballer to win a Cy Young Award. He leads the National League in wins with 14, ranks second in strikeouts with 147 and owns a 2.83 ERA. And as New York has gone 16-5 in Dickey’s starts this season, they’ve made a profit of $1,310, based on those theoretical $100 wagers.
Dickey also got a win in his only start this year vs. the Padres, in which he held them scoreless on three hits through 7 1/3 innings, walked one and struck out 10.
There’s little reason to believe Dickey won’t put on a similar performance Friday.
The Veteran
The No. 6 man on the money chart, Atlanta’s Tim Hudson, goes Friday at home vs. Armando Galarraga and the Astros.
Hudson has won four decisions in a row, and the Braves have won his last five starts. So on the season Atlanta is 13-4 in Hudson’s starts and plus $930 on the money chart.
With the Braves fighting for a playoff spot, and Houston fighting to avoiding ending up with the worst record in baseball, Atlanta is likely to be a very large favorite Friday. Play at your own risk.
Ryan Vogelsong (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Unsung Vogelsong
Ryan Vogelsong, No. 10 on the money chart, starts Friday for San Francisco at Colorado vs. former Giants teammate Jonathan Sanchez.
Other San Francisco starters get more ink, but Vogelsong has quietly done quite well for both his team and his financial backers. So far this year the Giants are 13-6 in Vogelsong’s starts, and up $795.
He’s also working on a string of 11 straight quality starts.
We expect him to make it 12 Friday, hopefully at a reasonable price.
The Puzzler
Finally, the No. 9 starter on the money chart, Jeff Francis, starts Saturday for the Rockies against Madison Bumgarner and the Giants.
Francis’ spot on the chart is a puzzler, because he hasn’t done much himself to earn his lofty ranking. He didn’t join the team until June, is just two-for-11 on quality starts, has pitched into the sixth inning just three times, owns a 5.43 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP and has given up 12 ER in his last 15 IP. But somehow Colorado has won eight of his 11 starts, including as underdogs of +140, +165, +170, +150 and +185. Add it up and the Rockies are plus $810 in games Francis has started.
We do not expect his luck to continue Saturday.
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