MLB Betting: Mound Money-Makers

By Guest
Updated: August 17, 2012

In keeping an eye on the pitchers who are making the most money on the MLB odds boards for their financial backers this season we see that most of the top ten is in action this weekend. Here’s a quick rundown of the leading hurlers on the MLB betting money chart who are throwing over the next few days.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 28: A.J. Burnett #34 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during a MLB baseball game on June 28, 2012 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 5-4. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

The top money-making pitcher of this season, AJ Burnett, goes for his Pirates Thursday in an attempt to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers. Pittsburgh is 17-4 in games Burnett has started this season, and up $1,400, based on theoretical $100 wagers on each game. And that’s even after losing as a -170 favorite last Saturday vs. San Diego.

The No. 4 pitcher on the money chart, Gio Gonzalez, gets the start Sunday for his Nationals at home against the Mets. The Nats are 18-6 in games Gonzalez has started this year, for a profit of $1,090. Gonzo is 1-1 vs. New York this season, with one bad outing and one very good one.

The No. 5 money-maker, Jered Weaver, hits the hill Friday for his Angels vs. the Rays. Los Angeles is 17-4 in Weaver’s starts this season, and up $1,025.

No. 6 on the money list, Johnny Cueto, gets the start Saturday for his first-place Reds against the Cubbies. Cincy is 17-7 in Cueto’s starts this year, which puts them up $970 in those games. And Cueto is 2-0 vs. the Cubs this year, having allowed just one ER over 14 1/3 innings.

No.7 on the money chart, Tommy Hanson, comes off the DL to go for the Braves Friday against the Dodgers. Atlanta is 16-6 and plus $935 in Hanson’s starts this season.

The No. 8 money-making pitcher this season, Ryan Vogelsong, will try to put a really bad outing behind him when he starts Sunday at San Diego. The Giants are 15-7 and up $890 in Vogelsong’s start this season. In his only start this year vs. the Padres Vogelsong held them to one ER on four hits through seven innings. But his last time out, Monday vs. Washington, Vogelsong got bombed for eight runs in less than three innings.

A surprising entry at No. 9 on the list, Jason Vargas starts Saturday for the Mariners against the visiting Twins. Seattle is 14-11 in Vargas’ starts this year, which gives them a profit of $785, because they’ve won with him several times as large underdogs. His last time out he held the Angels to one run in eight-plus innings, leading the M’s to a victory as +240 dogs on the MLB betting line. In his one start this year vs. Minnesota Vargas allowed just one run on four hits through 6 1/3 innings.

And another surprise entry, Wei-Yin Chen, goes for his Orioles Sunday at home against the Tigers. Baltimore is 15-9 in Chen’s starts this year, and plus $740 on the money chart. And in his only start this year vs. Detroit Chen gave up just one run and two hits in six innings of an 8-6 Orioles victory.