National League West Betting Report

By Doug Upstone

The NL West was supposed to be a two-team race, with Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Dodgers have held up their end of the bargain, but managerial changes have ignited both Colorado and Arizona and this division has the look of sending three teams to the National League playoffs.

For those betting baseball, it looks like there is ample profits to be made on all five squads, just by wagering on them properly.

Los Angeles – Surging Dodgers Just Need Healthy Starting Pitchers

After a sluggish start, Los Angeles has been playing steady, consistent baseball. There strengths can be measured in many facets like posting 25-10 record at Dodger Stadium and thoroughly imposing 23-8 mark in games decided by four or more runs. Their bullpen is one of the best in baseball and offensively they average nearly 5 runs per game playing half the time at Chazez Ravine. As long as they do not suffer any lengthy injuries to their starting pitchers, when you can bet L.A. at -160 or less, worth a look.

Colorado – Will Rockies Rookie Pitchers Hold Up After All-Star Break?

It was obvious last year, Colorado was finally figuring out what to do. The hiring of Bud Black was pure genius, given the pipeline of young pitchers the Rockies had, having a manager/pitching coach of his talents was a blessing. All the youngsters have picked up the slack for ace Jon Gray, whose been out two months with toe fracture. As expected, the Rocks offense rolls and the bullpen other than a few really awful outings has done the job. Despite being baseball’s best bet, how Black manages innings and starts will tell the tale for Colorado with its young hurlers.

Arizona – Bullpen, Team Confidence Has Propelled Diamondbacks

In the spring, when talking to other baseball writers or sharp bettors scouting the Cactus League, everyone agreed the starting pitching could be good, the offense if healthy would ring up runs, but nobody liked Arizona’s bullpen makeup. At last look, the Snakes pen was 3rd in ERA in the National League and just behind Colorado for the finest save percentage. Credit the steady hand of skipper Torey Louvillo for trusting his players to perform and finding the answers when the starters have completed their work. After a dismal season at home in 2016, the D-Backs are sensational 26-9 at Chase Field.

San Diego – Bad Team, Whose at Least Taken Advantage of Slumping Opponents

Coming into 2017, San Diego was the least talented team in the majors and honestly that is still true today. Though the Padres are certainly not a ‘play on’ club, to their credit, mostly at home, they have faced opponents that happen to be scuffling when facing San Diego and they have managed to win series that most would not have thought possible thus far. Ultimately, their weaknesses will manifest themselves and having a 9-22 mark in games determined by four or more runs will show their skill level.

San Francisco – Complete Collapse

Let’s be truthful, nobody saw this coming. The Giants are the biggest disappointment in the sport. No question losing Madison Bumgarner was a huge blow, but it seemed fitting the way the season started. The other starters have not stepped up and the offense is deplorable and completely without power, ranked last in homers. Buster Posey is having fantastic year at the dish batting close to .350, yet with nobody on base ahead of him, he has measly 23 RBI’s. Realistically, just a play against team unless the offense somehow awakes.