MLB Top 5: Underrated pitching staffs

Chicks dig the long ball but if you want to win in the majors, you better have some big league arms. 

Six of the top eleven teams in team ERA qualified for the postseason last year. Starting pitching is the most important factor oddsmakers take into consideration when setting lines and that’s why an underrated pitching staff can be your best friend at the betting window. 

The Philadelphia Phillies are swallowing up all the hurler hype this spring because of their All-Star rotation but there are a number of ball clubs with pitching staffs worth backing this season.

Here’s a look at our fine five:

Oakland Athletics

Look, most people know the A’s have some quality pitchers but Oakland makes this list because we think most people don’t know just how good its stable is this season.

The A’s were a .500 club last season but finished with the lowest team ERA in the American League thanks partly to their home park, which just happens to be a pitcher’s dream. But don’t underestimate Oakland’s rotation. The squad’s top four starters are all back and poised for another strong season. 

Trevor Cahill drew some Cy Young attention in 2010 after winning 18 games and finishing fourth in ERA and WHIP (walks + hits per inning) in the AL. Fellow second year pitcher Brett Anderson was limited by elbow problems but still posted solid numbers a year ago while Gio Gonzalez led the team with 200.1 innings pitched and many feel he’s the most talented pitcher on staff. 

Oakland’s bullpen is led by closer Andrew Bailey but veteran reliever Brian Fuentes will start the season as the closer if Bailey’s forearm strain keeps him out. Craig Breslow limited opponents to a team best .194 batting average against last season and adds to a deep bullpen along with Michael Wuertz, Brad Zeigler and Grant Belfour.

Los Angeles Angels

The Halos hit a snag last season but their pitching staff is the envy of most teams in the majors.

Staff ace Jered Weaver led the major leagues with 233 strikeouts and was third in the American League with a 1.07 WHIP. Ervin Santana is fully healthy after elbow surgery in late 2008 and will look to best last year’s team-leading 17 wins. Mid-season acquisition Dan Haren is a dependable starter who leads the majors with 203 starts the last five years. 

The Angels bullpen has some question marks but has good potential. Fernando Rodney underachieved as the Angels closer last year (14 saves, 4.24 ERA) but he still owns a 96-mile-per-hour fastball and an excellent changeup. If Rodney struggles again look for Kevin Jepsen (61 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched) or Jordan Walden (23 strikeouts in 15.1 innings) as closer candidates. The Angels also signed two talented left handed free agents in Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi.
 
Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are another club with a ton of talented young pitchers who are boosted by a spacious home park. Clayton Kershaw’s stuff is overpowering and opposing batters, who hit just .214 off him, can confirm. Hiroki Kuroda isn’t flashy but dependable while Chad Billingsley seems to have rebounded from a rocky 2009 campaign. Veteran lefty Ted Lilly and Jon Garland round out the rotation. 

All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton had a bad second half of the year but the Dodgers didn’t miss a beat when Hong-Chih Kuo stepped into the nine-inning role. Converted catcher Kenley Jansen had a 0.67 ERA in 27 innings last year and rubber arm Matt Guerrier will be a useful addition. 

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers were 81-81 last year but if their pitching can keep pace with what should be a potent lineup then they will challenge for the division crown. 

Justin Verlander is a proven ace and will lead the staff again after winning 18 games last year and finishing sixth in the majors with 219 strikeouts. Max Scherzer is a former first round pick who had a nifty 2.20 ERA in the second half of last season. Rick Porcello regressed in his second season but still won 10 games and the 22-year-old should improve with experience. 

Phil Coke is a converted reliever who showed promise while veteran free agent Brad Penny can be very effective if he’s healthy (108-88 career record). 

Last year the Tigers imported Houston’s Jose Valverde as their new closer and he posted 26 saves and a .184 batting average against. Free agent Joqauin Benoit brings a 1.34 ERA to the setup role, so anything Detroit gets from Joel Zumaya, who’ll start the season on the disabled list, will just be gravy. 

Arizona Diamondbacks
 

Arizona was terrible last year (65-97) but its kiddie pitching staff could surprise some people this year.

Ian Kennedy will start Opening Day aftering over from the Yankees last year and posting the eighth lowest batting average against (.228) in the NL. Lefty Joe Saunders was acquired in the Dan Haren trade andes off a career worst season but still has a respectable 57-39 career record. And Daniel Hudson, who arrived from the White Sox in a trade for Edwin Jackson, might be the brightest star in the rotation after posting some sick numbers in a half season with Arizona. 

J.J. Putz had a nice bounce back year in 2010 and was signed as a free agent to be the closer. Putz has been bothered by a bad back and former closer Juan Gutierrez (15 saves) may get the job again. David Hernandez was acquired in a trade with Baltimore and also has closing experience. 

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