Every level of baseball has the same keys to consistent winners: Pitching and Defense. So far the 2009 MLB season several surprise teams have been producing consistent winners and dominant pitching performances. Most people believed the big market teams would dominate with very solid pitching staffs. But so far this season the big market teams have struggled. Lets look at the top 5 pitching staffs by ERA and what kind of betting profits they have produced!

1. Kansas City Royals (3.49 ERA): The biggest surprise thus far has been the domination of the pitching staff of the Royals. The best pitcher in all of baseball without a doubt has been Grienke who is 6-1 with a 0.50 ERA. Bettors have celebrated this year with Kansas City already putting up big profits at +586 thus far. If the Royals continue this dominating pitching you can be sure that some of the early season betting value will be gone. But take advantage of the betting value before the oddsmakers make the adjustment.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (3.72 ERA): The only big market MLB team to be in the top 5 in Pitching Staff ERA's. Many experts thought the pitching would let down the great hitting Dodgers but thus far it has been the other way around. Ace of the staff has been Billingsley who has produced 5 wins and under a 2.50 ERA thus far. Sports bettors have been all over the Dodgers early in this season making them the favorite in all but 7 of the 32 games they played. The Dodgers have thanked the bettors by producing the 2nd biggest Money Line profits thus far +899!! The loss of Manny Ramariez might help the Dodgers Money Line prices come down and give there future backers even more betting value. Best Power Pitching staff in baseball will keep this staff near the top.

3. Oakland Athletics (3.89 ERA):The only team of the top 5 pitching staff with a losing record. Negative profits for a team with such good pitching has been a direct result of very poor hitting. Third worst batting average in baseball at less than .250 as a team. Good news for bettors is this team has huge betting value and with great pitching will be around in most games. This team will be the money line underdog in most games and can produce huge underdog money line profits in the near future. But facts are right now they have produced a losing money line value at -696 which is 3rd worse in MLB!!

4. Detroit Tigers (3.87 ERA): This team has been relatively disappointing as a whole but the pitching staff has been the star so far this season. Verlander has been dominating at times but has actually been the weakest of the starters when it comes to ERA. Money line profits have been solid for this team thus far at +367. The good news for Detroit Money Line backers is that there bats are heating up and if the pitching can maintain the profits will too.

5. Cincinnati Reds (3.93 ERA): Only one bad outing by Bronson Arroyo keeps the Reds out of the top spot in ERA's in the early season. Bronson gave up 9 runs in his last start in just one inning. Other than that performance this staff has been dominating. The dark horse pick by most handicappers have proven why everyone loved them. Harrang, Cueto, and Volcquez all can shut out the best hitting teams. Young hitters have been inconsistent costing the Reds several key early season wins but lately they have been hot taking 2 of 3 from front runner St Louis and a sweep in Chicago of the Cubs. Money line profits so far are +481 and a few key hits could have been over 1k. Value will be found with the Reds all year since there division is the toughest in the National League. If this pitching staff stays healthy no doubt the money line will be very profitable for the money line believers.

If defense and pitching wins MLB games and championships then the baseball world better be ready for a new World Series Champion this year. Don't forget batting comes and goes but defense and pitching usually are much more reliable and thus will produce profits in the long run.

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