Wagering on MLB teams facing Left-Handed Pitchers

Call them what you will, left-handed, lefty’s, port-siders, they disrupt the normal perspective of how a batter views a pitch being thrown at them. Every team in baseball has them, some as starters, likely a reliever or two and for whatever reason, they have a delivery that can give a hitter an uncomfortable 0 for 4. The word “crafty” is often associated with left-handed pitchers, who lack the burning fastball to retire batters and have to use guile and intelligence to get hitters out. You never hear this mentioned about a right-hander pitcher with the same skill set, like they are missing a certain gene their counterparts have been blessed with.

Though these pitchers from the left side are sometimes shrouded in mystery, it’s not like they can’t be beaten. In fact, a number like Jesse Orosco or Dan Plesac received paychecks way passed their prime, simply because they could retire a left-handed batter. Here is a look at the best and worst major league team against LH hurlers.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim may not crush left-handed starters; however they get the best of them. On the year, the Angels are 13-3, totaling +9.6 units of profit. Truthfully, they don’t do anything special, scoring 3.9 runs per game (compared to season average of 4.2). They do hit for higher average at .271 (.256 vs all pitchers), yet somehow the Halos own pitchers throw better, allowing 2.8 RPG. It’s also intriguing to uncover, the Angels are the top Under team facing lefties at 12-3-1.

It would make sense a potent offensive club like the Boston Red Sox might touch home plate a few extra times versus southpaws. With the likes of Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, J.D. Drew and David Ortiz when healthy, they can lay the lumber to any lefty. Thus far in 2008, the Red Sox have been nearly perfect with 10-2 record, winning by better than three runs a game.

The Philadelphia Phillies are a more curious case battling left-handed hurlers. They have a 17-8 record, up +7.4 units, and the Philly lineup in not affected seeing these types of pitchers. What’s interesting is their top two everyday players, as far as batting average is concerned, hit from the left side of the box. Chase Utley and 3B Greg Dobbs bat lefty and though he’s scuffling, Ryan Howard is another big bat that does damage. The Phillies are second in the big leagues scoring runs (6.4) against Corrie Pawed (Scottish term) pitchers.

This is primarily a function of being a bad baseball team, but the Seattle Mariners are sickening 4-12 vs. port-siders, dropping -10 units. Already owning the worst record in the bigs, they haven’t helped themselves at all against lefties, being outscored by 1.7 runs per outing. The Mariners are 27th in runs scored overall and with players like Richie Sexson, Jose Vidro and Adrian Beltre, all in season long slumps, the future is hardly bright no matter who they are facing.

Another punchless bunch is the Toronto Blue Jays. Against left-handed pitchers, the Blue Jays manufacture a baseball worst 3.3 runs per game. The 6-11 record has costed backers in these situations -7.7 units. The Toronto team batting average is fair, ranking seventh in the American League, it’s just they don’t string hits together explaining 12th position in runs scored in the junior circuit.

If by some chance you are headed to England, the northern part in particular, if you drop the term, Cuddy Wifter or Kack Handed, the locals will know exactly what you mean.