First of all, don’t just assume that because teams have a terrific under record at this point of the season that it’s because the pitching has been great. It could be that oddsmakers keep overvaluing a team’s offense or its home park as being hitter-friendly. Here are the three teams that have been cashing under the most to this point of the season and perhaps why. Plus, check out more of the latest MLB total run lines for upcoming games.
MLB Total Runs: Best Under Teams So Far in 2017
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Cleveland Indians (Current MLB Total Runs 27-38-3 O/U)
For starters, the Tribe lead the majors with an under percentage of 58.5 percent, which is largely because their offensive has struggled. Or should I say was struggling. Entering Tuesday, the Indians were on a six-game winning streak and their offense has woken up. Also, Cleveland had outscored opponents 52-13 (+39) during the club’s six-game winning streak, plating 6+ runs in 5 of 6 games. The offense has has batted .342 (78-228) with 19 doubles, 14 homers and a .333 (23-69) avg. w/RISP.How Well Have the Indians Pitched So Far?
In regards to this, the Indians pitching staff has registered a 2.00 ERA (54.0IP, 33H, 13R-12ER, 15BB, 54SO) and .175 avg. against (rotation is 4-0 w/ 2.55 ERA.). I’m not sure how to read this yet because that offense is starting to roll, but so is the pitching staff, which could help keep games under. Cleveland leads all Major League teams with 8 shutouts in 2017 (Seattle & St. Louis rank 2nd with 6 each) and seven of the club’s 8 shutouts have come in road games. The Indians posted 11 shutouts in 2016, 2nd-most in the A.L. behind the Angels’ 12. To sum it up, the Indians have been well in the MLB total runs keeping it in the under.Colorado Rockies (Current MLB Total Runs 30-37-5 O/U)
Now this one I understand. The Rockies always have the highest totals on the board at home games, and while their offense has been great as usual, the pitching has been much better than expected. So a lot of those 11-run totals at Coors Field aren’t being hit. Plus the Rockies’ offense has always been a bit worse on the road. Bu then again, they’ve done well keeping the under in the MLB Total Run lines. Plus, Colorado is 25-13 away from Denver, though, and have the most road wins in the Majors. The Rockies have only had one winning record away from Denver in a season, going 41-40 in 2009.What Have the Rockies Done to Make This Work?
The team’s rookie combination of Kyle Freeland, Jeff Hoffman, German Márquez and Antonio Senzatela are 26-9 with a 3.65 ERA (249.1 IP, 101 ER) over 43 starts, including 23 quality starts. That was totally unexpected. Colorado also is set to get back its projected ace soon in Jon Gray. Gray (foot) threw 74 pitches in Monday’s rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque, giving up five runs (one earned) while striking out seven in 4.1 innings pitched. He’s expected to make one more rehab start before returning to the Rockies’ rotation.Los Angeles Angels (Current MLB Total Runs 31-38-4 O/U)
At first, the Angels looked like they would struggle to pitch entering this season but hit the ball. It has been largely the opposite – hence all the unders. The Halos rank fourth in the majors in ERA but 22nd in runs. Part of that is star outfielder Mike Trout having missed several weeks, therefore has kept them in the under in the MLB Total Runs lines. Trout, the defending American League MVP, had surgery on his torn left thumb ligaments on May 31, after suffering an injury making a head-first slide. Trout’s initial timetable for return was six to eight weeks, but he said this week that he’s hoping to return earlier — and to play in the All-Star Game.Who’s Been the Pitching Surprise in the Angels?
On the subject of pitching, one huge pitching surprise has been closer Bud Norris, but now he’s on the DL. Thrust into the closer’s role because of several Angels injuries, Norris has excelled. He has a 2.43 ERA and 11 saves this year after not posting a single save in the first eight years of his career. Cam Bedrosian, Andrew Bailey and Huston Street all went down to open the door for Norris, but Bedrosian came off the DL on Saturday. Currently, the L.A. bullpen leads A.L. (2nd in MLB) in inherited runners scoring pct. (21.2%). LAA relievers have stranded 89 of 113 runners. Angels relievers have appeared in 71 of 73 games to lead A.L. (245 IP – 3rd in A.L.).
Latest MLB Betting Trends
Cleveland Indians
- The Indians are 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
- The Team is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- The Indians are 5-1 SU in the last 6 games on the road
Colorado Rockies
- Colorado is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games
- Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Colorado is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
- Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Los Angeles Angels
- Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Arizona is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
- Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Arizona is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Upcoming MLB Schedule
Cleveland Indians
- Wednesday, June 21st @ Baltimore Orioles. 7:05pm ET
- Thursday, June 22nd @ Baltimore Orioles. 7:05pm ET
- Friday, June 23rd vs. Minnesota Twins. 7:10pm ET
- Saturday, June 24th vs. Minnesota Twins. 4:10pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th vs. Minnesota. 1:10pm ET
Colorado Rockies
- Wednesday, June 21st vs. Arizona Diamondbacks. 8:40pm ET
- Thursday, June 22nd vs. Arizona Diamondbacks. 3:10pm ET
- Friday, June 23rd @ Los Angeles Dodgers. 10:10pm ET
- Saturday, June 24th @ Los Angeles Dodgers. 10:10pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th @ Los Angeles Dodgers. 4:10pm ET
Los Angeles Angels
- Wednesday, June 21st vs. Arizona Diamondbacks. 8:40pm ET
- Thursday, June 22nd vs. Arizona Diamondbacks. 3:10pm ET
- Friday, June 23rd @ Los Angeles Dodgers. 10:10pm ET
- Saturday, June 24th @ Los Angeles Dodgers. 10:10pm ET
- Sunday, June 25th @ Los Angeles Dodgers. 4:10pm ET
