Three teams are tied for the best record in the American League, and two of them are surprises. Who'd thunk that the Orioles and Rays would be tied with the Rangers at 19-10. Baltimore is definitely a surprise, but can they contend throuhout the season?

Nick MarkakisThe New York Yankees are in fourth place in the American League East, trailing the Orioles and Rays by 3 ½ games. The Red Sox have run off more winning and losing streaks than any team in baseball. They have had several four game winning and losing streaks this season, and that inconsistency has led them to the basement of the AL East with a 12-16 record on the season. 

The Central sees another surprise with the Cleveland Indians on top with a 17-11 record and enjoying a three game lead over second place Detroit. Cleveland is the only team in the division with a plus four run scoring differential. The remaining five teams all have been outscored by their opposition. This is truly the weakest division in baseball and one that Cleveland can take over given their quality of play. 

The West has perhaps the only preseason favorite on top of the standings with the Rangers posting a 19-10 mark and enjoying a four game lead over the surging Oakland A’s. The Angels were also a preseason favorite given their huge free agency acquisitions of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, but are mired with a 13-17 record. 

Money Record in American League 

 

Team

Record

Win Percentage

Money Net Profit

Home

Record

Home Net Profit

Road

Record

Road Net Profit

OVER/ UNDER

1

Baltimore

19-10

0.655

1342

8-5

312

11-5

1030

13-15

2

Tampa Bay

19-10

0.655

860

13-3

837

6-7

23

13-14

3

Cleveland

17-11

0.607

720

8-8

14

9-3

706

13-15

4

Texas

19-10

0.655

493

8-5

36

11-5

457

10-17

5

Oakland

15-14

0.517

475

6-7

-165

9-7

640

10-18

6

Toronto

16-13

0.552

81

8-7

-126

8-6

207

15-13

7

Seattle

14-17

0.452

-28

6-7

-207

8-10

179

14-17

8

NY Yankees

15-13

0.536

-256

7-6

-276

8-7

20

12-15

9

Chi. White Sox

13-17

0.433

-426

5-9

-491

8-8

65

13-16

10

Detroit

14-14

0.500

-514

9-9

-483

5-5

-31

11-16

11

Kansas City

9-19

0.321

-652

2-13

-1114

7-6

462

13-14

12

Boston

12-16

0.429

-721

4-10

-875

8-6

154

18-9

13

LA Angels

13-17

0.433

-1063

9-8

-412

4-9

-651

10-20

14

Minnesota

7-21

0.250

-1078

3-9

-522

4-12

-556

15-13 

 

Tampa Bay has been the best home money maker with 837 units made per 100 unit wagered while Kansas City with a 2-13 home record have been the biggest home money burners, losing 1114 units per 100 units wagered. Baltimore has truly rewarded their fans and backers with an outstanding 11-5 road record and have made a whopping 1030 units per one unit wagered. 

Interesting, too, that the American League has been dominated by the road team. Only three teams in the American League have lost money installed on the road with Minnesota posting a 4-12 record and losing 556 units and the Angels posting a 4-9 record and losing 651 units per one hundred units wagered. 

Only four American League teams have made baseball bettors money in home games. Baltimore has posted an 8-5 record making 312 units per 100 units wagered. Tampa Bay, as reported above, Cleveland posting a 17-11 mark and making 14 units per 100 units wagered, and Texas posting an 8-5 mark making just 36 units per 100 unit wagered.

Don't forget to check out my MLB Betting Guide: When to Jump on the Dogs