In this article, we’ll take a look back on the 2017 MLB regular season and identify the five best under teams in terms of betting on game totals. Intuitively, one would expect that the worst offensive teams would be the most prone to having their games fall on the under. However, as usual, the sports betting odds makers are experts for a reason. They are well-aware of this information and as a result, will adjust the game totals for weaker offensive teams in order to reflect the most likely outcome – that the number of runs scored in the games will be lower than average as well. Here’s a look at the five best under teams during the regular season.
Cleveland Indians
Over-Under Record: 61-91-10
For the team with the best record in the American League and second-best record overall, you wouldn’t expect the Cleveland Indians to be the best under team during the 2017 regular season. The Indians posted a 91-61-10 record on game totals falling on the under, resulting in a .599 winning percentage. In terms of average runs scored per game, the Indians were pretty good, scoring 5.01 runs per game. However, the more likely reason why so many of the Indians’ games resulted in the under was due to their stellar starting rotation and bullpen, limiting their opposing teams to just a few runs – especially during their insane winning streak.
The Indians finished the year with the best ERA in all of baseball (3.30). Opponents batted just .236 against them while they ended up giving up the fewest runs and the fewest walks, while striking out more batters than any other team in the Majors.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Over-Under Record: 63-92-7
The 2017 Pittsburgh Pirates simply weren’t a very good baseball team, but they were good at having their game totals fall on the under, finishing with a 92-63-7 record for a .594 winning percentage. The likely explanation for this was due to the Pirates woeful offensive output. The Pirates finished as the third-worst team in the league in terms of average runs scored per game, posting only a measly 4.12 runs per game.
Colorado Rockies
Over-Under Record: 64-91-7
You’d think that having half of the Colorado Rockies’ games in Coors Field would result in an abundance of games resulting on the over side. However, this was quite the opposite during the 2017 regular season, as the Rockies’ home games would have consisted of quite a large number for the game total. The Rockies finished with a 91-64-7 record on games going under, resulting in a .587 winning percentage. As always, in terms of average runs scored per game, simply having half of their games played in Coors Field certainly helps a great deal, as the Rockies finished as the third-best team in the league in this category, scoring on average of 5.10 runs per game.
Milwaukee Brewers
Over-Under Record: 68-87-7
The Milwaukee Brewers posted an 87-68-7 record on games falling under the totals, corresponding to a .561 winning percentage. The Brewers were atop the National League Central division for quite some time during the first half of the regular season. However, the Brewers were below average in terms of average runs scored per game during the regular season, only scoring 4.52 runs per game.
The Brewers pitching staff finished the year with a 4.00 ERA, which ranked them ninth in big leagues. Only four other teams in the national league had posted a better number.
Los Angeles Angels
Over-Under Record: 69-82-11
The Los Angeles Angels had yet another disappointing season, even though they possess the best player in the league in Mike Trout. The Angels posted an 82-69-11 record on the under, resulting in a .543 winning percentage. In terms of average runs scored per game, the Angels were also below average, scoring just 4.38 runs per game.
In terms of their pitching staff, the Angeles finished the 2017 baseball season 12th in terms of ERA (4.20). They held opposing batters to a .251 batting average. One area where they particularly excelled was walks as they gave up just 470 on the season. Only three other teams in all of baseball gave up less.
The 2017 MLB season has come to a conclusion as the Houston Astros were crowned champions. The 2018 World Series futures are already posted, so if you’re looking at betting lines, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
