When looking at the wide array of variables within MLB betting, one overlooked variable is the starting pitcher. Annually handicapper’s baseball betting online struggle to break even by year’s end, because they forgot to examine which starting pitcher was in each game. As a result, bettors end up with an overall betting percentage of below 50 percent. If they had just taken an extra hour a day to go over each pitcher’s statistics they may have a better winning percentage by year’s end.

For every position in the MLB there are over 10 statistics associated with that position. Starting pitchers are no different, as when you track them you have to take into account win/ loss record, earned run average, WHIP, and innings pitched to name a few. Today we look at the one statistic that is always ignored but actually affects you the bettor, team’s record in games started. In essence, this statistic gives starting pitchers the win or the loss regardless if they are a factor in the final result of the game. For example if Shaun Marcum of the Toronto Blue Jays starts a game and leaves with an eight to three lead, and then the bullpen blows the lead and the Jays lose 10 to eight, Marcum gets credited with the loss instead of the no decision.

The TRGS statistic is a better indicator of a team’s success as many a time you will see a starter’s win loss record be similar to that of the TRGS. For instance, commonly you will see a healthy pitcher accumulate a win – loss record of 15 wins 10 losses but a TRGS record of 19 wins and 13 losses. Meaning to say in games in which he got the no decision, his team won 19 and lost 13.