Series Opener/Closer Odds

MLB Series Opener And Closer Betting Trends: Mets Close Strong

Series opener and closer betting trends are often forgotten in the larger MLB betting trends world, but there are some interesting notes to pry.

For whatever reason, some teams are just way better or worse in the opening (first) games of series, and the same is true for the closing final games.

Before checking out our free MLB computer picks to inform your daily baseball picks, check out these opening and closing MLB series trends:

Team Records When Opening A Series

Best Teams When Opening A Series
  • Dodgers 30-16 (65.2%)
  • Reds 28-17 (62.2%)
  • Phillies 28-17 (62.2%)
Worst Teams When Opening A Series
  • White Sox 7-38 (15.6%)
  • Marlins 13-32 (28.9%)
  • Rays 17-28 (37.8%)

It's not surprising to see teams like the Phillies and Dodgers opening series' well (they're arguably the two best teams in baseball). But, the Reds are certainly a shock.

Cincinnati is currently 68-73 (48% win rate) on he season and fourth in a weak NL Central, but somehow they're the most profitable team in MLB to start series.

On the flip side, the Rays are the bad standout here. Tampa's series-opener win rate is 11.5% worse than their overall mark. If Tampa was even .500 in series-opening games they might be a playoff team.

Team Records When Closing A Series

Best Teams When Closing A Series
  • Diamondbacks 28-17 (62.2%)
  • Mets 27-18 (60.0%)
  • Cubs 27-18 (60.0%)
Worst Teams When Closing A Series
  • White Sox 9-36 (20.0%)
  • Rockies 14-31 (31.1%)
  • Athletics 16-29 (35.6%)

The Mets and Diamondbacks are both interesting squads to close out series. Both Arizona and New York are playing 10% above their standard win rates in the final games of series.

There's something about those final games that seems to get Mets start SS Francisco Lindor going. In his last five series-closing games, the Mets shortstop has three homers and seven total hits. He's been great in those situations all year.

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