The Detroit Tigers are in last place in the American League Central at 16-22. They’ve dropped 10.58 units of cold, hard cash; only the Mariners and Padres have treated their supporters more unfavorably. But this short-term loss could add value to Detroit’s World Series odds.

At press time, the Tigers were 9-1 to win the Fall Classic, behind four other teams and tied with the Los Angeles Angels. There’s still more than enough hope to go around in Detroit after the offseason acquisitions of Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria and Dontrelle Willis, among others.

If only the Tigers could figure out what’s wrong with their pitching staff. It ranks last of the 30 teams in ERA at 5.09, and the bullpen itself is 26th at 4.44 ERA after blowing five saves in 10 opportunities. Damning numbers, although Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press seems more concerned about clubhouse chemistry. Undervalued pitching is what makes the MLB betting world go ‘round.