A good southpaw is always a boost to a team’s baseball betting odds, but they’re few and far between. However, when they’re good, they’re real, real good. Here’s the best of who would shop at Ned Flanders’ Leftorium store…..if they lived in Springfield….and if Springfield was real.

Johan Santana, New York Mets

“Johan the Great” is still one of the best pitchers in the game, and like Ned Flanders, he looks up to a man called Jesus, except this was his father, who played in the Dominican Republic. After a slow start to his career, Santana went on to snatch a pair of Cy Young awards with Minnesota before moving to the Big Apple, when he led the majors in ERA. He’s probably the only pitcher I would have on my squad other than Toronto’s Roy Halladay, and offshore sportsbook odds should have him near the top of the Cy Young list once again.

C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees

Another AL Cy Young winner who left for the National League, Sabathia almost stole the MVP and Cy Young awards in just over a half-year’s time by dragging Milwaukee to the playoffs. He then went on to sign a gigantic contract for the Yankees (who else), who were then made the top team by almost everyone who makes baseball picks. Sabathia started slowly, but he’s working himself into a groove, and on his day, no one can touch him.

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

Yes, he’s slumping a bit by his standards, but after his postseason performance from 2008, you have to include him in this list. Hamels was a beast, going 4-0 in five starts with a 1.80 ERA, winning the NLCS and World Series MVPs as the Phillies won the World Series. It won’t be long before he’s back on his game.

Cliff Lee, Cleveland

I didn’t really want to put him on this list, but he won the AL Cy Young with insane stats last year (22-3, 2.54 ERA), and he’s putting up great numbers again this year with a 2.94 ERA. It just sucks that his offense really hates scoring runs when he’s on the mound. Last year’s success wasn’t an anomaly, as he won 46 games in a three-year stretch from 2004 to 2006. Lee just needs to be more consistent.

John Saunders, Los Angeles Angels

Handicapping software won’t have him as one of the top Cy Young picks this year, so get on the train early if you can, because you’ll get great betting value for Saunders, who has carried a banged-up Angels’ staff all season. He won 17 games and at 28, he should be in his prime right about now. I expect at least 3-4 more very good seasons from Saunders, and the Angels would do well to keep him, as he would be a major boost to their baseball lines.