With injuries to the Pitching Staff mounting fast for the Rays, and now with them not paying out such a great odd, the value pendulum has swung back to pick either the Yankees at +900 or the Red Sox at +750 for the AL Pennant. The Yankees just took 3 out of 4 from the Red Sox, have a better offense in this year’s lineup, and have decent pitching. Boston is the reigning champs – and will be part of the race before all is said and done. Factor in major injuries to Texas, Oakland and the LA Angels early, and a horrid Tigers Bullpen so far, and these two rivals have the best value on the board.
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The Rays are finally listed where they should be on the betting board.
3 teams start play today tied in the AL East in the Rays, Yankees and Jays. Baltimore has struggled along with Boston.
I think it is way too early to shovel dirt on the Red Sox season. While I think they may not take down another pennant, they are my 2nd favorite play in the AL Pennant Odd list for return.
The Yankees are my favorite odds pick right now with a +900 mark.
Yes they have injuries to old guys are their team, but the guys in the lineup can mash right now, and particularly at Yankee Stadium.
The Braves are doing it again in 2014. They are without Medlen and Beachy, and even Santana for a few weeks, and have gone through another horrid start for Heyward, Uggla and B.J. Upton – to be 8 – 4 and atop the NL West. Gavin Floyd and Mike Minor are coming back soon, and Freddie Freeman/Justin Upton have proved that solely 2 guys can practically carry a lineup for a while.
The National League still favors you picking the top 3 odds as World Series picks (LAD, WSH and STL) as all would be able to hold their own against any AL foe, and all of them pay 2 to 3 times higher for their World Series odd currently.
I don’t like any of those odds for those favorites.
My 3 plays (and 3 thru 5 this week) in the NL are: Atlanta at +900, Milwaukee at +1400 – and Cincinnati at +2200.
Atlanta leads the NL East right now backed by a great start from Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton. These guys will receive Mike Minor back at some point, and have weathered the early part of their schedule.
Also don’t lose the fact they just took 5 out of 6 versus Washington the last few weeks – who happened to lose Ryan Zimmerman for 4 – 6 weeks.
Milwaukee has won 10 in a row, and played the Braves tough in their opening series. With all offensive cylinders clicking this season – with healthy Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Braun so far, look the hell out!
Again these are value plays. not saying they will win the NL, just love the +1400 odd.
Finally Cincinnati has issues at Starting Pitcher where guys have struggled, Aroldis Chapman is out for another 6 weeks, and who knows how long Mat Latos is out too, but they still have Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce.
A healthy Ryan Ludwick, and efforts from Todd Frazier could help them get back in the race fast.
Tony Cingrani also has looked solid. At +2200, they may be worth a couple of bucks.
American League Pennant Odds
Detroit +400
TB Rays +650
Oakland +650
Texas +700
Boston +750
NY Yankees +900
LA Angels +1100
Toronto +1200
Seattle +1400
Cleveland +1400
Kansas City +2200
Baltimore +2200
Chicago White Sox +3300
Minnesota +100000
Houston +20000
National League Pennant Odds
LA Dodgers +275
Washington +375
St. Louis +400
Atlanta +900
San Francisco +900
Pittsburgh +1100
Milwaukee +1400
Cincinnati +2200
Colorado +2500
San Diego +3000
Philadelphia +3500
Arizona +4500
NY Mets +5500
Miami Marlins +6600
Chicago Cubs +6600
The Reds have charged out of the gate slow in the NL Central. Luckily for them, the Cardinals haven’t run away with anything, and Milwaukee will probably cool down a little. I like this team to shake off the Mat Latos and Aroldis Chapman injuries to at least make a charge in the Division – or at least for a playoff spot. The odd at +2200 might be worth a stab considering this team has made the playoffs several times of late.
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