Odds to Win 2009 AL Pennant

Written by Jack Jones

rays-win-al-pennant It’s a very exciting time of year with baseball betting just around the corner and I’m hoping to make 2009 one of my most profitable to date. You don’t have to wait until the games start and the MLB lines are posted for each of the day’s games to get your action going though. One of the favorite bets made by fans is on their team to win the American League pennant and if you can figure out which team is going to come out on top you could get some pretty long odds.

Boston Red Sox (+300) – This rotation should be pretty tough if Josh Beckett can stay healthy. They also have Jon Lester who keeps getting better and Dice-K, who has proven himself over the last three years to be a legitimate starter. The Manny Ramirez trade was tough because he was such a great player, but he was killing the clubhouse. Getting Jason Bay in return isn’t that big of a down grade talent-wise, but a big upgrade in terms of chemistry.

New York Yankees (+225) – How are CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett going to adjust to live in New York? There will be more scrutiny on both of these players than they have ever faced before in their playing careers. The addition of Mark Texeira also gives this lineup another threat, but without Alex Rodriguez at the beginning of the season and a lineup of aging veterans, I think this team screams over-rated.

LA Angels (+500) – The Angels ran away with the best record in the American League last year, but lost Texeira and their closer, Francisco Rodriguez. Even without those two stars, this team plays out West with three teams that shouldn’t be a real threat. You have to consider them because of the high percentage chance they have of making the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Rays (+750) – If the Red Sox or Yankees stumble, then watch out for the Rays to get themselves back in the playoffs. There is a lot of young talent returning from the team that made the World Series last year, but I have a feeling they are going to be on the outside looking in this year.

Other teams to consider – You have to look at the top three teams in the American League Central with the Cleveland Indians (+900), Minnesota Twins (+1400), and the Detroit Tigers (+1000). Both the Tigers and Indians have some questions with their rotation and with the longest odds of the bunch I think the Twins are the team that shows the most value. They just find a way to contend season after season and things shouldn’t be any different in 2009.

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