MLB Power Rankings – Angels are baseball’s best bet
Posted on 8/12/2008 11:41:36 AM
By T.J. Kendrick
2008 MLB Betting Odds
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Angels cruising to West title
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Cubs in control of National League
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Rays recover, taking control of East
Here is a look at the top five teams in baseball as of August 11, with MLB betting odds to win the World Series in parentheses.
Los Angeles Angels (+380) – They have opened up a giant lead in the American League West and appear to be cruising into the playoffs, but they did not rest at all, picking up slugger Mark Teixeira from Atlanta at the trade deadline. Combined with one of the deepest rotations in the majors, along with the game's best closer in Francisco Rodriguez, the Angels are a huge threat to take the American League pennant.
Chicago Cubs (+390) – Rich Harden has been a beast for the Cubs since coming over from Oakland, and only the Angels can compete with the Cubs in terms of depth in the starting rotation. Not to mention the fact that the Cubs have scored the most runs in the National League. How the Cubs will handle the pressure of a stretch run should say a lot about their World Series hopes.
Tampa Bay Rays (+575) – The Rays have bounced back from a pre-All Star slump to regain control of the American League East, led by a pitching staff that is third in the league in ERA. However, many wonder how the young Rays will fare down the stretch, and whether their lack of run production (tenth in the American League) and mounting injuries will hurt them.
Boston Red Sox (+520) – The defending World Series champions got rid of a major distraction when they sent disgruntled Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline, and they are 6-3 in their first nine games of the post-Manny era. However, ace Josh Beckett has not been his usual dominant self, and now Tim Wakefield is gone to the disabled list. It will be a tough task for the Red Sox to hold onto the wild-card spot but if they make it to the playoffs, anything can happen.
Milwaukee Brewers (+835) – The Brewers are lucky to hold onto the final spot in these power rankings due to their embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Cubs at home at the end of July, but they recovered with seven wins in nine games following that debacle. With a duo like C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets at the top of the rotation, the Brewers are still a threat to catch the Cubs in the National League Central, if their hitting can catch up to their pitchers.
T.J. Kendrick is the biggest baseball nut and a brilliant MLB handicapper. His love of the game borders on obsession, and he takes every chance he gets to make excellent predictions, frequently contributing to industry handicapping sites as well as BetOnline.com. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
