Kansas City Royals odds – Are the Royals the new Rays
Kansas City Royals odds are no good for a World Series pick; the team has been a lovable loser in the AL Central for years, and sports betting lines for the Royals indicate nothing has changed. But nobody expected the Tampa Bay Rays to turn things around last year, as evidenced by their 150-to-1 MLB odds to win the World Series at the beginning of the season. Considering their strong spring, maybe the Royals finally have a chance to make their mark.
Royals odds: +6500 to win the World Series
- Royals finished 18-8 last September
- K.C. banking on breakouts from Billy Butler, Alex Gordon
- Young pitching staff must mature for Royals
Royals betting fans watched their team finish an impressive 18-8 last September, which has invited a wave of optimism heading into the team’s 2009 campaign. But the Royals will not be a competitive team until their pitching staff can take control and lead the way. If spring training is any indication, it won’t happen this year.
If you’re going to bet on the Royals with any realistic faith, No. 2 starter Zack Greinke must come around. He has been touted as having Cy Young potential but produced an ugly 9.21 ERA in the spring. As a team, the Royals were at 5.69.
While the pitching struggled in exhibition, anyone wanting to bet the Royals can be encouraged somewhat by the team’s hitting. Kansas City should get a big boost at the top of its order with Coco Crisp leading off. He is an experienced lead-off man who can infuse some of the winning atmosphere he experienced in Boston. Behind him is the steady David DeJesus and Mark Teahen, who has 30-100 potential.
The main power hitter for the Royals will be Jose Guillen, while the addition of Mike Jacobs gives Kansas City someone with some pop in his bat to hit behind Guillen. That will certainly help sportsbook odds.
If Royals odds are going to be worth considering in 2009, the team needs breakout years from Billy Butler and Alex Gordon. The world is still waiting on Gordon and another down season will move him closer to the bust category. Butler has some more time on his clock and, considering he hit .305 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs after the All-Star break last year, the potential is there.
The Royals have the pieces in place to finish .500 but they have to avoid an awful April, which is traditionally their worst month of the season. With a fast start, the Royals could be a surprise team in the Majors if the pieces fall in place.
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Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.
