MLB odds – Don’t count on a Philly repeat
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With spring training underway and World Baseball Classic betting knocking on the door, those who bet sports know it’s time to explore the 2009 MLB sports betting odds. After the usual flurry of offseason activity, many different squads look poised for deep playoff runs. Only a handful can make it, so which teams make for the best bets?
MLB sports betting: The rich get richer in the offseason
- Phillies unlikely to repeat
- Yankees broke the bank
- Rays offer great value
MLB odds to win the World Series
- ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS +1000
- ATLANTA BRAVES +1000
- BALTIMORE ORIOLES +8500
- BOSTON RED SOX +470
- CHICAGO CUBS +450
- CHICAGO WHITE SOX +2000
- CINCINNATI REDS +7500
- CLEVELAND INDIANS +750
- COLORADO ROCKIES +7500
- DETROIT TIGERS +1900
- FLORIDA MARLINS +4000
- HOUSTON ASTROS +7500
- KANSAS CITY ROYALS +6500
- LOS ANGELES ANGELS +875
- LOS ANGELES DODGERS +1500
- MILWAUKEE BREWERS +4000
- MINNESOTA TWINS +2000
- NEW YORK METS +550
- NEW YORK YANKEES +350
- OAKLAND ATHLETICS +3000
- PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES +3000
- PITTSBURGH PIRATES +7500
- SAN DIEGO PADRES +7600
- SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS +5000
- SEATTLE MARINERS +8000
- ST. LOUIS CARDINALS +1500
- TAMPA BAY RAYS +900
- TEXAS RANGERS +6000
- TORONTO BLUE JAYS +3000
- WASHINGTON NATIONALS +7500
Naturally, MLB betting fans will look to the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies (+1000) first in MLB odds this season. They’re likely to remain a contender and win their usual 85-95 games but a repeat is unlikely this year. Philly will still bop with the best of ’em – newcomer Raul Ibanez will more than replace Pat Burrell – but those who bet baseball should remember that Chase Utley may take a while to find his stroke after offseason hip surgery. Cole Hamels anchors the pitching staff and is my pick to win the NL Cy Young this season, but the rotation is shaky after that…perhaps too shaky for MLB odds and another World Series.
The best contenders: the Cubs and Yankees. The only thing stopping Chicago from reaching the World Series, it seems, is “the curse.” It consistently fields great hitting lineups and churns out quality arms, so it should win the NL Central again. The Yankees…well, if you weren’t living under a rock this offseason, you know what the Steinbrenners’ wallets did for that roster. Even if Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett are busts, the Yanks will improve.
Ultimately, picking the top three teams in the AL East at the sportsbook will make you rich all year in the MLB odds. The Red Sox should push the Yankees hard this year; Jason Bay should continue his torrid hitting and something tells me John Smoltz will be very special. But beware of setbacks after career years in 2008 from Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis.
The young, exciting Rays should compete hard again in a division that may feature three 90-game winners in the MLB odds. With David Price ready to become an ace starter, Tampa could reach the World Series just as easily as Boston and New York and offers much better value at +1500.
The other big offseason spender, the New York Mets, should make things interesting in the NL this year. More than anything else, the vastly improved bullpen, now featuring K-Rod and J.J. Putz, could lead them to a division crown. They’ll be consistently good MLB odds choices.
Some other important factors to consider when you bet on MLB odds this year:
THE PERENIALLY “PRETTY GOOD” TEAMS
The Angels and White Sox are always competitive. But can they recover from the losses of K-Rod and Javier Vazquez, respectively? Bobby Abreu should help L.A. and Cuban import Dayan Viciedo is a name to remember.
YOUNG GUNS BOUNCE BACK
What happened to Arizona and Cleveland last year? Online betting players should expect them to bounce back – especially Arizona, which has better pitching than the Indians. Considering how much value the D-Backs and Tribe offer at the sportsbook, you can’t forget about them.
SURPRISE TEAMS
Atlanta and Houston could surprise. The Royals, too? Nah…not this year, at least.
THE MANNY FACTOR
Whichever team gets Manny Ramirez will significantly increase its World Series odds; the Dodgers and Mets, both of whom have been linked to ManRam, would cement their status as contenders if they landed him. Why not play the hunch and bet on their current MLB odds before they get Manny?
MEDIOCRE TEAM, GOOD MATCHUPS
Betting on the MLB odds obviously isn’t always about picking contenders for the World Series; what about lesser-hyped teams that can help you in the day-to-day grind? The slugging Rockies and Rangers are always good bets at home when they’re not facing ace starters. San Francisco and Toronto can help you when superstars Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay, who are virtually loss-proof, take the mound.
For more MLB betting odds and MLB betting analysis, bookmark the betting edge at BetOnline.com.
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.
