Betting On MLB – Top AL Contenders Look To Flex Their Muscle Early On This Week

While a couple of perennial contenders from the American League East opened the 2011 season at opposite ends of the spectrum, both will look to open the MLB betting week with a couple of big wins. Meanwhile, it’s the defending AL champions that are leading the way again out of the West division, while the team that held the Central division lead a week before will look to get back on track.

Texas Rangers @ Oakland Athletics

The Rangers have become one of the most complete teams in baseball this year, and although their young pitching staff has struggled with consistency their high-powered offense has been there to bail them out when needed. The hope for Ron Washington and company is that by the time the postseason rolls around Texas will have found a couple of gems to rely on, whether it be internally or by making a move before the trade deadline. The Rangers will send 24-year old Derek Holland to the mound on Monday to counter Brandon McCarthy in an unfavorable matchup. But after watching the way that McCarthy struggled in an 8-3 loss to the Anaheim Angels the Texas offense knows it can get the job done.

MLB Betting Pick: Texas Rangers

New York Yankees @ Detroit Tigers

Monday, 7:05 PM ET

Heading into the 2011 season pitching was expected to be a major weakness for the Yankees, one that could potentially cost them a division title. But the pinstripes have found their way back to the top in advance of the annual Kentucky derby betting race in big part due to a couple of pleasant surprises, including the solid play of AJ Burnett and resurgence of Bartolo Colon. New York will send Colon to the mound on Monday to battle a strong Tigers’ offense, but after watching his eight inning performance in a 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox they have every reason to feel confident.

MLB Betting Pick: New York Yankees

LA Angels @ Boston Red Sox

Tuesday, 7:10 PM ET

One of the biggest reasons for Boston’s slow start to the 2011 season was the play of their ace Jon Lester, who struggled with consistency through his first three games before putting things together in consecutive wins. Help from the offense has been another key to the Red Sox turnaround, but they will need to pick it up against Angels’ starter Dan Haren, who didn’t allow an earned run in a 2-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics in his last start, and has pitched a 1.23 ERA on the year.

MLB Betting Pick: Anaheim Angels

Baltimore Orioles @ Kansas City Royals

Tuesday, 8:10 PM ET

After pitching a gem in his first start against the Anaheim Angels, Jeff Francis has really struggled while failing to get back into the win column in his last five starts. He’ll get a good shot against the Baltimore Orioles with another struggling pitcher opposite him in Brad Bergeson, as long as the Royals’ bats can come to life. A six-game losing streak including a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians pushed Kansas City down a notch in the division, making this a crucial week for them to remain in the sports betting race early on.

MLB Betting Pick: Kansas City Royals