MLB 2011 Division Odds and Win Totals – AL West
Teams have reported to 2011 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our division-by-division betting odds and team by team season win totals MLB baseball betting previews for the year.
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The Texas Rangers rose to the top of the AL West with a record of 90-72 in 2010 to end Los Angeles’ string of three consecutive AL West titles. They won the ALDS in five games over Tampa and ended New York’s chance of back-to-back titles by ousting the Yankees in six games in the ALCS. The Rangers bid for their own world title fell short as they lost to San Francisco in five games in the World Series.
Oakland was able to finish at .500 with an 81-81 record which was six more wins than in 2009. The Angels fall from grace was swift as they finished 80-82 for the year, while Seattle hit rock-bottom with the worst record in the American League at 61-101.
Here is a look at the odds to win the division for each team in the AL West along with the over/under on their season win total as provided by Sportsbook.com.
Texas Rangers +125
Win Total: 86.5
The loss of ‘ace’ Cliff Lee will undoubtedly hurt, but Texas is counting on C.J. Wilson to step and anchor the rotation. Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter are a solid two and three in the rotation; however things thin out from there. The Rangers should be able to still pound the ball with Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre stuck right in the middle of the lineup. This combination of pitching and hits makes Texas the team to beat in the West.
Oakland Athletics +180
Win Total: 83.5
Oakland is poised for a breakout season after progressively adding the necessary pieces for success over the past few seasons. The starting rotation is set with Trevor Cahill as the ‘ace’. If Brett Anderson can remain healthy and Dallas Braden can anchor the back end of the rotation, the Athletics’ bullpen could make this pitching staff one of the overall best in the division. Josh Willingham will need some additional support from the rest of the lineup to improve upon the A’s 663 run total in 2010.
Los Angeles Angels +225
Win Total: 83
The acquisition of Vernon Wells this past offseason should help Los Angeles take a major step toward getting back to the top of the West. If starting pitcher Scott Kazmir and infielder Maicer Izturis can return to the form they both displayed in 2009, that would help this team take a couple of more steps in this process. Bobby Abreu will need to adjust to life as the Angels new DH and Kendry Morales will have to get back in the swing of things after missing the majority of last season with a broken ankle.
Seattle Mariners +2000
Win Total: 70
There is still a core group of talent on this team with staff ace Felix Hernandez, 3B Chone Figgens, and outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, but the holes that exist throughout the rest of the roster are just too deep to make the Mariners competitive this season. If the under-25 crowd of Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda can play beyond their years and the Mariners catch a break here and there, a 70+ win season could be a realistic goal in 2011.
