American League ‘Futures’ Odds
Pitchers and catchers have begun reporting to their team’s spring training site which is a clear indication that the start of another Major League Baseball season is right around the corner.
This marks the perfect time to take a look at which teams have the best chance to win this season’s American League Pennant and earn a trip to the 2012 World Series.
All odds quoted are provided by Cappers Picks top sportsbooks.
The Favorite
The Los Angeles Angels won the American League West Division three straight seasons from 2007-2009, but after two years of playing second-fiddle to the Texas Rangers decided to go after MLB’s most prized free agent Albert Pujols this offseason.
His arrival in LA has not only made the Angels favorites to recapture the West, they are now the odds-on-favorite to win the whole American League at 3/1.
Along with Pujols, the Angels have brought in pitcher C.J. Wilson from the rival Rangers to sure-up a starting rotation that also features Jared Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana.
Last year LA finished 86-76 and you have to believe that Pujols alone should add another 10 wins or so which should go a long way at putting LA at the top of the heap in 2012.
The Contender
The second-favorite to win the AL at 7/2 is no stranger to high expectations, but you have to wonder if the window of opportunity for the New York Yankees is still as wide-open as it once was.
The Yankees won the AL East last season at 97-65, but made a painfully early exit from the postseason with a loss to Detroit in the Division Series. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
New York is still loaded with talent, but age is starting to become a major factor when you look at its starting lineup. They did trade for Michael Pineda to upgrade their pitching, but the Yankees are going to need much more than that to get all the way back to the World Series.
A few of the other contenders in the AL include the Detroit Tigers at 4/1 and the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers at 11/2.
The Longshot
The Tampa Bay Rays play in the most competitive division in baseball, but they have still managed to work their way into the postseason in three of the last four years. This is why at 12/1 odds to win the AL, the Rays remain the value pick on the list.
Last season they went 91-71 to earn the wildcard, but came up well short in the Division Series against Texas.
Tampa did an excellent job this offseason of addressing some glaring deficiencies from last year, while keeping its core nucleus of talent intact. The Rays added Carlos Pena and Luke Scott to provide some additional firepower to the lineup.
They also brought in Burke Badenhop and Fernando Rodney to fill in some holes in the bullpen. Look for this team to once again press New York all the way into October.
A couple of even longer shots to keep an eye on this season are the Toronto Blue Jays at 22/1, the Chicago White Sox at 30/1, and the Oakland Athletics at 35/1.
*** Updated Odds at Presstime ***
ODDS TO WIN 2012 AMERICAN LEAGUE PENNANT
Los Angeles Angels 3/1
New York Yankees 7/2
Detroit Tigers 4/1
Boston Red Sox 11/2
Texas Rangers 11/2
Tampa Bay Rays 12/1
Toronto Blue Jays 22/1
Chicago White Sox 30/1
Cleveland Indians 35/1
Oakland Athletics 35/1
Kansas City Royals 40/1
Minnesota Twins 40/1
Seattle Mariners 50/1
Baltimore Orioles 75/1
