Fall Classic
MLB All Star rosters were announced on Saturday, and with the game that decides who gets home field advantage in the World Series just a week away, let’s look at which teams could put that home field advantage to good use and claim the Commissioner’s Trophy. Odds courtesy of Bovada.lv.
Detroit Tigers (+650)
The Tigers were dealt a tough loss in the World Series a year ago, but they’re playing like a team that wants to get back to the Series this year. Detroit’s core remains largely intact while the return of Victor Martinez and the addition of Torii Hunter have made the Tiger lineup even more potent. Justin Verlander is rounding back into form after his annual slow start, while Max Scherzer has pitched his way into the Cy Young conversation. Their bullpen needs to be patched up at the trade deadline, but otherwise, the Tigers have all the weapons to push through and win their first World Series since 1984.
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Cincinnati Reds (+1400)
With the team playing half of their games in a very hitter-friendly ballpark it isn’t surprising to see the Reds have as much success offensively as they’ve had thus far. The deal that brought Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati is looking like a steal right now, while Votto, Phillips, and Bruce form one of the best middle of the order combos in all of baseball. The team’s staff, one through five, is the best in the game, and no opponent wants to see Aroldis Chapman come out of the bullpen.
Baltimore Orioles (+1600)
No team will send more players to the All Star Game than the Orioles. It’s no surprise that the team can still mash the ball, although Chris Davis’s torrid home run pace may come as a surprise to some. A year ago general manager Dan Duquette picked up a bunch of cheap arms at the trading deadline who wound up drawing starts in the postseason, but this year guys like Chris Tillman, Miguel Gonzalez, and Jason Hammel are pitching well enough to earn a spot in the team’s playoff rotation.
Washington Nationals (+1600)
A preseason World Series favorite of many, the Nationals have had some injury issues to deal with in the first half of the season, but the team is getting healthy now, and their roster is one of the deepest in baseball when all of the pieces are in place. The Nationals will be able to roll out a pair of aces in the postseason, a luxury they did not get to enjoy a year ago with Stephen Strasburg shut down in September.
Arizona Diamondbacks (+2200)
Someone is going to have to come out of the National League West, and right now it looks like that team is going to be the Diamondbacks. Patrick Corbin’s emergence makes the team’s pitching rotation look that much better, and they haven’t lost a step in the outfield with Justin Upton moving to Atlanta. Paul Goldschmidt still flies under the radar somewhat, but he’s going to get some serious MVP consideration at the end of the season. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Tampa Bay Rays (+2500)
The Rays are desperate for one of their starting pitchers to step up and take a firm grip on the No. 2 spot in the rotation. First it looked like it would be Matt Moore, then Alex Cobb, now it might be Jeremy Hellickson. Regardless of whom it is, as long as one of those guys is rolling along and the team continues to hit, the Rays will be a tough out come October. No manager in baseball gets more out of his players than Joe Maddon.
Odds to win the 2013 World Series
Detroit Tigers +650
St. Louis Cardinals +750
Atlanta Braves +800
Boston Red Sox +1100
Texas Rangers +1100
Oakland Athletics +1200
Pittsburgh Pirates +1200
Cincinnati Reds +1400
Baltimore Orioles +1600
Toronto Blue Jays +1600
Washington Nationals +1600
Arizona Diamondbacks +2200
Los Angeles Dodgers +2200
San Francisco Giants +2200
Los Angeles Angels +2500
New York Yankees +2500
Tampa Bay Rays +2500
Cleveland Indians +2800
Colorado Rockies +4000
San Diego Padres +4000
Kansas City Royals +5000
Philadelphia Phillies +6600
Minnesota Twins +15000
Chicago White Sox +25000
New York Mets +25000
Seattle Mariners +30000
Chicago Cubs +50000
Milwaukee Brewers +50000
Houston Astros +250000
Miami Marlins +300000
