MLB Opening Day Odds and Picks
Yes, technically the Major League Baseball regular season has already begun. In fact, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to go 3-0 before almost everyone else throws their first pitch. The Dodgers host the San Diego Padres tonight after sweeping two games from the Arizona Diamondbacks in Australia last weekend.
But Monday will be Opening Day because that is the first day we will have multiple games being played. With Opening Day we get great pitching match-ups as everyone throws their ace in game number one. We have nothing else really to go by as far as who we like to win because we haven’t seen anyone play yet. Let’s look some futures odds according to Bovada:
Odds to win the AL East:
Boston Red Sox+220
Tampa Bay Rays +220
New York Yankees +240
Baltimore Orioles +700
Toronto Blue Jays +700
Remember, the team who was the biggest long-shot in this division not only won it but the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. That is how good this division is. Nobody would be a big shock. The Red Sox will miss Jacoby Ellsbury is now a Yankee. He and Dustin Pedroia always seemed to be on base. The Rays have six winning seasons in a row and may have their best Opening Day roster ever.
Odds to win the AL Central:
Detroit Tigers -225
Kansas City Royals +450
Cleveland Indians +550
Chicago White Sox +1200
Minnesota Twins +2500
Even with no Prince Fielder the odds makers thing Detroit might as well start printing playoff tickets. We think the Indians and Royals may have something to say about that.
Odds to win the AL West:
Texas Rangers + 175
Oakland A’s +200
Los Angeles Angels +225
Seattle Mariners +700
Houston Astros +5000
The Astros are worth putting a small wager on just in case. The big question in this division is will Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton start earning al the money the Angles are paying them? If not they may need to see if they can trade them so they will be able to afford all that money Mike Trout will start earning.
Odds to win the NL East:
Washington Nationals -140
Atlanta Braves +150
Philadelphia Phillies +1000
New York Mets +1600
Miami Marlins +3300
Another long year in store for Mets and Marlins fans. Not sure that we like the Nats over the Braves though.
Odds to win the NL Central:
St. Louis Cardinals -150
Cincinnati Reds +350
Pittsburgh Pirates +375
Milwaukee Brewers +1000
Chicago Cubs +3300
We wonder when Cubs fans are going to grumble about how Theo Epstein is not doing for them what he did for the Red Sox. But they may be pleasantly surprised by some of the young talent coming their way. But the Cardinals still own this division.
Odds to win the NL West:
Los Angeles Dodgers -200
San Francisco Giants +350
Arizona Diamondbacks +700
San Diego Padres +1000
Colorado Rockies +1600
The Dodgers now have a higher payroll than the Yankees. Will they be able to buy a pennant? The Giants may have something to say about it.