Tigers Top MLB Futures; Cabrera Favorite for MVP

Unbeaten on the mound this season, Max Scherzer is just one of the reasons the Detroit Tigers find themselves as World Series favorites.

The Detroit Tigers remain at the top of the MLB futures, according to leading sportsbook Bovada.

The Tigers are currently regarded as 13/2 favorites to win the World Series at the end of October, putting the American League team ahead of the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals, both of which have been assigned 8/1 odds.

Divisional Domination

While Detroit’s lead at the top of the AL Central may only stand at two games, the Motor City side is way ahead of the divisional competition in the eyes of the bookmakers.

Bovada currently has Detroit (31-26) at 1/3 to win the AL Central, with the revitalized Cleveland Indians (30-29) in second-place at 4/1. The disappointing Chicago White Sox (25-32) have odds of 12/1 to win the division, while the Kansas City Royals (24-32) and Minnesota Twins (26-30) bring up the rear with 15/1 odds.

This expectancy that Detroit will win the division also translates to the American League pennant.

Bovada currently has the Tigers at 3/1 to win the pennant and represent the league in the Fall Classic, making Jim Leyland’s side the current favorite.

The Tigers are followed closely by the AL West-leading Texas Rangers at 4/1. The AL East quartet of the Boston Red Sox (7/1), New York Yankees (8/1), Tampa Bay Rays (9/1) and Baltimore Orioles (10/1) follows behind.

In terms of the World Series, Detroit opened the season No. 4 on the futures list, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels. Each of those sides has struggled to start the season, whereas the Tigers have been consistent, getting solid outings from the starting rotation and big numbers from the offense.

A full list of the most recent World Series odds can be found below. For more information, check out Bovada’s baseball futures page.

After last year’s incredible season, Miguel Cabrera is on course to win some awards again this season.

Cabrera Hunting Second Triple Crown

It appears that becoming the first baseball Triple Crown winner in 45 years isn’t enough for Miguel Cabrera.

The reigning American League MVP currently tops Bovada’s list of AL MVP favorites, with odds sitting comfortably at 1/1.

The third baseman is followed by Chris Davis (Baltimore) at 3/1, Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) at 7/1, Robinson Cano (New York Yankees) and Clay Buchholz (Boston), both at 10/1.

Furthermore, Cabrera looks to have set his sights on a second Triple Crown. The 30-year-old currently leads American League batters with a .366 batting average and 65 RBIs. With 17 homeruns, he sits second behind Davis (20). Another game like last month’s three-homerun outing against Texas and Cabrera could be leaving Davis far behind.

Believe it or not, Cabrera’s numbers this season are even better than last season. After 57 games last year, the Venezuelan native was hitting .323 with 13 homeruns and 49 RBIs. In fact, the only offensive numbers that haven’t improved this season are doubles – Cabrera has hit two fewer, but does have a triple instead – and strikeouts – he’s struck out once more this year.

This sort of improvement stands him in good stead as he looks to make history as the first player to win back-to-back Triple Crown awards.

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Despite being the bookies’ favorite, Detroit has struggled of late, winning just two of the last six games.

Having won the opening game of the series, Jim Leyland’s side fell 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, succumbing to a ninth inning Rays’ rally. The Tigers will look to win the rubber game when the two sides meet on Thursday afternoon (1:08 pm ET).

Unbeaten Max Scherzer (7-0, 3.42 ERA) takes to the mound for the Tigers. Roberto Hernandez (3-5, 4.87 ERA) will start for the Rays.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers odds for 6/6/13 are available now.

Detroit (-177) opened as the favorite over Tampa Bay (+167) but most sportsbooks now have the Tigers around the -200 marker.

Following Thursday’s game, the Tigers will host the Cleveland Indians in a three-game weekend series.