In a subject we will no doubt revisit before all is said and done, we take a look at the BetUS odds on who will come away with that World Series title in October, which a few comments on each of the clubs in question.
Let's get things started by looking at the numbers:
BetUS MLB Futures Odds
To Win 2008 World Series
New York Yankees +2000
Boston Red Sox +450
Chicago White Sox +1400
Los Angeles Angels +350
Minnesota Twins +1600
Detroit Tigers +8000
Toronto Blue Jays +25000
Texas Rangers +25000
New York Mets +1200
St Louis Cardinals +2200
Los Angeles Dodgers +1600
Philadelphia Phillies +1400
Florida Marlins +2500
Atlanta Braves +30000
Chicago Cubs +400
Colorado Rockies +15000
Arizona Diamondbacks +2000
Milwaukee Brewers +1200
Tampa Bay Devil Rays +650
New York Yankees (+2000 at BetUS) -- Getting some pitchers back might be good news, but what the Yankees were counting on from the start was the young trio of Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain carrying them to glory. It didn't work out that way. Now they're actually hoping Carl Pavano, the forgotten man, can provide a contribution. Where would they be without Mike Mussina?
Boston Red Sox (+450 at BetUS) -- The Sox are winning a few games on the road, which is a good sign. Most team members probably feel that Manny Ramirez's departure was addition by subtraction. Jason Bay is going to be a positive "addition by addition." he hit two homers the other night. The Red Sox, who just can't seem to catch the persistent Rays, are leading the AL wild card race, though they're hardly in control of it.
Chicago White Sox (+1400 at BetUS) -- Ken Griffey is hitting .225 with three RBI's for his new team. Nonetheless, the Pale Hose are hot; they've won six of seven through Monday, and scored 13 runs in back-to-back games. They're in a three-way with Minnesota and Boston right now. two of those teams will make the playoffs. One won't.
Los Angeles Angels (+350 at BetUS) -- The Angels have lost four of their last five games. But they are still solid favorites, because they are the ones who can virtually guarantee themselves a playoff spot, with a lead in the AL West that has grown to 15.5 games as of Tuesday. Mark Teixeira is hitting .371 for the Angels, with 15 RBI's in 17 games. He makes a difference on offense, and may just be the guy who takes this team over the top. Five starters have double-digit win totals, and Saunders, Santana and Lackey will be a tough trio to beat in the post-season.
Minnesota Twins (+1600 at BetUS) -- A team filled with unlikely heroes. Joe Nathan has neither a win nor a loss, but with 33 saves and a 1.02 ERA, he has to be considered an MVP candidate. Nathan has not given up a run in nine straight appearances, and he's gotten 25% of opposing batters top 0-2 in the count.
Detroit Tigers (+8000 at BetUS) -- This "dream" lineup has now lost Pudge Rodriguez and may soon wave goodbye to Gary Sheffield. And the pitching is a nightmare. Dontrelle Willis couldn't even win a game in Single-A ball.
Toronto Blue Jays (+25000 at BetUS) -- Toronto has allowed fewer runs than anybody, and the pitching staff is more complete, with Jesse Litsch and Shawn Marcum back in action, and A.J, Burnett a 15-game winner. But the Jays are too many steps away from real contention, unless they put on a furious run.
Texas Rangers (+25000 at BetUS) -- The Rangers are like a softball team. They can pound the ball out of any park, and Josh Hamilton (114 RBI's) and Ian Kinsler (.319) may be the best at their respective positions. But the pitching is too depleted to prevent breakdowns.
New York Mets (+1200 at BetUS) -- Billy Wagner is out indefinitely. His return is going to be critical, not just for the Mets' hopes to win the NL East, but to advance in the playoffs. How quickly can he come back from his injured elbow?
St Louis Cardinals (+2200 at BetUS) -- A nice starting rotation, but there are still some bullpen issues to be solved.
Los Angeles Dodgers (+1600 at BetUS) -- Manny Ramirez was obviously a genius pickup. And youngster Clayton Kershaw, who has given up a run or less in four of his last five starts, is developing much faster than almost anyone imagined. The Dodgers are tied for the NL West lead AND playing over the .500 mark. With Kershaw in the rotation, Hiroki Kuroda showing some good form, and Greg Maddux perhaps able to add some veteran help here and there, L.A. won't miss Brad Penny, who had a bloated ERA (6.05) anyway.
Philadelphia Phillies (+1400 at BetUS) -- The Phillies still hit a ton of homers (166, 2nd in the majors), but they don't have a third starter who's worth a damn. That will prevent them from going for in the playoffs, if they get there.
Florida Marlins (+2500 at BetUS) -- The Marlins were buoyed by the return of starting pitchers Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez, and the emergence of Chris Volstad. They just picked up catcher Mike LoDuca to add some depth and maybe more offense. This home run-hitting bunch could be there right to the end in the NL East. Then will it be three post-seasons, three World Series titles for this crew?
Atlanta Braves (+30000 at BetUS) -- The Braves are too far back. And when they start dealing heavy hitters like Mark Teixeira away, you know they're not betting on themselves.
Chicago Cubs (+400 at BetUS) -- This is a complete, balanced team. But one of the keys to a World Series drive will be Kerry Wood, who's pitched only twice since July 11. Carlos Marmol is picking up some of the slack, but these guys, even with their 45-17 record at home, still need all hands on deck in that pen to complement a solid starting three of Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and ted Lilly.
Colorado Rockies (+15000 at BetUS) -- I apologize later if I'm wrong, but even in this division that has played below average for most of the year, another miraculous run by the Rockies is unlikely.
Arizona Diamondbacks (+2000 at BetUS) -- Randy Johnson is becoming a useful starter again, which is great news when you also have Brandon Webb and Dan Haren. With Adam Dunn added to the lineup, the D-Backs are a definite threat in the post-season, if their starting pitching continues to hold up.
Milwaukee Brewers (+1200 at BetUS) -- With the addition of C.C. Sabathia, who is now 8-0 with a 1.60 ERA for the Brewers, this team, which has enough balance and power on offense, and another "ace" type in Ben Sheets, could very easily make a big move in the NL playoffs. If they get there, that is. Right now they're in good position, as the league's wild card leader.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (+650 at BetUS) -- Anyone who was anticipating the demise of the Tampa Bay Rays was sadly mistaken. This team has fended off Boston for most of the year, but now is a critical stage for the Rays. They are now minus Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria AND Troy Percival, and they will have to pick up the slack for those guys, because the lead over teams like Boston, Minnesota and the White Sox is not that comfortable.
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