MLB American League Pennant Betting Odds

MLB American League Pennant Betting

Like almost any other year, the New York Yankees are the Spring Training favorite to win the American League Pennant. For the past 18 years, the Yankees have consistently been one of the board's most prominent overlays. It is true that the Yankees always win and are a regular postseason team. But that has not translated into American League pennants. And at a prohibitive opening price, New York won't pay much back to any gamblers that tie up their money for several months betting on them to win the pennant.

2021 MLB American League Pennant Odds (May 7)

The second choice for the American League pennant is the Chicago White Sox. Gamblers continue to be impressed with the White Sox roster overhaul over the past two years. And then the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays are the third-tier choices. Minnesota is a rising team that has been building for success over the past several years. And the Rays are the defending American League champions. Following the Twins and Rays are the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays.

As the most popular and historic team in Major League Baseball, the Yankees boast a worldwide fan base that will bet on them, no questions asked, any time that they can. New York will bring the highest payroll in the American League and the second-highest payroll in Major League Baseball. The Bronx Bombers can easily afford this status with the most considerable media revenue generated in the game. Yet with all that they have going for them, the Yankees have not gotten much return for the dollar. New York last won the American League pennant in 2009, which was their only American League title since 2003.

When healthy, the Yankees have one of the most potent lineups in Major League Baseball. Outfielder Aaron Judge, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, first baseman Luke Volt, shortstop Gleyber Torres, and infielder DJ LeMahieu pack a wallop for sure. Still, the problem has been injuries, particularly in the case of Judge. Gerrit Cole is a bona fide first starter, but the rest of the rotation is merely average. Closer Aroldis Chapman is one of the best.

The White Sox made the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last year, but that question is whether their 35-25 record was a pace that could have been sustained over a regular 162- game schedule. Chicago has an impressive lineup led by first baseman Jose Abreu and designated hitter Eloy Jimenez. The White Sox starting rotation is unproven but with potential, led by Lucas Gioloto. At the same time, Liam Hendriks is a reliable closer.

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off back-to-back playoff seasons and the 2020 American League pennant. That is even though they have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball each year. Gamblers perpetually underestimate the Rays, which is one of their strengths as a betting value. The Rays have a unique way of taking Moneyball concepts to the next level. Tampa Bay rates every player in its organization like a stock on the market. The Rays have transformed the idea of analytics to an entirely new level of effectiveness. Tyler Glasnow leads a surprisingly inconsistent starting pitching staff. Tampa Bay may employ up to three different closers in 2021. Like everything else about the Rays, the one overriding concept is to do things differently.

The Minnesota Twins have made the playoffs in three of their last four years and have won the American League Central the past two years. Minnesota is in their sweet spot after missing the playoffs from 2011 through 2016. That long period of rebuilding has finally paid dividends. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz, first baseball Miguel Sano, second baseman Luis Arraez, and outfielder Max Kepler are all part of an impressive lineup. Jose Berrios and Kenta Maeda lead the starting rotation. Closer remains a question with Taylor Rogers and Alex Colome slated to share duties.

American League Pennant Winners (2000)

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