AL division odds update: Can the Yankees climb out of early hole?
We've broken down the biggest movers in the World Series market and which teams are our best bets over the back half of the season. But what about the divisional races? While some are already sewn up, there is still value in betting a handful of teams to make things interesting.
Here are the odds to win each of the three AL divisions, along with our favorite value bet for each:
AL East
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | -130 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +120 |
| New York Yankees | +900 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +900 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +27500 |
Everything in me says to bet the Yankees, who still have an elite lineup and the most productive bullpen in baseball. But their shoddy rotation and inability to string together positive performances have dug the team into an eight-game hole that may prove too large to overcome.
The real value is on the favorites. The Red Sox have been smoking teams this year at the plate and have only gotten better over time, winning 11 of their last 16 games before the break. At this price, it's hard not to like their chances to close the deal.
Value: Red Sox -130
AL Central
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Chicago White Sox | -3000 |
| Cleveland Indians | +800 |
| Minnesota Twins | +8000 |
| Kansas City Royals | +10000 |
| Detroit Tigers | +15000 |
What is there to say about this division race, which is essentially decided at the halfway point? The White Sox have been hampered by injuries as much as any team in the majors and still carry an eight-game lead over the Indians, who have a seven-game lead on any other team in the division. It would take a monumental collapse for Chicago to blow this one, though I wouldn't bet $30 to win a buck on it, either.
Value: None
AL West
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros | -625 |
| Oakland Athletics | +300 |
| Seattle Mariners | +4000 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +4200 |
| Texas Rangers | +30000 |
The Astros were undervalued entering the season, and they've shown why with a 55-36 start to the season, tied for second-best in the American League. Still, at this price, it might be worth speculating on a late-season slide for a group that's gone .500 in its last 14 games.
Enter the Mariners, who have surprisingly posted the third-best record (16-8) in the majors since June 13 and are only seven games back of the division lead. Their rotation is still among the worst in the league, though their bats have carried them during their recent run. Is this a likely outcome? Certainly not. Is it worth a shot at 40-1? Absolutely.
Value: Mariners +4000
C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.