As usual, fan expectations are running high for the Kansas City Royals as the 2011 Major League Baseball season approaches. However, MLB Odds professionals at most sports shops agree that success will not come this year. Of course odds makers are often wrong and the Royals might prove that this year.
The Royals wasted little time in 2010 showing the betting public it was going to be a long season by losing 23 games over the first 35 days. The bad start resulted in the firing of manager Tre Hillman. General Manager Dayton Moore then looked to former Milwaukee Brewers skipper Ned Yost to take over from there. Under Yost, the club finished the season 28-games below .500 and in the AL Central Division cellar.
If KC is able to turn the tables and win the fall classic, 2011 World Series Picks backers would enjoy a huge financial windfall of around 7-or-8K, depending on the sportsbook selected. KC's winning odds are the worst in baseball, at +8000 to win the World Series, at +5000 to win the AL Pennant and +8000 to win the AL Central.
Fortunately for the Royals, help is on the way. If it's enough help to get KC back to the 2011 playoffs remains to be seen. The Royals gave up some great pitching to help shore up their defense by trading 2009 Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke to the Brewers for slick fielding short stop Alcides Escobar, speedy outfielder Lorenzo Cain, and pitching prospects Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress.
The Royals have come out of the spring training gate playing well, but making 2011 MLB Predictions on their regular season success is a little early. The Royals have some strong offensive players but are lacking devensively. Improving pitching depth has been costly. The Royals organization was recently noted for having the best farm system and combining that with newer prospect will show in the win column.
