2010 MLB AL West Odds: Los Angeles has owned the American League West of late, winning the division five out of the last six seasons. Baseball oddsmakers at SPORTSBETTING.com are looking for the Angels reign to end this season, though, as they have the Texas Rangers listed as a +125 moneyline favorite to finish first in the online bookmaker's 2010 MLB AL West Odds. The Angels and Mariners are each listed at +175 odds while the Athletics come in at a distant +900.
So, what has oddsmakers, as well as the betting public, convinced that the Angels are on the brink of being dethroned? Not
sure exactly. Los Angeles did lose long-time ace John Lackey to the Red Sox, but their starting rotation still appears to be superior to the Rangers, especially if Ervin Santana returns to his 2008 form. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders are a solid one, two combo and Santana, Scott Kazmir, and Matt Palmer match-up well with almost any other squad's three through five.
The Angles also saw the departure of Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins. Guerrero will be replaced by World Series MVP Hideki Matsui, which is an upgrade, while Figgins spot will be filled by Brandon Wood. The loss of Figgins hurts, especially since he landed with a division rival in Seattle, but this team will have no problem scoring runs.
The Rangers did improve in 2009, going from 79 wins in 2008 to 87 last year. The advancment could continue as the club certainly has the ability to hammer out runs, but the starting rotation, even with the addition of Rich Harden, is not the equal of the Angels or the Mariners, for the matter. Harden is an injury waiting to happen and Scott Feldman, Tommy Hunter, and Derek Holland, while oozing potential, have not fully established themselves as sure-fire performers.
Seattle put themselves in the mix with the addition of Cliff Lee to the rotation and Figgins to the batting order; however, the Mariners do not have the same kind of offensive pop that the Angels and Rangers do. The M's should be on the plus side of ledger once again, but it is doubtful they have the fire-power to overtake Los Angeles.
SPORTSBETTING.com 2010 MLB AL West Odds:
Texas Rangers +125
Los Angeles Angels +175
Seattle Mariners +175
Oakland Athletics +900
Cash in with sign-up bonuses, weekly reload bonuses and free payouts at SPORTSBETTING.com, where betting is safe, secure and easy.
