2009 World Series Predictions

Written by Matt Foust

Tuesday, 07 April 2009

The 2009 Major League Baseball season is already underway and Sportsbook.com is giving seamheads a chance to bet on their favorite to win the 2009 World Series. With just a days worth of games in the books, the current favorite to win the Fall Classic is none other than the New York Yankees at +350 moneyline odds. 2009 World Series Predictions

2009 World Series Predictions at Sportsbook.com have odds on all 30 major league teams. Visit them today to get in your favorite picks to win baseball's biggest prize.

New York Yankees +350: Whether it be reputation or money spent, the New York Yankees are the favorite to win the 2009 World Series. Last season New York missed the playoffs for the first time since Eve handed the apple to Adam, finishing third in the AL East with a 89-73 record. They spent a ton of money in the offseason to avoid a second consecutive post-season sipping margaritas in Cabo San Lucas. C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira all joined the Yankee fold this year in hopes of bringing another World Series trophy back to the Empire State.

The shoring up of the pitching staff has led to the oddsmakers forecasting a Yankee resurgence. If New York's spring training numbers are any indiaction, which did not feature any contributions from third baseman Alex Rodriquez, than those prognostications are well founded. New York won the Grapefruit League with a 24-10 record and they pounded out league most 207 runs while allowing a league fewest 133.

Boston Red Sox +500: The Red Sox had a great season in 2008, going 95-67 and making another post-season appearance. However, they were not good enough to get by the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston lost to Tampa Bay in the ALCS, missing their opportunity at back to back championship seasons. The front office in Bean Town did not rest on their runner up laurels, choosing to upgrade an already outstanding pitching staff. Starters Brad Penny and John Smoltz were brought in through free agency as was former Dodger reliever Takashi Saito. Another power bullpen arm, Ramon Ramirez, was acquired in a trade that sent outfielder Coco Crisp to the Royals.

When your starting rotation features Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brad Penny, and Justin Masterson — you are right to be a Fall favorite. Forget the fact that Tim Wakefield, John Smoltz, and Clay Buchholz are also on the roster or that these guys will be handing the ball over to the likes of Hideki Okajima, Ramirez, Saito, and Jonathan Papelbon.

Following the Yankees and Red Sox in the World Series odds are National League squads Chicago and New York. The Cubs, who won the NL Central last year with a 97-64 record, are listed at +600 on the moneyline to break their franchise's championship curse. The Mets, who finished second in the NL East a year ago and out of the playoffs, are coming in at +700 moneyline odds.

2008 World Series winner, Philadelphia, and 2008 ALCS winner, Tampa Bay, are both being listed at +1200 odds to win this year's Fall Classic.

Sportsbook.com's 2009 World Series Predictions:

New York Yankees +350

Boston Red Sox +500

Chicago Cubs +600

New York Mets +700

Philadelphia Phillies +1200

Tampa Bay Rays +1200

Los Angeles Dodgers +1500

Cleveland Indians +1500

Arizona Diamondbacks +1800

Detroit Tigers +2000