Before every baseball season, there are certain teams that everyone likes to think of as being improved or as a team that could potentially challenge for a division title. Those ball clubs seldom win the World Series but they sometimes meet and/or exceed expectations. There is, perhaps, no better example than the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays. Improvement was predicted almost across the board for Joe Maddon's club, but division title was not even discussed. 
Three long shot clubs that could be surprises this season are the Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins, and San Francisco Giants. A quick look at 2009 World Series Picks at Sportsbook.com shows the return value on these squads should they win the Fall Classic. The Marlins are the favorite among the trio at +2000 moneyline odds, while the Giants and Royals register at +4000 and +8000 respectively.
Florida proved last season that they have more than enough pop in their lineup to keep up with just about anybody in the National League. They did lose Mike Jacobs in the off season, but Jorge Cantu, Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, and Jeremy Hermida should still power this team to 760 runs or more in 2009. However, what makes the Marlins a big threat in a playoff series, should they reach the post-season, is their pitching staff.
Florida's one through five is young, but extremely talented. Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Chris Volstad, Andrew Miller and Anibal Sanchez, if they continue to progress, looks like a murderer's row playoff lineup, especially coupled with the Marlins ability to score.
The San Francisco Giants are a +4000 moneyline odds long shot, but given the nature of the NL West division, they could have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Their pitching staff, while still having a couple of wild cards, is probably the best in the West and could make up for their lack of scoring. Randy Johnson, who the club added in the off season, is still effective most of the time and will probably be even more so with a return to the National League. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are as solid as can be at the one and two spots while Jonathan Sanchez has the potential to evolve into a top two or three starter. Barry Zito has been a faliure for the Giants, but as a fourth or fifth starter, he is more than adequate.
The Royals finished 75-87 last season, which was a big improvement considering it was just the second time in the last five years that they did not lose 100 games. They should progress even further this season against what is a lackluster American League Central division. Put Kansas City in the AL East and they would not have a prayer, but they just might in the Central. Still a huge long shot at +8000 moneyline odds, but if they Rays can pull off what they did in 2008, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that KC could sneak into the playoffs. Once there, who knows.
The Royals starting rotation is good one through three with Gil Meche, Zack Greinke, and Kyle Davies, but it gets dicey after that. Sidney Ponson is a stop-gap measure in the four hole while Horacio Ramirez is a floodgate in the five spot. Former first rounder Luke Hochevar is in Triple-A, but should be with the big league club in short order. He pitched farely well for KC a year ago and he is light years ahead of Ramirez.
Offensively, Kansas City should be improved — although they have not shown it through the first six games of the season — with the addition of Mike Jacobs and Coco Crisp. If Alex Gordon can fulfill his potential and Mike Aviles can hit at last year's pace, they should be effective if nothing else.
Sportsbook.com's 2009 World Series Picks:
Florida Marlins +2000
San Francisco Giants +4000
Kansas City Royals +8000
Visit Sportsbook.com today to get in your favorite picks to win the 2009 World Series, and while you are at it, take a look at the dreamers that could reward you with a handsome return.
