As the Detroit Tigers entered spring training down in Lakeland, Fla., not much has changed with the club since losing the 2006 World Series to the Saint Louis Cardinals in five games last October. They are pretty much the same team with few roster moves and perhaps that is why they are 5/1 favorites to win the 2007 World Series, according to mega offshore sportsbook Bodog.com.
The pitching rotation will be identical with youngsters Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander. Then throw in Nate Robertson along with veteran ace Kenny Rogers leading the way. Relievers Joel Zumaya and Todd Jones will provide the one-two punch that devastated opposing American League lineups last season. Accompanying Bonderman is a new $38 contract and a new changeup.
Position players will be the same with big bats, Sean Casey and Magglio Ordonez along with Ivan (Pudge) Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, Carlos Guillen, Brandon Inge, and Placido Polonco filling out the lineup. One major lineup addition will be outfielder Gary Sheffield who defected from Eastern Division rivals New York Yankees. Tiger’s owner Greg Illitch committed $41 million to lure Sheffield to the motor city. It was also known that Sheffield’s relationship with New York Yankees manager Joe Torre had been strained.Â
About the only area where the Tigers roster could use some help is the bullpen where they need a couple of setup men for Zumaya and Jones. Among the candidates are Joey Eischen and Edward Campusano; Felix Heredia, who pitched in 56 games for Leyland's world champion Florida Marlins in 1997; Tim Byrdak; Bobby Seay, the only one of the bunch to have pitched for the Tigers last season; and Virgil Vazquez.
Manager Jim Leyland wants his team to get over the bad taste of losing the World Series last fall and concentrate on 2007. The Tigers manager knows his team can repeat as American League champions and at 5/1 odds they have an excellant chance.
Here is the complete list of the odds to win the 2007 Worlds Series sponsored by Bodog.com
Arizona Diamondbacks: 50/1
Atlanta Braves: 30/1
Baltimore Orioles: 90/1
Boston Red Sox: 9/1
Chicago Cubs: 9/1
Chicago White Sox: 90/1
Cincinnati Reds: 45/1
Cleveland Indians: 20/1
Colorado Rockies: 100/1
Detroit Tigers: 5/1
Florida Marlins: 35/1
Houston Astros: 35/1
Kansas City Royals: 85/1
Los Angeles Angels: 10/1
Los Angeles Dodgers: 15/1
Milwaukee Brewers: 45/1
Minnesota Twins: 22/1
New York Mets: 9/1
New York Yankees: 7/2
Oakland Athletics: 20/1
Philadelphia Phillies: 15/1
Pittsburgh Pirates: 100/1
San Diego Padres: 30/1
San Francisco Giants: 10/1
Seattle Mariners: 100/1
St Louis Cardinals: 9/1
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 200/1
Texas Rangers: 40/1
Toronto Blue Jays: 15/1
Washington Nationals: 150/1
