The Rays have one of the 2 best Starting Pitcher staffs in the American league, and have averaged over 90 wins for the last 6 years. Having them to win the American league at +1200 (8th favorite among the clubs) is still a steal.  With an ace like David Price, the emergence of Wil Myers and Chris Archer for a full year, plus the acquisition of Grant Balfour, gives the team more depth and a stronger club than even last year.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

I have scoured this list and have come up with some deep recommendations.  If you are picking an AL team to go to the World Series, you are better off just picking the AL odds, and not going for a World Series win.

Virtually every team has better odds in the AL just to win the American League – as opposed to the World Series.  The Tigers are +500 to win the AL, yet are +900 to capture the World Series.

Based on the top three teams of LAD, WSH and STL likely countering the AL, the World Series is more up in the air. 

For the National League teams, it is a much better wager to just pick the World Series outright.  On these numbers, every time you pick favors the World Series odds compared to just the NL win.

The Tigers are favored to win the AL – and are the 3rd best club to win the World Series behind the Nationals and Dodgers. If you were going to bet this team to win the World Series, picking them to win the AL is a better play. Detroit has the least path of resistance in their Division perhaps than any other club in the Major Leagues. Pick the Motown Boys to just win the AL if they are your team to win.

American League Winner Odds (World Series Odds in Parenthesis)

1.  Detroit Tigers +500 (+900)

2.  Boston Red Sox +550 (+1000)

3.  Texas Rangers +600 (+1100)

4.  New York Yankees +650 (+1200)

5.  Oakland Athletics +800 (+1400)

6.  LA Angels +850 (+1600)

7.  Toronto Blue Jays +1050 (+1800)

8.  Tampa Bay Rays  +1200 (+2000)

9.  Kansas City Royals +1300 (+2500)

T10. Baltimore Orioles +1350 (+2500)

T10. Cleveland Indians +1350 (+2500)

12.  Seattle Mariners +1800 (+3300)

13. Chicago White Sox +2500 (+5000)

14. Minnesota Twins +5000 (+8000)

15. Houston Astros +10000 (+25000)

National League Winner Only (World Series Odd To win)

1.  LA Dodgers +300 (+700)

2.  Washington Nationals +350 (+800)

3.  St. Louis Cardinals +450 (+1000)

4.  Cincinnati Reds +750 (+1500)

5.  Atlanta Braves +800 (+1400)

T6. Pittsburgh Pirates +1300 (+2500)

T6. SF Giants +1300 (+2500)

T8. Milwaukee Brewers +1800 (+3500)

T8. Arizona Diamondbacks +1800 (+3300)

T8. Philadelphia Phillies +1800 (+3500)

11 Colorado Rockies +2800 (+5500)

12. San Diego Padres +3300 (+6600)

T13. Chicago Cubs (+3500) (+6600)

T13. New York Mets +3500 (+8000)

15. Miami Marlins +5000 (+10000)

odds brought to you by www.bet365.com

Please note that it is illegal for US citizens to gamble in most States. 

The Dodgers are not only the favorite to win the National League – but also to win the World Series. If you are wishing to plunk down some cash on these guys, pick them to win the World Series outright. Los Angeles has more than 2 and a third better odd to win the Fall Classic – oppose to their paltry +300 odd to win the Senior Circuit..  The Dodgers are the leaders in the MLB for winning the Title at +700.

 *** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.

Chuck Booth and Larry Lucchino talk baseball in the RF reserved seats at Fenway.

Like us on Facebook here