Medlen was only 2nd to Clayton Kershaw for ERA in the NL since mid 2012. Unfortunately for the RHP, he is on his way for a 2nd Tommy John Surgery recovery. Medlen injured himself earlier this week in Spring Training. He was projected to be Atlanta’s #1 Starting Pitcher,

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

The theme of the week is Tommy John Surgery . It has affected the Athletics, Braves and Diamondbacks on the odds board all over.

Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen moved the line for the Braves from a +120 Mark to +140.  Arizona went from +650 to +700 on the heels of Patrick Corbin being lost.

The Athletics have 60% of their rosters on injury watch.  Jarrod Parker is gone for the 2014 year because of a torn UCL.  A.J. Griffin has a UCL strain – and Scott Kazmir has triceps soreness.

The A’s wrapped up their 16th AL West Title in 46 years since moving to Oakland last year. They have clinched the Division at home the last 2 years. It is even more impressive when they have been 29th and 27th in team payroll respectively. It is too bad the club is experiencing so many early season injuries. Still don’t pick them for the AL West win, since the Rangers are slated lower than the A’s for Over/Unders at 87 in TEX, vs OAK – 88.5 suggests the A’s bay area club should be the favorite.  Pick the Rangers with these new found injuries.  It has leveled the playing field for the two top favorites – with being missing key starters in the Rotation to start the campaign,

This has caused them to go to +200, from +190 just a few weeks back.

This also affected the Nationals from a -120, to a bigger favorite of the -140.  If you listened to me last time I posted this column 3 weeks ago, Washington was one of my sure fire picks.

Of course, I also had that crazy oddity for betting the Rays last week.  Back 3 weeks ago, I had them as a best bet, when they were at +290 to win the AL East.

Since that time, they have jumped to +250 now.  Still a decent price, yet again how are they 3rd favorite winner in the Division (cue in the broken record.).

In the Over/Under, Boston and Tampa are both listed as 88 for the year and the Yankees are at 87.  Yet the odds to win the Division go 1. BOS, 2. NYY and 3. TB.

Odds To Win The 2014 Divisions

AL East

Boston Red Sox +190

NY Yankees +240 (Down from +220)

The Rays closed the gap, both teams are about right, but Boston should be near the Rays and Yankees.

Tampa Bay Rays +250 (Up From +290)

Public sentiment is growing into bets for the team that has made the playoffs 4 of the last 6 years.

Toronto Blue Jays +800 (Down from +740)

Jays with brutal back end of the rotation, and Rays gained steam on the Orioles and Canadian franchise.

Baltimore Orioles +800 (Down from +800)

AL Central

Detroit Tigers -275 (Up from -270)

Not a good odd at all.  Jose Iglesias and Andy Dirks out with injury.  Still a good division to win.

Kansas City Royals +450

Cleveland Indians +600

Chicago White Sox +1500

Minnesota Twins +3300

AL West

Texas Rangers +175

Oakland Athletics +200 (Down from +190)

LA Angels +200 (Up From +220)

With Oakland injuries, tied the A’s, but where is Josh Hamilton’s health at?

Seattle Mariners +800 Down From (+700)

Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker hurt, Jack Z.  needs to sign another offensive player.

Houston Astros +12500

NL East

Washington Nationals -140 (Up From -120)

Atlanta Braves +140 (Down from +120)

Philadelphia Phillies +1100 (Down From +900)

Jimmy Rollins hitting the media for sympathy and not the baseball.

NY Mets +2500 (Up From +2800)

Still not going to win the East.

Miami Marlins +4000

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals -175

Cincinnati Reds +350

Pittsburgh Pirates +400

Milwaukee Brewers +1500

Biggest news out of camp is K-Rod stepping on a cactus!

Chicago Cubs +3500

NL West

LA Dodgers -275

SF Giants +450

Arizona D’backs +700 (Down From +650)

San Diego Padres +1700 (Up From +2200)

Colorado Rockies +1800

The Padres have not made the playoffs since 2006, and have only authored 2 winning seasons in the last 7 years. It is not from a lack of the coach, rather the NL West has far superior talent, while the San Diego franchise has been trying to replenish the farm, went through an ownership change, and now the team needs to make some decisions this offseason, that will shape the fortunes of the club for the next several years. How does this team jump from +2200 to +1700 in such a small time in the NL West. Someone put a lot of cabbage on San Diego. I think the Pad squad are in the mid 60’s wins range, stay away from this longshot.

odds brought to you by www.bet365.com

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

 *** 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.

If you want to listen to the 2014 MLB Preview Show for all predictions, we have it below.

Here is the 2 And A Hook Audio Podcast Presentation Play Button  (Running time about 2 hours, Chuck – Booth enters 15 Minutes in, ARI/LAD opening series 15 minute mark.  Predictions 16 minute – 112 minute mark.)

Download this podcast to your favorite listening device by clicking here, and looking for the blue download button in the playbox at the http://www.benchwarmers.podomatic.com

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

Like us on Facebook here