Max Scherzer now is in the front of the best Starting Rotation in the National League in some time. His signing has made the Nationals the leading favorite to win the 2015 World Series This would mean the Expos/Nats franchise would make and win their 1st Fall Classic since Montreal joined the Major Leagues in 1969. Only their franchise and the Mariners have yet to make an appearance in the World Series.

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Max Scherzer has tipped the scale to the Nats being the World Series favorite, whereas we left them in December, with them being tied with the Dodgers as the lowest odds to win the Fall Classic in 2015.

Not only did he affect his new team, he affected his old team of the Tigers to drop from +950 to +1100 now.  The Mets also dipped from +3300 to +3500 on the news yesterday.

There is no doubt the Nationals are the best team in the National League now, and could very well improve on their 2014 win total of 96.  Look for them to continuously punch the Phillies in the neck this year, and should beat up the Atlanta Braves pretty well across the board too.

There is no doubt in my mind this should be Washington’s season to go to the dance.  I don’t think the Dodgers are as strong with their offense losing Dee Gordon and Hanley Ramirez, while adding Joc Pederson potentially, and stalwart 2B Howie Kendrick.

The Cardinals best 3 players of Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday are another year older, and one of these years someone will take them out in the playoffs.  When you add in all 5 NL Central teams being competitive, it could beat them up over the regular season a little,

After all, it also an odd year, do don’t expect the Giants to make the Post Season.  But seriously, San Francisco has lost Pablo Sandoval and Michael Morse, while adding Nori Aoki and Casey McGehee.  I can’t see this being an upgrade at all.  Don’t forget the club also will not have Ryan Vogelsong either, while there are massive question marks surrounding the health of Matt Cain and pitching effectiveness of Tim Lincecum.

Tim Hudson is another year older, and Jake Peavy looked like he was hanging from a thread to finish the playoffs.

Washington has the best Starting Pitching Rotation – and no real holes in their batting lineup either. It is now just about putting a solid Bullpen together. Then again, the Cardinals and Dodgers do not have great Relief Core’s either. Nor do the Detroit Tigers, who are the not the favorite to come out of the AL as of right now. That distinction belongs to the Angels at +900, 3rd behind the Nationals and Dodgers.

This should be the Nationals year.  One of these campaigns, the team making a big offseason will win the World Series.  It hasn’t happened since the Yankees did it in 2009, after spending almost a half-billion on Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett the previous winter.

Washington has so much pitching, and a breakout should be coming for Bryce Harper.  Also, you have to think that Ian Desmond, Jordan Zimmermann, Denard Span and Doug Fister will all perform greatly in walk years of their contracts.  This club may also pull of a huge trade with one of their extra starting pitchers.

Would love to see the Tigers end up facing the Nationals in the last round of 2015.  By the way. Detroit at +1100 is about the best odd it will be all year.  I might throw some cash down on them.

I really don’t like too many of the other odds for value this time around.  Odds I hate are the Cubs at +2000. Royals at +1600, and Braves at +2800.

I still kind of like the White Sox at +2800, considering they at least have a 1 – 2 Starting Pitching staff they could be dominant.

Just because the film Back to the Future Part 2 told us the Cubs will win the World Series in 2015, doesn’t mean we have to listen to them. Although, the franchise is certainly turning the corner, and are closer to competing than they have in the last half-dozen years.  The odds are not good to plunk any money down on them right now.  Wait until April is over, and they are 10 – 13, and call up Kris Bryant, before you place any cabbage on the North Side of Chicago.

Odds To Win The 2015 World Series.

1. Washington Nationals +600

2. LA Dodgers +700

3.  Los Angeles Angels +900

4.  Detroit Tigers +1100

5.  St. Louis Cardinals +1200

6.  Boston Red Sox +1400

T7. San Francisco Giants +1600

T7. KC Royals +1600

9.  Seattle Mariners +1800

T10. Chicago Cubs +2000

T10. Pittsburgh Pirates +2000

T10. Baltimore Orioles +2000

T10. Toronto Blue Jays +2000

14.   Oakland A’s +2200

15. Cleveland Indians +2500

T16. Atlanta Braves +2800

T16. NY Yankees +2800

T18. Chicago White Sox +2800

T19.  SD Padres +3300

T19.  Miami Marlins +3300

T19.  Cincinnati Reds +3300

T19.  Milwaukee Brewers +3300

23 NY Mets +3500

24.  Texas Rangers +4000

25  TB Rays +5000

26.  Houston Astros +8000

27.  Minnesota Twins +10000

28.  Arizona D’Backs +12500

T29.  Philadelphia Philies +1500o

T29. Colorado Rockies +15000

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Odds are courtesy of www.bet365.com

*** 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***

A Big thanks goes out to our chief writer Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s feature post.

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