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Odds To Win The MLB 2015 World Series + Best Bets
Yu Darvish had exceeded expectations in his 1st 3 seasons with the club. Based on his 6 YRs/$56 MIL contract, he was considered seriously underpaid in the last three years of his contract. Since that value created cash for other deals, the team was able to sign Fielder and Choo last winter, but those two sustained massive injuries in 2014 (along with the RHP – and about 57 others lin 2014) in what was a losing season, Darvish finished 2nd in AL Cy Young Voting with a 2.83 ERA and an AL Leading 277 for the 2013 season, but he has a torn UCL now – and will probably have to go under the knife for Tommy John Surgery, I call this a season ender for the Rangers playoffs chances even before we hit the MLB opener on April.5th. Oddsmakers are on board with what I have said, with the team tied for the 22nd worst odd to win it all this campaign.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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With yesterday’s grim news on the 2015 season of Yu Darvish. I think it is safe to say the Rangers will have a tough campaign this year as well.
It was one thing having all of their top players coming back from injury already, but now you lose one of the true aces left in the American League. This is a doomsday special. I don’t think Yovani Gallardo will take on Darvish’s type of role and thrive. If anything, the Rangers might be able to flip him later in the year.
Jon Daniels should not trade for another pitcher either. This Division is the best in baseball, and if he were to do that, it would be bad money spent. Hopefully Prince Fielder and Shin-soo Choo can have bounce back seasons for you, and at least the future will look up beyond 2015. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The MLB 2015 League Pennants
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Yesterday we went over the World Series Odds. Since I have the Nationals as a heavy favorite, I think the best way to receive a win for any AL clubs, is to bet the team to win the Pennant.
The Angels are listed as the #1 favorite to win the American League at +500. If you like them (even though I wouldn’t wager on them), this is a much better risk, than the +1000 mark for the World Series. If the Dodgers or Nationals are their adversary in the Fall Classic, that is at least a +125 odd for the Halo’s to reel in their 1st Title in 13 years.
Since I love the Mariners more in the AL West, obviously I love the +700 odd they have right now to win the Junior Circuit.
Pulling up the rear in the AL, are the Twins at +5000 to win the Pennant. If you like the Royals to play good in 2015 as well, they are +1200 to win the American League in 2015 on this site, while bet365.com was offering just +1800 for a World Series triumph. That is good value. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The MLB 2015 World Series + Best Bets
One of these years the absolute favorite of the preseason will take the home the World Series. I think 2015 will be that year. I am calling for the last 2 franchises not to make the Fall Classic, end up facing off in this year championship series. That would make it Washington vs Seattle. I believe the Nationals will win that series.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Last year’s opening 3 wagers for the World Series netted us an eventual winner. I plunked almost $14 down on a 25/1 bet for the Giants (and failed with Rangers and Rays bets). Throughout the year, I was able to secure odds of 50/1 and 80/1 for the Royals during down times, and then hedged those bets in the playoffs. It was a thousand dollar profit year for the selections.
In the next few weeks I will finalize the Over/Under Best bets that I put down yesterday. Again, last season I was 3 out of 3 for top Over/Under picks, and will likely pick the same 3 teams (KC and WSH over their opening regular season wins of 81.5 and 93.5, while I picked SD under 84.5) out of the 10 total wagers I go for this campaign).
But this article is about the Fall Classic Winner in 2015. Read the rest of this entry
2015 Regular Season Win Over/Unders In The MLB + Best Bets
What are your best Over/Under Bets for the upcoming 2015 MLB Season? We have selected our top 10.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Over/Unders for the year, based on odds given by http://www.bovada.com sports book
Arizona – 71.5 (over is -115) (under is -115)
I gotta go with the under. San Diego, LA and SF are all much better, and even Colorado is tough on the road. Like them at just around 70 wins. Is a rebuilding year, and they might fetch a heavy ransom if Mark Trumbo can have a bounce back 1st half. 2016 maybe the year the can contend again.
Atlanta – 73.5 (over is -115) (under is -115)
I like the over on this one big time. This club lost a ton of offense, yet I like their run prevention more than ever. Shelby Miller was a great acquisition, and they still have a nasty Bullpen. I am not as bullish on the rest of the NL East as a lot of clubs are too. Wouldn’t call this a best bet, however, like them to win 75 – 77 games. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Farm System Rankings (1 – 30) In 2015
By Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
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1. Chicago Cubs- They are still one of the top systems even with Javier Baez graduating from the list. I love the bats headed by what maybe the top prospect in baseball in Kris Bryant and high end talent in Addisson Russell, Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber and Dan Vogelbach.
They also have upside in Albert Almora, Eloy Jimenez and Jeimer Candelario. The pitching on the farm remains the main concern with a wiry C.J .Edwards, a mid ceiling Paul Blackburn and Pierce Johnson and a very far away Carson Sands.
The best farm system in the league that will see some graduates very soon.
2. Minnesota Twins- Last season was unfortunate for the twins and all of major league baseball as Byron Buxton got injured in spring training and Miguel Sano got TJ surgery.
I believe both of them will bounce back with ease and could be close to the major league level. Pitchers J.O Berrios, Alex Meyer and Kohl Stweart have frontline potential with Meyer possibly a candidate to make the rotation out of spring training.
They took Dee Gordons brother Nick in the first round last year and he can be a complete player. There is upside all over in Lewis Thorpe, Felix Jorge, and 50th overall pick Travis Harrison. A very solid farm that can hopefully bear some fruit this season.
Odds To Win The 2015 World Series (Don’t Bet The Cubs Despite Of Back To The Future 2 Prediction)
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.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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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. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2015 World Series (CWS Best Value Currently)
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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We are back from an extended period of not writing articles here at the MLB Reports to weigh in on the World Series Odds for next campaign.
As we did last year, we will update this as a weekly segment for the next 10 months until the winner is crowned.
I can tell you right now, the favorites based on so-called “winning the offseason” hardly ever pay off. If that were the case, the Yankees would have been crowned last year, with spending $503 MIL on 10 Free Agents, or also the Rangers would have been second with bringing in Prince Fielder and Shin Soo-Choo.
The odds doled out for free wheeling Padres and Cubs are my top two picks to stay clear of wagering with the value currently constituted. There are two teams in a similar view, not given enough credit.
The White Sox are looking decent in the AL Central, and play in the fairest of the Division in the American League, boast a 1 – 2 that can battle you with Chris Sale and Jeff Samardzija, while inking Free Agents Adam LaRoche and David Robertson gives the team nice depth all around,
The ‘Southsiders’ are definitely much improved in every facet heading into 2015., To say the Cubs, with their exuberant youth has more of a chance to win the 2015 title is not justified without seeing them perform on the field yet. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2015 MLB World Series
The combatants of the 2014 World Series (KC vs SF) are tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the 6th best odd to win the 2015 title. I like the odd for the Giants, however I hate it for the Royals.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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There is no time for resting on the winter hotstove, there is however time to sit back and digest the odds of who is going to win next year’s title.
I was surprised to see that the Royals have been giving such a low odd to go back to the Fall Classic and win. They are tied with the Giants/Orioles for the 6th best odd to win a championship.
Hate those odds, just wait until the season starts if you want those teams.
I couldn’t believe the Cubs were rated so high either. Apparently, the oddsmakers think these guys are going to take a quantum leap – or maybe they like the Back to the Future 2 prognostication of the Cubbies winning the World Series.
Looking at the list, I initially think there is fantastic value in every team 12 – 21, except take out the Marlins, Cubs and Mets out of that lot. Read the rest of this entry
The Royals Or O’s Winning The Title Would Be Good And Bad: MLB Payrolls Part 2
Kauffman Stadium was newly renovated about 5 years ago. It is a nice visual display of a ballpark, however it is far being in the top venues in the Majors for earning money. The Royals fans saw the club struggle to finally end a 3 decade long playoff drought this year. It is imperative that the MLB work with ‘cost control’ in the upcoming ‘Collective Bargaining Agreement. Both KC and Baltimore had to endure lengthy stints of losing campaigns, before compiling enough top-level draft picks to compete in their respective divisions. Hopefully other small to mid market teams will not have to be bad for that amount of time in the future to obtain success finally.
Yesterday I addressed the Dodgers potentially winning the World Series in the next few years while bringing more attention to the inequities of the big and small market clubs.
Even with LAD losing today and being eliminated, it doesn’t change the fact they will be playoff contenders for years to come based on their talent level, and super imposed revenue stream to outspend every team in the National League.
I identified the last several lower revenue teams that have had success, and pointed out that it took them big stretches of poor campaigns in order to collect on some good.
This is the biggest reason why baseball needs to adopt a salary cap – in order to leveling off the field.
Kansas City and Baltimore are perfect examples of this. The narrative is great here Franchises that haven’t appeared in the Fall Classic since 1985 and 1983 respectively, when both organization won their last Titles.
The Royals 29 years since that has been tough to stomach. The later George Brett years, the core from the championship had aged or moved on by the time he hung up the cleats.
After the 1994 strike/1995 lockout, the Royals found themselves at the bottom of the division for years. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Interleague Results For The Entire 2014 MLB Season
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The AL have won 13 out of the 17 years for Interleague play. The American League has also won every year since the start of the 2004 year.
1997: NL won 117 – 97 (.547) NL up yearly series 1 – 0
1998: AL won 114 – 110 (.509) Yearly series tied 1 – 1
1999: NL won 135 – 116 (.538) NL up yearly series 2 – 1
2000: AL won 136 – 115 (.542) Yearly series tied 2 – 2
2001: AL won 132 – 120 (.524) AL up yearly series 3 – 2
2002: NL won 129 – 123 ( .512) Yearly series tied 3 – 3
2003: NL won 137 – 115 (.544) NL up yearly series 4 – 3
2004: AL won 127 – 125 (.504) Yearly series tied 4 – 4
2005: AL won 136 – 116 (.540) AL up yearly series 5 – 4
2006: AL won 154 – 98 (.611) AL up yearly series 6 – 4
2007: AL won 137 – 115 (.544) AL up yearly series 7 – 4
2008: AL won 149 – 103 (.591) AL up yearly series 8 – 4
2009: AL won 154 – 98 (.611) AL up yearly series 9 – 4
2010: AL won 138 – 114 (.548) AL up yearly series 10 – 4
2011: AL won 134 – 118 (.532) AL up yearly series 11 – 4
2012: AL won 142 – 110 (.611) AL up yearly series 12 – 4
2013: AL won 154 – 146 (.513) AL up yearly series 13 – 4
2014: AL Won Season Series for the 11th straight campaign – yearly season series AL Up 14 – 4
SUN Sept.28, 2014 Results: NYM 8 HOU 3, 2014 – AL wins season series 163 – 137 (.543)
ALL Time: AL leads the NL 2353 – 2126 (.525)
See Ya All in 2015 for Interleague
CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR JUST SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE 2014 iNTERLEAGUE RESULTS
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series Currently
I am fully expecting the Pirates to lock down the 2nd wild card in the National League. I think 86 wins is the magic #
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Last time I did the Odds to win the World Series was the last time I am doing worst odds this year, and furthermore, I am not touching the best value bets for the next few weeks, until the playoffs begin.
I had a subpar week at 5 – 5, after several red hot weeks. The Cardinals and Orioles took great strides in the wins, while I was wrong in predicting a slight retraction for the Angels and Bucs on the loss side.
The Blue Jays actually have played well in September, but have still fallen in odds because of hot streaks for other clubs.
Kansas City has come back to the pack a little.
I was fully wrong on thinking the Braves would take a run at least a playoff spot.
I forecasted the M’s, Yankees and Brewers to go into a bit of a dry spell. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Another week has passed – and it is time to get serious in our World Series picks.
To start off, I have eliminated 13 teams from the chance to win a World Series. These clubs include: BOS/CWS/MIN/TEX/HOU/PHI/NYM/COL/SD/ARI/CIN/CHC/TB.
Miami is very close to being put on that list. Tampa Bay is 9.5 Games Behind the playoff bar, and simply have too many teams to pass to even qualify for the 2nd Wild Card.
I had yet another wicked week of picking value, going 4 – 1, and only suffering a loss because I picked the Jays to go up in their odds. They were only my 5th favorite on the list.
To my surprise, the Mariners have gone up in the odds, despite being just 3 – 5 in their last 8 games. Oakland finally fell out of the favorites spot for the 1st time in months. I was right on this one too.
I also had the fall of the Brew Crew last week. I did get thwarted on a winning week by the Giants reeling off a 7 – 1 record in their last 8 games.
Kansas City moved up as a favorite as well, but that was a fluke coming off a losing week of baseball. Still I will take the win. They are still tied for 9th in odds with San Francisco.
The Royals have a better chance of winning the AL Central, than the Giants have in catching the Dodgers in the NL West. Having said that, the Giants have taken a nice lead on the 1st position in the Wild Card.
I am still not hot on Milwaukee, and figure them to drop right out of the Central – and fully expect Atlanta to come up for the 2nd Wild Card slot now.
The Cardinals are in great shape to make another September run with Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and I am locking them down as my favorite pick this week for value. KC is #2 on my faves list.
Baltimore should be rated higher for the very reason they own the biggest division lead.
Finally I like the longshot odd for the Blue Jays. Out of the teams outside the periphery of the Wild Card Race, these guys are probably the most capable of stringing a lot of wins if their offense becomes hot.
At +3000, the Braves have a nice payout sitting out there. Yes they can’t score right now, but the Marlins, Phillies and Mets will be the predominant schedule of these guys. and they also play the Nats some more. They could squeak into a playoff spot.
I think the Angels have jumped too much on the favorites side, and may recede towards Oakland in the next few weeks. I am banking on Seattle to drop some more in the Standings.
The Brewers are in a free fall, and have played to below .500 since the start of May.
Finally….The Yankees will be lucky to complete the year at .500 Read the rest of this entry
Current Odds To Win The 2014 MLB Divisions + The Week Ahead For The Contenders
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Based on last week’s 4 – 1 – 1 record for picking the best valued odds on the 6 Divisions, I am sticking with the same teams for value again as nothing has really changed.
My only loss for picking the selections, was that Atlanta dropped from +700 to +1000. I broke even with none of the NL West odds changing.
My AL East pick of the Yankees proved worthy – as they went from +1000 to +800.
My AL Central wager of the week was Cleveland, and they jumped from +2500 to +1800.
The Biggest registered bet was on the Mariners, shaving off a +3500 to a now +2500. This is the only prognostication I actually put real money on down.
It was a clean sweep for me to win on the American League.
I was 1 – 1 – 1 in the National League. My St. Louis to rise as a favorite worked in plotting the week. They are now tied with the Brewers for the odds to win the NL Central.
The Cardinals came up just enough to break me with a .500 record for NL picks.
I have eliminated the Jays and Rays from the Divisional races. Any double digit deficit will result in this automatically for the rest of the campaign.
Current Odds To Win The 2014 MLB Divisions: Betting The Longshots The Only Value Left
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Well its another banner prognostication period for me. Last time we checked on the Divisions, I had the Rays, Angels, Royals, Nationals, Dodgers and Pirates as the best value plays.
I wasn’t expecting Tampa to trade David Price at that point, so I will lose that wager. I also lost the Bucs value pick, even though they were better odds for the most part of the 3 weeks until the losing streak started.
Overall, the Royals jumped from +800 to just +125 as they skyrocketed up the Division – and now have amassed a 2 game lead over Detroit.
The Dodgers actually had some value 3 weeks ago at -225. Hope you put some cabbage on them, because now they are -800.
The same can be said for Baltimore, pole-vaulting from +160 – all the way to -900. They are the biggest favorite in any AL Division.
Washington has played great baseball in the last 21 days, opening up a 6 game lead in the NL East. They blitzed from -190, to now being -1600. That odd is not worth wagering anymore..
Los Angeles (on AL Side) have taken over the lead in the AL West by a half game on Oakland, and are still a +125 underdog, to the A’s -150 mark.
It was still good enough to venture from +175 to +125 now, and make me a 4 – 2 prediction selector for the last 3 weeks in duration. Let’s have it this time around. If I don’t feel a team has a chance at the Division, i will leave them off the lists.
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
Toronto plunged from +1600 – +4500 in one week. Even though they have welcomed back EE back, still not sure about their chances in a ‘growing tough’ AL for playoff spots..
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Another week has passed – and it is time to get serious in our World Series picks.
To start off, I have eliminated 11 teams from the chance to win a World Series. These clubs include: BOS/CWS/MIN/TEX/HOU/PHI/NYM/COL/SD/ARI/CHC.
It was a banner week of predicting teams coming and going for yours truly…As bad value of the week I had Toronto (went from +1600 to +4500) as my worst pick..
San Francisco was 2 on the bad list (went from +1400 – +1800)
Oakland was 3rd on the bad list (went from +375 – +450)
Detroit was 4th on the bad list (went from +500 – +650)
St. Louis was 5th on the bad list (went from +1100 – +1400)
A perfect 5 – 0, with the odds lines going way in reverse. Read the rest of this entry
KC/TOR/SEA/MIA All Trying To Break Long Playoff Droughts: Last Appearances In October For Each Squad
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Kansas City has rolled into the 3 quarter mark with a slim AL Central lead on the Detroit Tigers, and may finally stare down their best chance to make the playoffs since winning the World Series Title.
The Royals playoff futility is the ‘clubhouse leader’ in the MLB by 8 years. The Toronto Blue Jays have not yielded a postseason berth since winning back to back World Series in 1992 and 1993.
Both of these two AL clubs have not made it to October baseball since the 1994 strike (the last 2 remaining clubs).
Toronto starts play today at 63 – 59, and have their best look at the playoffs since the team had Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett back in 2007 – 2008.
The Canadian franchise had more of an excuse for years – competing with the Red Sox and Yankees when the economics 1st went out of whack during these two AL Beast 8 combined Titles, 10 ALCS appearances and all Division Titles but two during the last 20 years (Tampa Bay in 2008, 2010 being the exception. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Another week has passed – and it is time to get serious in our World Series picks.
To start off, I have eliminated 12 teams from the chance to win a World Series. These clubs include: BOS/CWS/MIN/TEX/HOU/MIA/PHI/NYM/COL/SD/ARI/CHC.
Having said this, the Rays season also may be 10 seconds from a toetag. We will see how they fare this week.
Last weeks selections I was 3 – 1 – 1 for the best odds to wager on. The Cardinals moved up slightly, and the Nats made a big move up the list thanks to a Braves 8 game losing streak.
I also won with the Dodgers going from +700 to +600. The only odd I lost was an Angels club going from +1000 – +1000
On the worst odds bets last week I went 3 – 1 – 1. I had the Rays plummeting quickly as my top selection, and I was right on the money, and they plunged from +5000 – to now +10000. I also pegged the Braves bad road trip, and Yankees fall from grace on the value.
The only odd I lost was the A’s going from +400 to now +375. For the record, I still hate the value, and would surely peg the Dodgers as the #1 team (ranked wise) to win the World Series.
LA holds a 3.5 Games lead on the Giants, who are free-falling. The Dodger Blue club will also beat up NL West cupcakes of the Padres, Rockies and D’Backs.
While their +600 is about the right odd, I can’t place them in the best wagers for value. Read the rest of this entry
The Biggest Stretch Of Interleague Has Arrived In the 2014 MLB Season
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Here we go….Starting tonight, there is a season 7 games for Interleague in the next two days, and are several more game lists on the docket for the next 15 days (46 Games in all)..
Highlighted by tonight’s LA Series, the Battle of Ohio, the 2013 World Series, and MLB Trade Deadline dance partners BOS @ STL.
Yes, there also duds on the itinerary, as I am sure there are not too many people pining for a Astros @ Phillies series, or a Padres @ Twins, or even the Royals in the desert to take on the D’Backs,
The one other set of games to pique one’s interest is the Braves stumbling into Safeco Field on a 6 game losing streak – and having the daunting task to face Felix Hernandez this evening.
Good luck fella’s, a high strikeout team, facing the best AL Pitcher, (which is a rarity), and in one of the worst hitting ballparks with Seattle. This could be an ugly night.
The fans could not need air conditioning with the amount of wind generated by bats missing balls. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
The Tigers should be a unanimous choice for the 1 odd to win the World Series. It is only because the A’s have to contend with the Angels, and all NL Divisions are close. I would take Detroit’s rotation and 1 – 9 lineup over Oakland in a series right now, with the A’s possessing a better Bullpen as their only advantage.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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With the trade deadline coming and going, the new odds have been posted to win the “Fall Classic.”
The consensus among bettors is that the Athletics and Tigers by virtue of their trades are the top favorites.
1st off, there is no way the A’s should be rated higher than Detroit. The Angels are just 1 game behind Oakland, which would force them into the Wild Card Game.
The ‘Motown Boys’ hold a 5 game lead on their nearest Division rival Kansas City, therefore should be a heavier rated club.
Detroit has a playoff pedigree of going to three straight ALCS’s, and the A’s haven’t won a playoff series since 2006.
I am not putting down the A’s, the odds are just so low, that it is not worth a wager.
Tampa Bay is also a big longshot. They should be pegged worse than what they are right now. David Price is not on the squad anymore, and the +5000 is based on the run they did when he was on their staff.
The Rays have climbed from +13000 all the way to +5000 in about a 6 week stretch, however this team is more likely to finish around the .500 mark for the rest of the year. Read the rest of this entry
Current Odds To Win The 2014 MLB Divisions
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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With the trade deadline lurking this week, you have to factor this in when you are making bets.
I would be shocked if the Rays trade David Price before July.31, 2014. This team has erased so many deficits since 2008, and they have been the best team in the league for the last 25% of the year.
I would also predict the Royals to add a bat for the last 2 months.
Pittsburgh has a lot of money in their wallets for a few salary dumps even if they have to wait for the non-waiver deadline.
Cincinnati is fading fast and needs to wheel and deal for some replacement help.
St. Louis has never played well without Molina, and while I love the A.J. Pierzynski addition, they must not stay stagnant here.
The Yankees should break the bank on several more trades now that they are going to be Luxury Tax Abusers yet again!
The Braves should do a deal, yet they have been hampered by all of the payroll B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla eat up. Maybe 2014 is not their year.
Current Odds (AL/NL) To Win The MLB League Championships In 2014
The American League has a lot more parity than the National League this year – with about 12 teams in contention for the playoffs, as opposed to about 8 realistic chances for the NL. The Tigers should be the ultimate favorite for this odd with the chance of the Angles catching the A’s, but overall, they accessed decent odds across the board in the junior circuit. The wheelhouse for value is within the middle teams like the Royals, Indians, Rays and Orioles.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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As you will see in the odds at the end of this point, the NL top 5 teams are not worth betting for the League Odds, but rather the World Series.
I alluded to this earlier in the year.
For example, the Dodgers are +700 to win the World Series, but are favored at just +275. This is almost 2.5 times the amount. In essence, you would need the Dodgers to pay +140 in the Fall Classic, to make the same as winning the LCS, than betting them for the WS.
LA would probably be a great matchup versus any of the AL teams, and likely favored against all except for the Tigers. The pitching staff is too strong.
The AL has 3 teams totally eliminated from even thinking about playoffs in my view, with the White Sox on the cusp of the threshold.
Give me the Orioles at +1000 any time, as they may have an easier time winning the AL, than in a World Series matchup.
I also love the value of the Indians and Royals, as both teams are within earshot of the 2nd Wild Card leading Yankees and Blue Jays. and just behind the Mariners.
Like we have discussed so often, the AL Central should have the easiest strength of schedule down the last 60 games or so. Read the rest of this entry
Current 2014 MLB Team Payrolls: Trade Deadline Manuevering
Clayton Kershaw is the highest paid player on the highest payroll of the Majors with the Dodgers. Los Angeles is currently sitting at nearly $240 MIL for total team payroll, and will enter the 2nd year of their Luxury Tax Threshold Penalty, where they will pay a 30% surcharge on any monies spent over $189 MIL. As it stands right now, the club will pay somewhere north of $15 MIL this year. If the Dodgers are in penalty again for 2015, they will pa 40% of any cash over the Threshold. Abusers of the tax for 4 years and beyond pay $50%. With their payroll this year, it would cost Los Angeles over $25 MIL if they were at that limit.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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2014 Team Salaries Rank (In Millions)
1. LAD – $239.8 ( 2nd time abuser – Luxury Tax Penalty at 30% over $189 MIL = $15.24 MIL to be added at the end of the year.) (1st in NLW)
2. NYY – $200.0 ( 4 or more time abuser – Tax Penalty at 50% over $189 MIL for an additional $5.5 MIL to be added at end of the year.) (1st In ALE)
3. PHI – $177.4 (1st in NLE)
4. DET – $163.0 MIL (1st in ALC)
5. BOS – $157.9 (2nd in ALE)
Read the rest of this entry
MLB ALL – Star Break Report Cards – National League
The best letter grade we gave out was to the Milwaukee Brewers, The team pole vaulted out to a fast start, and despite other clubs having a lot more talent than this bunch, young players have emerged for the Brew Crew. Even with recent play, the other teams have had injury trouble while Milwaukee is relatively healthy. Still with 4 clubs within 3.5 games or better in the NL Central, this should be a dogfight to the bitter end.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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Division GBL Letter Grade
NL EAST
T1. WSH 51 – 42: – (C+)
Have dealt with a plethora of injuries to Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, Wilson Ramos, Adam LaRoche and Doug Fister.
Jayson Werth had a nice hot streak right before the end of the 1st half.
The team with limited flaws has just not taken off like it should.
Gio Gonzalez hasn’t found his form yet.
T1. ATL 52 – 43: – (B-)
This team has a nice 14 – 6 stretch to end the 1st half.
When you consider the club has withstood year ending injuries to Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Gavin Floyd.
Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton are making 25% of the team payroll and are posting anemic numbers. The older Upton has done better in the last 10 games.
Evan Gattis and Freddie Freeman have kept the team afloat, and whenever Justin Upton hits, this team wins.
A great patchwork job done by the Starting Pitchers replacements. Aaron Harang and Alex Wood have done spade work.
Still one of the best Bullpens in the game. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Teams Pitching Payroll vs Positional Players Payroll In 2014
The Dodgers are the new kings of spending money on payroll in the MLB. They already spend the most money their Pitching Staff, are the only team well over the $200 MIL mark, and are also creeping up on the New York Yankees for position player spending. With the Bronx Bombers not in a playoff spot currently, the Dodgers may pass the Pinstripers by adding salary to their lineup, or by New York deciding to trade a few players from their position lineup.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
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The LA Dodgers have 5 quality Starting Pitchers, and a bevy of former Closers in their Relief Core.
The boys who play their home games at Chavez Ravine, would fit into the top half of entire team payrolls for the majors with each of their pitching and offense separately.
If the Yankees trade 1 or 2 hitters before the Deadline, or the Dodgers add an offense player to their depth, they will hold the #1 spot in both distinctions.
New York, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, Boston and both of the Los Angeles franchises are in the top 10 in each. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Schedule Week 17: July 21 – 27 (98 Games)
MLB Scheduling 2014
Day + Date Away and Home, Times Start In EST
Week 17
Monday, July.21/2014 (12 Games)
1. Orioles @ Angels 10:05
2. Royals @ White Sox 8:10
3. Dodgers @ Pirates 7:05
4. Marlins @ Braves 7:10
5. Rangers @ Yankees 7:05
6. Giants @ Phillies 7:05
7. Red Sox @ Blue Jays 7:07
8. Reds @ Brewers 8:10
9. Indians @ Twins 8:10
- Nationals @ Rockies 8:40
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Tigers @ D-Backs 9:40 (Interleague)
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Mets @ Mariners 10:10 (Interleague) Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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The record for predicting odds last week was 4 – 3 – 3.
The Rays have kept chipping away at their odds, by having a 4 – 2 week. At +8000 for the World Series, this is still tremendous value. I actually like the +1800 for the division even better.
Baltimore is holding onto a firm grasp of the AL East (4 games over TOR – and 5 Games over NYY), so how the hell do the oddsmakers have the Blue Jays favored slightly more than the O’s.
I will take the win, and leave the Birds as a best pick this week. I was amazed to see the Jays maintained a +1400 clip despite having a pitiful week, and see the injuries continue to rise. Read the rest of this entry
The Latest Odds To Win Each MLB Division In 2014 With Full Analysis
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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AMERICAN LEAGUE
AL EAST
Analysis: Last month I had the Orioles as my favorite for the Division at +650, and now they are at +130.
With recent injuries to several Blue Jays and Yankees key personnel, and the continued struggles of Tampa Bay and Boston, this is a no-brainer.
Baltimore has a 3 game lead on Toronto and a 4 game lead on the Bronx Bombers.
With the Bronx Bombers missing 4/5ths of their rotation, I actually believe the Rays are in better position to win the AL East. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
The Rays are not strangers to being out of the playoff picture by 9 or 10 games at this point in the season.- and ultimately qualifying for a spot with a huge run in the 2nd half of the year. At 100/1 Odds right now, you can pick them for a massive value wager. Put 10 bucks on them, and then bet against them tonight for a wager of $12, taking Jason Vargas and KC at – 113. If they lose tonight, you are up about 60 cents, and still have the bet for the whole year. Keep betting like this all week, bet to win $10 a night versus them. If this team goes 4 – 1 or 5 – 0 for the rest of the week, they are in the hunt.- and you may be down $30 – $40, but the worth is still there for the World Series odd, and the team could be kept together with a run. 3 – 2 is still okay. If the club goes 2 – 3 or worse, they may heat up the David Price chatter over the All – Star break.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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It was a 4 – 4 – 2 predicting record for the week, however I nailed the top bet and worst bet on the board. The Reds continue to battle in the NL Central, and now have gone up to +3500. Currently they are tied with Pittsburgh and for 14th best odd.
I think the value is right about where it should be.
Crazy enough on the Brewers, they are now the 10th favored team to win the WS- while the Cards have shot up to 7th on the board. This despite the Brew Crew still possessing a 4 game lead on the Red Birds.
Weird enough, I won the Boston Red Sox value pick, even though they are plummeting down the standings faster than any other AL East team. They have no business being 17th on the list.
If you are a believer in the Rays making a comeback like they seem to do every year. they are at 1000/1 to win the Fall Classic. They will be my best value play for the year.
Another absurd notion is that the Orioles are +2000, while the Blue Jays sit at +1400 now to win the World Series. Talking about no pulse for what is happening. Encarnacion is hurt, Baltimore has a 3 game lead, and expect a big 2nd half from Chris Davis. Read the rest of this entry
30 MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 15 – 2014
The Atlanta Braves were hovering around .500, and in serious jeopardy of watching the Nationals blow by them with a healthy roster. Instead, they are the biggest mover of the week, riding a 9 game win streak. All of this coming on the heels of losing Evan Gattis for awhile.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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*** Denotes Division Leaders
Records are before play Thursday July.06, 2014
RK Team Last Wk Rnk () Current Rec – Last 10 Days Rec
1. ***Oakland A’s (1) 54 – 33: 6 – 3 The A’s are the only team that has an above .600 Win Percentage.
What is not to like. They have the best record since 2012, are even better over the last 2 years (July 2012, July 2014, about .615 Baseball), have won 2 AL West in a row as well.
Added to the fold is a great trade bringing in Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, and not yielding anything from the current MLB Roster in return.
2. ***Detroit Tigers (2) 48 – 36: 6 – 4: Tigers beat the better teams, and have troubles with the lesserlites.
Emergence of J.D. Martinez is a major bonus for a team starving for OF help. Still need more Bullpen arms.
Great division for opponents down the 2nd half. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
I Have hammered this point to a fault, and sound like a broken record, but look at the proof. The Cincinnati squad has reeled off 4 wins in a row, 7 out of 10, and have climbed within a game of the playoff bar. With a winning pedigree over the last several years, how are they tied for 16th only in odds to win the World Series with Boston? Give me the Redlegs any day with their 42 – 38. and a healthy team for the 1st time all year, and many ALL – Star toting the uniforms. I nailed the odd when it was +6600, so I am definitely on the bandwagon for a hot team, that is still paying great value. If they make poststeason, you can extensively hedge if need be with starting base that high.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
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So I have finally had a sub-par week for predicting World Series Odds. My worst selection was putting faith in the Royals, only to see them jump from +2500 – +3300, and the Red Sox plunged a +700 mark to +4000 from +3300.
It was somewhat diffused by picks for Baltimore to shoot upwards as a favorite, and I am still miffed at the Reds receiving no love at all.
Cincy has won 4 in a row and 7 – 10, and are climbing heavily into the Wild Card Race with the Dodgers and Cardinals.
With how fast the Giants are coming back to LA in the NL west, it may be these three teams fighting it out for 2 berths, with the loser of the Nats/Braves division, SF, and the Bucs still right in the loop.
Right now the oldest professional baseball team is playing some great baseball, have a fully healthy squad for the first time all season, and we are talking about a club who has made the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 years.
Billy Hamilton has batting over .300 since the end of April, and now Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce are coming around, and it is only a matter of time before Joey Votto gets right.
Todd Frazier has been one of the best baseball players in the NL this campaign, and is currently tied for 3rd in NL HRs.
Devin Mesoraco is almost averaging an RBI per game, and is slugging .627 as a Catcher, with 14 HRs and 40 RBI in 47 Games Played.
Aroldis Chapman is lighting the lamp with 100 MPH. Jonathan Broxton is filthy. and the Starters are throwing the ball.
This is not the same team that started 3 – 8. Look the hell out in the 2nd half. Certainly they should not be tied for the 16th favorite on the odds board. Read the rest of this entry
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