The Nationals feature 3 potential MVPs and 2 Cy Young Pitchers as their top talent – while the rest of the Division struggles with overcoming roster hauls, rebuilding and tragedy. The Cubs are the expected overwhelming favorite, however they don’t pay nearly enough, and nothing is ever certain in the playoffs. Give me the Nats as the best on the board currently.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)
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If you bet with your mind and not your heart in the last 12 months, than you would have lost on the World Series predictions. I prognosticated in my yearly preseason bets that I thought the Cubs would win the Fall Classic, but profusely hated the odds of +500 to begin the campaign.
I still fully capitalized on my preseason wager of picking the Dodgers at +1500 for $50, along with the Mets and Nationals at +1100 for $50 a piece as well.
That, coupled with my Baltimore Orioles AL pick to win the AL Pennant at 28/1 Odds served to put me into a position to hedge several bets in the playoffs to turn a nice profit. Later in the week we will delve into the websites entire wagers for the whole calendar season.
The reigning champions are also extreme favorites again heading into 2017 – at a +280 clip. I may pick them to win another World Series again in my actual predictions, however those are still horrible odds to throw some cabbage down on.
There is a 6 way tie for second best favorite to win it all in Washington, Boston, Toronto, Houston, AL Pennant winning Cleveland and the LA Dodgers at +1000. I will seriously consider taking the whole lot of those teams (vs the field, with the exception of the Blue Jays), for $100 a crack for a $500 total wager to win $1000 – and effectively double my money. With Edwin Encarnacion Jose Bautista, Michael Saunders and all potentially leaving the country, partnered with a tough AL East to compete in, the Jays are the only team I don’t think is fair value at +1000. I am not saying they are a bad odd either here. Just not putting any money on them yet.
Right behind those tier of clubs are the Rangers at +1100 and the NY Mets at +1200. I am not plunking any money down on Texas with them potentially losing Ian Desmond, Mitch Moreland, Carlos Beltran, Colby Lewis and Carlos Gomez off the playoff Roster they had this season. The jury is still out, and the Andrew Cashner doesn’t change my feeling too much.
Even worse on the board for odds is the Mets, who are a mess at Starting Pitcher – with all of their top chuckers having health issues over the past season. They also may lose Yoenis Cespedes and have already said goodbye to veteran stalwart Bartolo Colon. At +1200, they are the worst value on this weeks board.
Signing Cespedes would not take care of all of New York’s positional roster troubles, and injuries may ultimately ravage them again for the next campaign. Many of the Mets Starters are coming off health concerns in 2016. I am not sold they should be placed at such a valuable odd until they sign some players.
Odds To Win the 2017 World Series
Blue color means best value favorite with odd in parenthesis
Maroon color means worst value with odd in parenthesis
Chicago Cubs +280
Washington Nationals +1000 (1)
One could make the argument that the Nats may improve on their 95 win campaign in 2016 if Bryce Harper has a bounce back year, factored in with Trea Turner playing the whole season and possible emergence of Lucas Giolito. If the New York Mets don’t add some players over the winter, I could honestly see Washington being the only club over .500 in the NL East for 2017.
Boston Red Sox +1000
Toronto Blue Jays +1000
Houston Astros +1000
Cleveland Indians +1000
LA Dodgers +1000
Texas Rangers +1100 (2)
NY Mets +1200 (1)
SF Giants +1600
NY Yankees +1800 (5)
I absolutely hate the odd the Pinstripers have here. Their offense is not that strong – and they have not added anyone yet. This is all based on speculation the Bronx Bombers will be spending some serious money on their roster before 2016 begins. I am going to reserve them as a bad odd until they at least sign one premier Free Agent.
St. Louis Cardinals +2200 (2)
The Cardinals are always on the verge of being contenders for the NL Pennant. Yes they have to contend with the mighty Cubs in their Division, but I could see St. Louis winning the Wild Card Game and then who knows how much they could rally once in. I firmly believe that the Senior Circuit will be a top heavy league once again with the Nats/Cubs/Cards/Giants and Dodgers all being right in the mix.
Seattle Mariners +2200 (3)
If Texas doesn’t replenish their departing talent, their loss could be the M’s gain here. Houston has already improved in their winter season, however their Starting Pitching is a lot more suspect than the Mariners. Buoyed by an awesome middle lineup of Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager should produce a playoff spot soon.
Detroit Tigers +2500 (4)
There is too much talk of trimming payroll – and dealing valuable members of their current squad.
Baltimore Orioles +2500
KC Royals +2800 (5)
The Royals were bitten badly by injuries in 2016 – and still have a pedigree of players all looking for their next contract in Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas. If the Tigers and White Sox go the way of a rebuild, all of a sudden the AL Central opens up to more of a chance for a Division win or playoff Wild Card in a weaker division.
Pittsburgh Pirates +3500
Miami Marlins +5000 (3)
The unfortunate death of Jose Fernandez has left the club void of the pitching it needs to contend.
Chicago White Sox +6000
TB Rays +6600 (4)
A full season back with Alex Cobb, and the young staff should be better with another year from Jake Odorizzi, plus the internal improvement of Blake Snell. It may be worth the long shot I also could foresee that the Jays/Yankees and Orioles may not be as good in 2017 as they were in 2016.
Colorado Rockies +6600
LA Angels +8000
Philadelphia Phillies +10000
Arizona D’Backs +10000
Atlanta Braves +10000
Oakland A’s +12500
Milwaukee Brewers +12500
Minnesota Twins +12500
Cincinnati Reds +15000
SD Padres +15000
ODDS 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/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.
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