2008 AL West MLB Picks & Predictions

Jimmy Boyd takes a look at the 2008 odds to win the AL West in this article. Without question, the smallest division in baseball is also the weakest. The Los Angeles Angels did the most offseason wheeling and dealing in the West. Find out if Jimmy thinks it will pay off for the Halos with his MLB predictions.

1st Place – Los Angeles Angels

The Angels were already the cream of the crop in the AL West with the best pitching staff in the division and they should be even stronger in 2008. LA adds more pop to the middle of the order with Torii Hunter coming over from Minnesota. They stole another AL Central talent in Jon Garland to shore up the pitching staff. I don’t expect second place to be anywhere close to the Halos and the odds that the oddsmakers have set reflect that. The Angels are a terrible value bet, but it will take a serious case of the injury bug for them not to cash futures bets. Bet the Angels to win the AL West at 2/5 odds at BetUS.

2nd Place – Seattle Mariners

Seattle thinks it’s ready to compete for a division title after an 88 win campaign. I look at the loss Jose Guillen and ask how? This is a team already giving up too much in the power department. As far as the starting rotation goes, Felix Hernandez appears to have the talent but has not been able to put it all together yet. The only think the M’s might have on the Angels is a better pen, but it won’t be enough. If you think Seattle has what it takes to with the West, bet the M’s showing better value at 7/4 odds.

3rd Place – Texas Rangers

Oddsmakers feel the A’s will be the third place team in this division, but I beg to differ. Starting pitchers Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla are coming off terrible seasons and I expect bounce back years out of both. The Rangers have a bunch of young talent which could turn a corner sooner than expected the way that Colorado and Arizona did in the NL West. Look for Centerfielder Josh Hamilton to emerge as one of the best players in the division. If you think the Rangers could be ahead of the curve in 2008, take them to win the West at 10/1 odds.

4th Place – Oakland A’s

The A’s are starting from scratch and that means a trip to the AL West basement this season. By dealing away one of their best hitters in Nick Swisher and handing over ace Dan Haren, Oakland has told the world that it is going into rebuilding mode. Veterans Eric Chavez and Bobby Crosby remain to help mold the young talent, but this rebuilding project is likely on a five-year plan. The A’s are listed at 7/1 odds to win the West.

This year sign up for the MLB picks offered by our handicappers to win more with your baseball betting. There aren’t a group of experts who spend more time going over the MLB lines each day like our guys do.

Get baseball picks this summer and win more money!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• Colorado at West Virginia Football Picks & Predictions
• 2009 NFC West Predictions
• South Florida v. West Virginia Football Picks & Predictions

Comments