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2008 MLB
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2008 American League West Odds & 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 he 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.
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.
Updated February 25th, 2008
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