(9/29/2011) Updated ODDS TO WIN 2011 WORLD SERIES: The Philadelphia Phillies enter the playoffs still the favorite to win it all at +135 ($100.00 wager would pay back $135.00) and -230 (wager $230.00 to win $100.00) to capture the National League Pennant. The New York Yankees at +350 are the oddsmakers choice to meet Philadelphia in the World Series and +170 to win the American League Pennant. The odds on the other MLB playoff contenders have the Detroit Tigers +500, Texas Rangers +500, Milwaukee Brewers +700, Tampa Bay Rays +1325, St. Louis Cardinals +1400 and Arizona Diamondback +1400.
With Major League Baseball just around the corner, Las Vegas and Offshore Sportsbooks have crowned the Philadelphia Phillies the team to beat at 3-1 ($100 wager pays out $300) to win the World Series. How good are the Phillies coming into the 2011 baseball season? Well, some MLB experts are saying Philadelphia has a legitimate shot to reach the 117 win mark, which would make them the winningest team in baseball regular season history (1906 Chicago Cubs & 2001 Seattle Mariners are tied at 116 wins).
The Phillies despite losing the National League Championship in six games to the San Francisco Giants, has a pitching staff that comes into this season with three Cy Youngawards and 10 top five finishes. It almost sounds like a video game where you pad your pitching rotation with the best in baseball: Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay, Joe Blanton, Cole Hamels with Brad Lidge picking up the slack from the bullpen.
We will look at some potential "value bets" and also a great "longshot" play below, but here are the current 2011 World Series Odds (courtesy of Sports Interaction):
Arizona Diamondbacks +10000
Atlanta Braves +2000
Baltimore Orioles +15000
Boston Red Sox +450
Chicago Cubs +4000
Chicago White Sox +3000
Cincinnati Reds +1800
Cleveland Indians +12500
Colorado Rockies +2000
Detroit Tigers +3300
Florida Marlins +4500
Houston Astros +10000
Kansas City Royals +8000
Los Angeles Angels +2500
Los Angeles Dodgers +3000
Milwaukee Brewers +3000
Minnesota Twins +1600
New York Mets +4500
New York Yankees +550
Oakland Athletics +4000
Philadelphia Phillies +300
Pittsburgh Pirates +17500
San Diego Padres +4000
San Francisco Giants +1300
Seattle Mariners +9000
St. Louis Cardinals +2000
Tampa Bay Rays +1800
Texas Rangers +1800
Toronto Blue Jays +4000
Washington Nationals +8000
Most Overvalued: New York Yankees at 5.5-1
Reasoning: 5.5-1? Realy? We doubt the New York Yankees will even make the playoffs.That 5.5-1 I think might be based off protecting New York bookmakers (kidding). The Yankess are the Notre Dame of baseball. Public perception and larget market of fans will always take away any value from playing them most of the time. If anything, due to the Yankees being inflated we are getting some great value on the Boston Red Sox at 4.5-1.
Most Value: San Francisco Giants at 13-1
Reasoning: First off, we believe the Giants should be 8-1 at best to win it all. Bookmaker, who many consider the sharpest sportsbook in the world is currently offering San Francisco at 8.3-1. Toss in the Giant's ace Tim Lincecum owned two of the Phillies aces, we think there is great value on taking San Francisco at 13-1. Also, keep an eye out for Matt Cain, who our sources believe has potential Cy Young written all over him.
World Series Longshot: Atlanta Braves at 20-1
Reasoning: If the Braves would have drawn any team except the Giants last season, there is a good chance they would have been the ones playing in the World Series. In 2010, the Braves pitching staff ended the season with the 3rd best ERA in all of MLB. We look at this staff and feel a repeat if not a better performance is likely. Unlike the past when Atlanta seemed to be only pitching, do not be surprised to see the their bats come alive this season.
Community Feedback:
Yes, the Philadelphia Phillies look "amazing" on paper, but having money sit locked up all season on a 3-1 favorite is not very appealing. Toss in the history that winning 70% of your games does not equate to winning the world series (5-4 in MLB history), who are some better "value" and "longshot" selections?