Baseball Handicapper Predicts American League Contenders

Baseball expert and Shea Matthews, handicapper for ScoresOddsPicks on OffshoreInsiders.com previews the American League.

Yesterday, I gave you MLB betting sharps a first look at my top picks, favorite sleepers and scariest busts in the race for the National League pennant. Today, it’s time for the Junior Circuit. Here are the American League MLB futures picks on my radar.

ELITE

New York Yankees

Odds to win: +233

Bodog, like about every other book in the world, is being awfully generous by only making the Bronx Bombers +233 favorites to win the AL. The Yankees have almost every key piece of their 2009 championship roster intact – from A-Rod to Mark Teixeira to C.C. Sabathia to Mariano Rivera – and even made a few improvements. Never resting on their laurels, they brought Javier Vazquez back to round out the rotation and Curtis Granderson to improve the defence and swing for the short porch in right field.

Boston Red Sox

Odds to win: +333

The Red Sox couldn’t stand seeing the Yankees win it all and Theo Epstein worked hard this offseason. With Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutaro joining the mix, the Red Sox now have great defense to join the powerful offense. They can also match arms with any team in the American League, so they’re solid picks to challenge for the AL crown.

CONTENDERS

Minnesota Twins

Odds to win: +850

Careful here. The Twins are a legitimately good baseball team, so I can’t label them a bust. But +850 doesn’t seem like good value for a club with so many question marks. Minnesota has quietly built one of the AL’s better offenses around Joe Mauer and should score plenty of runs again this season. But it will need at least one of Kevin Slowey and Francisco Liriano to stay healthy and/or effective on the mound. We also can’t underestimate the impact of Joe Nathan’s absence.

Los Angeles Angels

Odds to win: +1000

Every year, we assume their reign in the AL West is over and, every year, they prove us wrong. 2010 may be no different. With Kendry Morales, Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu and more, they still have plenty of tough outs. Their pitching staff remains fairly strong with proven vets like Scott Kazmir, Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders holding the fort.

SLEEPERS

Chicago White Sox

Odds to win: +1000

The Twins and Tigers seem to get more fanfare these days but the White Sox could sneak up on everyone this season and sports betting players should take notice. Chicago has a deep pitching staff; consider that No. 4 starter Mark Buehrle has two no-hitters to his name. It also has some interesting reclamation projects on offense, such as Alex Rios, to join an already-solid lineup.

Tampa Bay Rays

Odds to win: +1000

Some bettors believe 2009 marked Tampa’s “return to Earth” and that 2008 was a fluke. I disagree. The Rays still have an immense array of young talent, led by Evan Longoria. They also have some dynamite arms ready to make an impact at the major-league level: David Price and Wade Davis. They still have what it takes to push the Red Sox, if not the Yankees.

BUSTS

Seattle Mariners

Odds to win: +900

Hey – it’s not that I think the Mariners will flop entirely in 2010. They made major improvements this offseason, adding Cliff Lee, Milton Bradley and Chone Figgins, and their outfield defense is fantastic. But these guys still can’t score enough to compete with Los Angeles. And do you really see Seattle slipping past Boston to grab the Wild Card? Your money is better spent elsewhere.

Texas Rangers

Odds to win: +1300

Texas is the opposite of Seattle. Though they didn’t flourish last season, the Ranger bats should be powerful this year, but I’m not convinced last year’s pitching improvement was for real just yet. Scott Feldman was extremely lucky and young guns Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz look like they need another year of seasoning before Texas really contends.

Free pick: New York Yankees. Bring on the rematch with the Phillies. Like its NL counterpart, New York has an unrivalled blend of potent hitting and power pitching.