World Series Odds: Scouting the Teams in the American League

Major League Baseball’s regular season is winding down and the playoff teams are getting ready for the postseason.

BetPhoenix has the latest odds for the MLB playoffs and the World Series. During the playoffs, any team can surprise and make it to the World Series, but it takes solid pitching, great hitting, and a little bit of luck to bring home the trophy.

Here is a look at the teams in the American League and their chances to win a World Series.

Texas Rangers

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BALTIMORE - AUGUST 22: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with Josh Hamilton #32 and Julio Borbon #29 after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on August 22, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Texas Rangers

Odds to win at BetPhoenix: 10 to 1

The Texas Rangers are the newcomer to the playoffs, and have a very long history of playoff futility.

They are one of only three current MLB franchises which have yet to appear in the World Series, and the only current MLB franchise which has yet to win a playoff series. They have never won a home playoff game, and have won just once in the playoffs, and that was a road game in New York.

The Rangers are the underdog coming into the playoffs and will have to see the status of All-Star Josh Hamilton will be, as he is currently ailing from broken ribs. If he is not able to play in the postseason, it could be another quick exit for the underdog Rangers.

Minnesota Twins

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - AUGUST 27: Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins hits an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on August 27, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Twins defeated the Mariners 6-3. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Minnesota Twins

Odds to win at BetPhoenix: 7 to 1

Minnesota seems to make the playoffs every year, and they only have one real big name on the team, and that is All-Star catcher Joe Mauer.It may come as a surprise to most baseball fans that the Twins are in the race for the best record in baseball.

The Twins win ballgames with a combination of outstanding starting pitching and role players doing their part. Carl Pavano has been a pitching surprise for the Twins, has 17 wins on the season, and joins five other pitchers that have double-digit wins for the Twins rotation.

It is that kind of pitching that will make the Twins a deadly team to contend with in the playoffs. Don’t think that the Twins are just about pitching however—it may surprise some people to find out that the Twins are first in all of baseball in team batting average with a .277 average.

The Twins have one of the best home records in all of baseball, and are a sleeper to win the World Series.

Tampa Bay Rays

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: David Price #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch in the first-inning against the New York Yankees on September 23, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Rays

Odds to win at BetPhoenix: 4.5 to 1

The Rays have spent all year in a battle with the New York Yankees to decide the best team in the regular season.

The Rays are a tough team to beat and win ball game with a combination of youth and dominating pitching. David Price is the ace of the staff and leads the team in wins and earned run average. The Rays boast five pitchers with double-digit wins and are third in all of baseball in the win category.

The Rays are also a speedy bunch and can swipe a base with nearly any player on the roaster. They lead the league in stolen bases and have the ability to turn a single into a triple with the speed that they possess.

The Rays are not to be over looked heading into the postseason, and have a very good chance of winning the World Series in 2010.

New York Yankees

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 23, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

New York Yankees

Odds to win at BetPhoenix: 2 to 1

The Yankees have been in a duel all season long with Tamp Bay for the best record in baseball.

With the veterans and explosive lineup, the Yankees are the front-runner to win a ring out of the American League.  C.C. Sabathia is the ace of the staff, and leads the team in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average.

Phil Hughes has had a very productive season, and will provide a reliable starting pitching staff for the Yankees in the postseason. The lineup has plenty of power and is anchored by Alex Rodriquez and Mark Teixeira. With the leadership of Derek Jeter, and the best closer in baseball in Mariano Rivera, the Yankees are primed for another run at a championship ring.

Scouting the National League

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews, and predictions. Feel Free to contact Matt at [e-mail]