Betting breakdown and preview for the American League, MLB Divisions.
The All-Star break is over boys and it is time to get back up on that saddle and finish this thing called the 2024 season. There are MLB divisions in interesting places as far as standings go. If you look at just the betting odds you would think most of these divisions are already decided.
Well, as the old saying goes, that is why they play the game!
MLB Divisions – American League
AL EAST
At first glance and if you listen to the guys on the television and radio you would think that this is a two horse race between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.
Mathematically, this is still any bodies division, with the last place team only being 14 games back. Yet, I agree, not too many people should be holding their breathe for the Blue Jays or the Rays to do anything out side of a run at a wild card spot.
There is one team I haven’t mentioned yet in this article that I believe at the price, you just cannot ignore. The Boston Red Sox are only 3.5 games back from the second place Yankees and only 4.5 games back from first place Baltimore.
The O’s are priced at +105 while the Yankees have the slight bump due to the pinstripes more than anything else on the field at -115. That Boston team I told you about being 4.5 games behind, they are priced at +3000. You might be luckier throwing darts in the dark, but only 4.5 games back and getting hot at the right time, this Red Sox team has the talent to compete.
AL CENTRAL
This division is a little looser as far as the gap between the first place Guardians and the last place White Sox, 32.5 games to be exact.
That doesn’t mean that this division is wrapped up just yet. The first place Cleveland Guardians only hold a 4.5 game lead over the second place Twins, and a 7 game lead of the Kansas City Royals. Oh yeah, and the Tigers are only 12 games back themselves, technically.
The Guardians have been the best team in this division so far this season. With the likes of the Twins and Royals taking turns trying to catch up.
As boring as it sounds, I think any team other than Cleveland will be fighting for second place in the division, and hoping that a Wild Card spot has their name on it. Guardians are the favorite laying -165.
AL WEST
This division is a little more intriguing, for a number of reasons. You have the up and coming youngsters in the Seattle Mariners holding the number one spot for most of the first half of the season.
You have the reigning World Series Champions in the Texas Rangers, who show flashes of repeating. While at the same time are begging to get healthy.
Then you have the dynasty that is the Houston Astros finally getting healthy and making a real run. Horrible start out the gate, yet one of the best teams over the last 60 game stretch.
Oh yeah, and the Angels and Athletics are there too.
The Mariners only have a one game lead over the Astros and are favored to win the division. I have been betting the Astros at plus money for the last month. I got a feeling we are one good week away from Houston being back to -200 or higher.
Mariners with a one game lead are laying -125 right now, while the Astros are on the plus side at +120. Earlier this month I locked in a +165 and a +140 on the Astros.
The Rangers are only 5 games back and sitting at a pretty betting number, +800. Yet, I would be putting as money as my mother or wife allowed on the Astros. Who year in and year out prove to be the best team in this division.
Look for MLB Divisions, National League.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports.You can follow him onthe X via @RowanDonaghey
Follow Stare Down Sports on the X for all of the latest news and updates @StareDownSports
Leave a Reply