Bookmaker's Corner: MLB Props and Futures
by Richard Gardner | Bodog Sportsbook Manager - 3/31/2010
Opening Day is just days away and with the Seattle Mariners in San Francisco to play the Giants, and the New York Yankees in Boston to take on the Red Sox, MLB betting fans at Bodog’s online sportsbook are eager to get back on deck – making all the futures and props wagers they can get their hands on before the first pitch of the season is thrown.
To absolutely nobody’s surprise, the Yankees’ odds to win the World Series are getting the most action. The Bronx Bombers are 13/4 favorites to win it all and that’s enough of a payout for many of their loyal fans.
A couple of other American League teams are drawing bettor interest as well. The addition of Jake Peavy to the Chicago White Sox rotation has the South-Siders excited at their 18/1 odds to win it all and the re-signing of Joe Mauers to a long-term deal has Twins fans pumped at their chances (18/1) as well. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers, the only other AL Central team with a legitimate shot at division crown, are well back at 30/1 odds to win the World Series.
Over in the National League, it’s hard to say which team the bettors like this year. Most of the money is spread out, though a few bettors seem to like the Atlanta Braves to win the NL East at +290.
That just might be those stats guys betting. After all, the Braves finished the 2009 season with a plus-94 run differential, which was better than all but five teams in baseball. And over their final 88 contests, they had the best run differential of any team in the majors, so the optimism isn’t unexpected.
A good medium-to-long-shot prop bet that we’ve seen a lot of action on is Josh Hamilton (50/1) to win the home-run race and Derek Jeter to win the 2010 AL MVP (35/1).
And for those who are willing to trade payout for a better chance of winning, there are plenty of bettors who expect Roy Halladay to win the NL Cy Young (5/2). Doc’s been trapped in Toronto for his entire career and you have to think he’s excited at the prospect of pitching for more than just third place in the AL East. Halladay’s a two-time 20-game winner and that was with some pretty mediocre Blue Jays teams.
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