As the 2009 MLB season opens, you can’t help but give the futures market one more look. This 162-game, 30-team, seven-month drama is just about impossible to predict. That would explain the fact that although the Yanks have been the favorites to win it all every year in this century, they have finished out of the running each time. Here’s how it looks as far as futures wagering goes.
Favorites
The New York Yankees continue to top the favorites list. They come in at 5-1, which is certainly a bit better than the Boston Red Sox who stand at 11-2. The Chicago Cubs stand at 8-1. Yes, they do have a decent chance and I do believe their karma is about to turn around. The New York Mets are also listed at 8-1. The Mets should be there, but I just don’t think they will be there in the end.
In this group I like the Red Sox or Cubs because of trends, chemistry, managers and rosters.
Have a Shot
Interesting, but the two teams that appeared in the World Series last year are not favored this year. Last year’s AL champs, the Tampa Bay Rays, are at 18-1, and last year’s world champs, the Philadelphia Phillies, are 15-1. The 14-1 Los Angeles Dodgers and 12-1 Los Angeles Angels, apparently, have a better shot. Maybe it’s a West Coast thing? I don’t get it? Neither the Dodgers nor the Angels look formidable to me.
The Diamondbacks stand at 18-1, which I think is kind of generous. I think too putting the Tribe at 20-1 is a bad bet and the Cardinals at 20-1, Tigers at 25-1 and Braves at 22-1 are also not worth the bother. The Minnesota Twins have gotten a low rating at 24-1.
I’d take the Phillies or Twins in this group. Both have a decent shot of making it into the post-season and getting to the final series. Also, call me a dreamer, but I do believe that they Rays can do it again. Their biggest obstacle looks to be the two powerhouses in their division.
Forget-About-It
According the experts, the rest of the clubs are dead meat. And they certainly look to be. These teams range from the 30-1 Oakland Athletics to the 175-1 Baltimore Orioles. Does any team have a chance in this group? If I were picking a club that doesn’t seem to have the stuff but just might be the Tigers or Rays of 2009, I’d go with the top-hitting Texas Rangers at 60-1 or the fairly well positioned Florida Marlins at 50-1. That’s if you’re going to choose a team that does not seem destined to be in the playoffs.
Final Word
This is who I like to take the AL and NL pennants and the World Series.
The top four in the AL for me are:
Boston Red Sox
They have a fine pitching staff, plenty of hitting, lots of guts and a solid front office. Still, they have to contend with the Yanks and a division that’s becoming more competitive.
New York Yankees
Great pitching staff and the hitting looks good too. The Yanks are aging in the field and that chemistry thing seems to have eluded them once again. Major improvements in the pitching staff and at first will help. Manager Girardi is no Torre.
Los Angeles Angels
Once again, this is an excellent rotation and solid bullpen. The hitting is good and the manager is seasoned and smart. The Angels need to stay healthy and that’s certainly a worry.
Minnesota Twins
This is a team that is always in the mix and for that reason alone can be dangerous. They have a solid and deep rotation and a fine stable of hitters. Manager Ron Gardenhire knows his stuff and the front office is active.
The top four NL clubs are:
Chicago Cubs
Manager Lou Pinella is a scrapper and fighter and knows how to manage this team. The team can hit the label off the ball and the rotation is excellent. They’ve been amazingly consistent over the last few seasons. It certainly could be their year.
Philadelphia Phillies
They have the best closer in baseball. And their pitching staff can keep games close. The Phillies possess power, clutch hitting and speed on the base paths. Manager Charlie Manuel is a motivational expert and new GM Ruben Amaro, Jr is set to go, having apprenticed as the team’s assistant GM for three years.
New York Mets
This club has some of the finest pitchers in the majors and the addition of mega closer K-Rod should be a huge help in those close games, especially as October draws near. New skipper Jerry Manuel lets little phase him, which is good. GM Minaya has given this club every chance to win.
Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s hard to discount any team that has Joe Torre at the helm. They’ve lost some good hurlers but managed to create a solid rotation at the top. Hitter Manny Ramirez stayed and that will help produce runs. However, this is the weakest of the four NL clubs. The bullpen is uncertain.
That’s my take on MLB futures. Looking at the calendar it appears that the future is now as tonight is Opening Night. Enjoy the season. I hope your team’s holding the big trophy at the end of the year.
