It’s been an interesting start to the MLB season where the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks are all in first place. The odds makers aren’t buying it, though, as they still have the same stalwarts atop the World Series futures.
The defending World Series champions are still on top after managing to squeeze out a win during their banner-raising on their Opening Night.
1. Chicago Cubs
Last Week: 1
World Series Championship Odds: +350
Kyle Schwarber has gotten off to a solid start with two home runs in the first week of play, while Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta look like they’re in midseason form on the mound. They’re ranked 23rd in runs scored so far, but that will change. The Cubs need to be better in the field as well with eight errors so far, with two each coming from Willson Contreras and Javier Baez. Still, the Cubs appear to be a solid bet to be in the mix this season for their title defense.
2. Boston Red Sox
Last Week: 3
World Series Championship Odds: +500
The Red Sox are 3-1 in their first four games at home, and 1-3 in their first four on the road. But the Boston faithful will be encouraged by the start of Pablo Sandoval, who has two homers and 7 RBIs in his first eight games. The Red Sox have been hurt by the absence of Mookie Betts (flu) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (knee), but once they’re back to 100%, Boston should be fine in the American League East.
3. Cleveland Indians
Last Week: 2
World Series Championship Odds: +600
Francisco Lindor has been tearing the cover off the ball for the Indians, hitting .333 with four homers and eight RBIs in his first eight games. The 23-year-old has been getting better over his first two MLB seasons, and at this pace, he could have a career year by the All-Star Game. On the mound, Carlos Carrasco is 1-1 with an ERA of 2.13 in his first two starts, but the Indians need Corey Kluber to shake off his early-season rust as he is 0-1 in two starts with an ERA of 5.25. Kluber has also given up four homers in those two starts.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
Last Week: 4
World Series Championship Odds: +800
One of the biggest questions coming into the season was the status of Yaisel Puig, and so far, so good. He has three home runs and five RBIs through his first nine games, and if he were to continue, that would bode extremely well for the Dodgers’ chances in a National League West that seems to be improving with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies off to a good start. Clayton Kershaw has been inconsistent, going 1-1 in his first two starts with an ERA of 3.46, and he was taken deep three times in Colorado. Still, the Dodgers have bigger worries than over their three-time Cy Young winner.
5. San Francisco Giants
Last Week: –
World Series Championship Odds: +800
The San Francisco bats have been very good to start the season, ranking fourth in the majors in runs scored through their first 10 games. They might be inspired by pitcher Madison Bumgarner, who hit two dingers in his first game, although he is 0-1 in those starts. So far, their biggest concern is the health of catcher Buster Posey, who was hit in the head by a pitch on Monday and is now on the 7-day disabled list.
6. Washington Nationals
Last Week: 5
World Series Championship Odds: +1000
The Nationals look like they’re gearing up for a tough battle with the New York Mets in the National League East, but they’re off to a good start with the bats at least, ranking second in runs scored. The starters are holding up their end of the bargain, but the bullpen…..not so much. Gio Gonzalez, Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg all have two quality starts, but the bullpen can’t waste them.
7. New York Mets
Last Week: –
World Series Championship Odds: +1200
The Mets are flexing their muscles early as they’ve hit 16 homers through their first nine games. Jay Bruce has four of those homers, and if he can remain consistent, it’s going to be a fun race in the National League East. Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom have been great on the mound, which was to be expected, but Matt Harvey looks healthy, winning his first two starts with an ERA of 2.92. If he can stay off the disabled list, the Mets’ top three in their starting rotation is every bit as good as the Nationals.
8. Houston Astros
Last Week: –
World Series Championship Odds: +1500
George Springer has come roaring out of the gate with five homers and nine RBIs in his first 10 games of the season, but perhaps more encouraging is the play of pitcher Dallas Keuchel. He won the Cy Young award in 2015, but injuries made him take a step back in 2016. So far, Kuechel is 1-0 in two starts with ERA of 0.64.
9. Toronto Blue Jays
Last Week: –
World Series Championship Odds: +1800
The Blue Jays have struggled to start the season, losing seven of their first eight games. Their high-powered offense has been known to be up and down throughout the course of a season, and all is quiet right now as the Blue Jays rank dead last in runs scored through their first eight games. Jose Bautista, Troy Tulowitzki, Devon Travis and Russell Martin are all hitting below .200, and that has to change.
10. Texas Rangers
Last Week: –
World Series Championship Odds: +2000
The Rangers never seem to have problems with the bats and they’re fifth in the majors in runs scored through their first eight games, and they’re tied with the Mets for the MLB lead in home runs as six players have two or three long balls. However, it is their pitching that could hold them back as the Rangers are 21st in ERA. Cole Hamels has been unlucky as he has had one game blown for him by the bullpen, although Martin Perez has been very good in his first two starts.
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