MLB 2008 Season Preview

Alex Rodriguez returning to the New York Yankees certainly simplifies matters for baseball fans – all their venom can continue to be focused in that one spot, instead of being split between the Bronx and some other team for ARod. However, will those doing some MLB betting on the World Series find the situation just as simple?

The oddsmakers at BetUS have the Yankees listed high on the current World Series odds chart, but they’re not at the very top. New York’s +550 title odds trail those of the champion Boston Red Sox, who are pegged at +500. Had the Yankees lost Rodriguez they would’ve had to pursue another middle-of-the-lineup hitter to replace his production. Instead, New York can focus on their other areas of need in the offseason.

And that means pitching – with luring Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera back into the fold both high priorities for the team. The Red Sox already moved to solidify their starting staff for 2008, signing Curt Schilling to a one-year deal and picking up Tim Wakefield’s option. Both of those rich teams, though, will undoubtedly be on the lookout for quality arms from other teams as baseball’s player movement jumps into high gear.

So if the BoSox and Yankees sit atop the World Series odds list again, who are the other top contenders? At BetUS it’s the New York Mets who are listed third on the title odds list at +800. The Mets had a very disappointing finish to their 2008 campaign so watch for them to try and make a few splashy player acquisitions in the months to come.

The Cleveland Indians are fourth on the World Series odds list at +1200, while each of the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cubs are pegged at +1500 odds. Both the Angels and Cubs were rumored to be possible ARod destinations, but that’s not going to happen now. Chicago dealt outfielder Jacque Jones to the Tigers last week in exchange for Omar Infante; Detroit also picked up Edgar Renteria from the Braves.

The Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Milwaukee Brewers are all sitting at +2000 odds to win the World Series right now, while each of the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies are just behind that first group at +2500 odds to win the championship in 2008.

The Colorado Rockies were the hottest team in baseball until they ran into the Red Sox last month, but the oddsmakers aren’t that keen on their chances of pulling off that kind of run again this season – they’re at just +3000 odds to win the 2008 World Series. The Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros are all now listed at +3000 as well.

Only five other teams are currently listed with World Series odds in the baseball lines at BetUS – the Minnesota Twins (+4000), Toronto Blue Jays (+4000), Florida Marlins (+5000), Cincinnati Reds (+6000), and San Francisco Giants (+6000). The Giants, of course, most likely won’t have Barry Bonds to anchor their lineup in the upcoming year.

That’s because San Francisco doesn’t plan on re-signing the slugger – and Bonds could be out of work entirely if the American legal system gets its way. Along with MLB betting on World Series props, there are also several Barry Bonds props at BetUS to get you through baseball’s quiet winter months. The HR king is currently pegged at EVEN odds to be found not guilty on all charges, and he’s listed at +125 to reach a plea agreement.

If you’re looking for a harsher end for Bonds, you can get +150 odds that he’ll be found guilty of perjury, and +250 odds that he’ll be found guilty of obstruction of justice. Correctly guessing that Bonds will be banned from baseball for life pays at +800 odds. Check the BetUS baseball odds section for all the lines and prop bets for next season.