[Tommy]

A look at the MLB betting odds to win the American League pennant according to VIP.com.

The American League Pennant chase is as competitive as any in recent memory with eight teams fighting for four spots. The big market clubs like Boston and New York are still in the thick of it, but no longer are they both guaranteed a playoff spot. This race will go down to the wire.

Yankees 13:5

Right before last weekend, the Yankees looked like they were going to pull away from Boston in the AL East. They had a three game lead, and four in the loss column. The lead is still two games, and the Yankees are the deserving favorite to be playing in another World Series.

Detroit Tigers 10:3

The Tigers lost five games in a row before beating Boston last night. Their previous biggest losing streak was four games. Many of the pundits believed that it was the Tigers’ young pitching that might start to falter, but it has been the bats that have gone silent during this period. They still have a 5.5 game cushion over Chicago in the AL Central.

Chicago White Sox 5:1

The White Sox swept Detroit over the weekend and now get another shot at them in a week. Chicago may still trail Detroit by 5.5 games in their division, but they have a three game lead over Boston and Minnesota in the AL Wild Card race. You can never count out the defending champions with their combination of hitting and pitching.

Oakland A’s 7:1

Oakland has built a 5.5 game lead over the Angels and Rangers in the AL West by winning 10 of 11 games. This is a team that has a history of playing great in the second half and this year is no exception. With Barry Zito apparently leaving the team via free agency at the end of the season, this could be their best shot to make it to the World Series.

Boston Red Sox 15:2

The Red Sox hit their low point in their sweep by Kansas City last week. The Royals were just 39-73 heading into that series. Boston did rebound by beating Baltimore three straight games, and now they are in the middle of a tough series with Detroit, before a five game set with the Yankees at Fenway Park.

Minnesota Twins 17:2

Minnesota was the hottest team in the American League when the second half started. However, they just lost three out of four games to Toronto, and are not nearly as intimidating a team with Francisco Liriano on the DL. There is still no clear timetable for the rookie phenom’s return.

Los Angeles Angels 16:1

The Angels could have folded their tents once they found out that Bartolo Colon was out for the year with a rotator cuff injury. That is not the modus operandi of their players or manager Mike Scioscia. Los Angeles is still getting enough pitching to win most nights, but a continued lack of hitting leaves little margin for error.

Texas Rangers 40:1

Texas recently lost four straight games to the Angels and A’s, and it looked like they could be written out of the playoff chase. Then the Seattle Mariners came to town and the Rangers swept them four games in a row. The Rangers play Anaheim in a short two game series starting tonight, and both teams feel like they need to sweep.


Source: http://sportsedge.vip.com/