Updated AL Pennant Odds
After acquiring Giancarlo Stanton, are the New York Yankees the team to beat in the American League this season? Here is what oddsmakers say.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Yankees are 13/5 favorites to win the American League pennant in 2018. The Indians and Astros have the next-best odds at 14/5, respectively, while the Red Sox are 13/2. The Angels, meanwhile, are 15/1 while the Mariners are 18/1 and the Rays are 25/1.
Bet American League Pennant Odds
Continuing with the current odds, the Blue Jays are 28/1 to win the American League pennant next season, followed by the White Sox at 35/1 and the Twins at 40/1. The Orioles and Rangers are 45/1 long-shots, respectively, while the Royals and A’s are 60/1, respectively. The Tigers, who finished last year with the worst record in baseball, have the longest odds at 250/1.
After adding Stanton to a lineup that also includes Aaron Judge, it’s no surprise that the Yankees have the best odds to win the pennant next year. They still need to address their starting pitching, but this is a club that was one game away from reaching the World Series last year so they clearly have enough to make a deep run.
One thing to keep an eye on is if the Orioles move third baseman Manny Machado. Jim Bowden of Sirius XM and The Athletic hears from sources that there’s doubt that Baltimore ownership will sign off on trading Machado, even if it’s recommended by executive vice president Dan Duquette. National League teams like the Cardinals have been mentioned as a possible fit for the Orioles and Machado, but if the club trades him to the White Sox, these pennant odds will shift dramatically.
The other free agent that could change the landscape in the AL is if Yu Darvish winds up with a team like the Twins, or stays in the National League after he was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline last season. Darvish crapped the bed in the World Series but still has plenty of upside as a top-of-the-rotation starter. He could change the landscape of an American League team in a heartbeat.
American League Pennant Odds
New York Yankees 13/5
Cleveland Indians 14/5
Houston Astros 14/5
Boston Red Sox 13/2
Los Angeles Angels 15/1
Seattle Mariners 18/1
Tampa Bay Rays 25/1
Toronto Blue Jays 28/1
Chicago White Sox 35/1
Minnesota Twins 40/1
Baltimore Orioles 45/1
Texas Rangers 45/1
Kansas City Royals 60/1
Oakland Athletics 60/1
Detroit Tigers 250/1