On the eve of spring training starting for the Rangers in Surprise Arizona the annual bookmakers have released their beginning odds. What that means is that if you place a bet now, depending on how they finish you could make a bunch of money. A good example might be if you bet on the Philadelphia Phillies to win the series and they do at 25,000/1, that means a $100 bet would win $25,000. That would be betting a long shot according to the folks in Vegas.
The top odds are going like this:
Chicago Cubs who have not won in 107 years, and yet are 400 and are favored by Vegas to win it all. The Cubs won 97 games last year, added a stellar center fielder, and have solid pitching. Maybe the curse of the goat will end.
Others of note are:
San Francisco Giants at 800; Toronto at 1,200; NY Mets at 1,000; Boston Red Sox at 1,400
The Rangers are at 2,200 to win the series, and 800 to win the American League Pennant. That places them 14th overall to win the series and tied for 5th in the AL.
If Yu Darvish were starting healthy, there were not questions with Josh Hamilton’s knee, and they had a big right-handed bat, the betting might be different. Overall that places them just outside of the top third of everything, which means anything is possible, and better than being 20,000+ against. It makes me feel like Jim Carey saying, so there is a chance, but actually that would be what he would say about Philadelphia.
The other numbers of interest to Rangers fans is the Astros who are at 700 to win the AL Pennant, which is better than the Rangers 800, and 1,800 to win the series compared to the Rangers at 2,200. Both the Seattle Mariners and LA Angels are much further back with Oakland way, way back.
Those folks in Vegas are almost always close, occasionally a long shot comes along and ruins their day, but if you are in the top third that is considered a contender. A lot of things have to go right for any team to win it all, they have to be healthy, have exceptional consistent play, and solid pitching. Personally, I am going to lament letting Cespedes get away all year, just as I did when we couldn’t lure Nelson Cruz back. Frankly, I would not be surprised if the Rangers do not sign one of the remaining free agents David Murphy or Will Venable again, or that they may make a trade, and those rumors are circling too. Much depends on Hamilton’s knee, but a hole in right field is just plain bad news, but counting on Hamilton considering his wear and tear is silly. Then again, maybe something exciting happens with one of the four or five guys in camp. John Daniels is not going to risk winning now just because of Josh Hamilton’s knees, at least I don’t think so.
Who knows, but this probably pretty decent news, if you intend to find your local bookie, or find your way to a Vegas casino. Besides it is easier to play without a giant target on their backs, but make no mistake as defending AL West Champs, they do have a target.
Whatever, it is time to lace up the cleats, dust off the gloves , find a bat, and play some baseball!
