The New York Yankees were one game short of making the World Series last year as they went down to a seven game defeat to the eventual World Series baseball betting champion Houston Astros. For most franchises that would be a satisfying season but not in New York. Manager Joe Girardi was fired and now Aaron Boone is charged with managing the +300 offshore bookmaker choice to win the American League pennant. The Astros opened as a +230 favorite to repeat as AL pennant winners. The Cleveland Indians are also a +230 selection to win the American League. The Yankees arch rival Boston Red Sox are a +380 choice. There could also be some better values and hidden gems that emerge as the American League winner.
Opening Day for the 2018 MLB season is March 29, 2018 and SBG will have odds on all of the action.
Houston
The Houston Astros had the baseball betting intangible of playing for a city that had just been hammered with a hurricane in what turned out to be a magical run to their first ever World Series title. Houston brings no value at +230 to repeat as AL champions. To be sure the Astros are a quality franchise that is built for success. The World Series championship of last year was no fluke, intangibles and all.
Girardi
Girardi managed the Yankees with great success since 2008 and led the franchise to a 2009 World Series championship. In this era of parity and wild card teams winning pennants Girardi did a credible job and won with consistency. His firing is no sure thing for the Yankees getting back to the World Series. Aaron Boone walks into a modern version of the Bronx Zoo in which a World Series title is not just the expectation but the full demand.
When “The Boss” George Steinbrenner died in 2010 it was feared that there would be a leadership vacuum. And in fact, the Yankees have appeared to be going more corporate in recent years. But with the firing of Girardi the Yankees have made the ultimate statement about how its all about winning and winning now.
Boston
The Boston Red Sox also fired a World Series winning manager in John Farrell. The Bosox lost in the American League Divisional playoffs last year to the Houston Astros. The Red Sox caught the baseball world off guard in 2013 with a stunning World Series championship. Ferrell may have been a victim of his own success with the betting odds. After winning the World Series in his first year it proved to be impossible to top. New Manager Alex Cora has an unenviable task in facing the high demands of Bosox nation.
Matchup to Watch
The 2018 American League season looks wide open with the potential for an upstart baseball betting commodity emerging as champion. Teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, and Astros will be overwhelming public choices but not necessarily good values. In this day and age, it is almost impossible to repeat which makes the Astros a poor choice. The Red Sox and Yankees are too public. That leaves gamblers wanting for a good value.
2018 American League Baseball Betting Odds Picks
The Los Angeles Angels at 16/1 bring enough talent and ability to go with great betting value as an overlooked choice.
Baseball Betting Online Pick: Los Angeles Angels 16/1
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