Sportsbook odds predict a three-way race in the American League Central in 2010.The Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers are expected to battle it out all year. The online sportsbook lists the Twins as a slight favorite followed close by the White Sox and Tigers.
Sportsbook numbers list Minnesota at +150 to win the American League Central this season. They are followed by Chicago at +155 and Detroit at +225. Cleveland is a 9-1 longshot while Kansas City is not considered a threat at 20-1.
Last season the Twins won a one-game playoff against Detroit to win the American League Central. That was the second year in a row that the division came down to a one-game playoff. The Twins lost in 2008 in the playoff game to Chicago. In fact, in three of the last four years this division has been decided by one game. It could be just as close in 2010.
Minnesota is led by AL MVP Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. The Twins have more than just those two players though. They have a tough middle of the order with Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. The Twins have solid starters in Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey. The bullpen took a huge hit with the news that closer Joe Nathan will miss the season. You will notice something very different this season when you wager on the Twins at the sportsbook. They will be playing outside. The Twins leave the Metrodome and will be playing in the new Target Field.
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Chicago could be improved this season vs. sportsbook baseball lines as they have Jake Peavy to go along with Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd and John Danks. The White Sox have a solid closer in Bobby Jenks and an offense led by Paul Konerko, Carlos Quentin and Gordon Beckham.
Detroit blew the division a year ago but they may have enough this season to win vs. sportsbook odds. Detroit has two excellent starters in Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello. The Tigers picked up Johnny Damon in the off-season but they lost Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson.
The other two teams are longshots at the online sportsbook. Cleveland can hit but they don’t have much pitching past Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook. The Royals have Zack Grienke and Billy Butler but not much else.