We are now just three days away from the start of what promises to be another thrilling Major League Baseball season, and there is plenty of value to be had in predicting who will win each division. Here we run through them all, offering odds and predictions on how they will end up.
American League East
The Boston Red Sox are second favourites for the World Series and should be able to prevail in this division over the Blue Jays and Yankees. Boston has everything you want in a franchise, a strong blend of youth and experience, and the cash to fix any problems that may arise. Boston looks a great bet in this division at 4/5 with Paddy Power.
American League Central
This is another no brainer but the odds are nowhere near as attractive as the Cleveland Indians are best priced at just 1/4 with Ladbrokes and BetFred. BetVictor has them as low as 1/50. Odds of 1/4 are not attractive when you have to wait a whole season to cash out, but if you are compiling an accumulator, stick Cleveland in.
American League West
This is a very tough one to call and there is great value as a result of that. It looks like a three horse race between the Houston Astros (6/4 with BetWay), the Seattle Mariners (3/1 with BetWay) and the Texas Rangers (3/1 with Ladbrokes). The Rangers have won the division for the last two years running, but they are rebuilding and the popular pick is Houston, a team full of exciting youngsters. Seattle, however, is a real dark horse, full of power and speed, and look really interesting at 3/1.
National League East
This will come down to the Washington National and the New York Mets. Washington is the favourite at 4/6 with Bet Victor, but the loss of Wilson Ramos will be a blow. The Mets are one of the best teams in baseball when they are all healthy, which has not happened much in recent times, but if they get a bit of luck with injuries, they can win this division. So, the 19/10 Paddy Power is offering looks attractive.
National League Central
St Louis is a good team and can make things interesting, but the Chicago Cubs will dominate this division. Chicago is favourite for the World Series and with good reason: it won the World Series last year and proved itself as the best team in baseball. Little has changed since then to suggest the Cubs cannot win this division at a canter. There is barely any value in it – just 1/5 with Bet Victor and Paddy Power – but it is another one for that accumulator.
National League West
The LA Dodgers are a dark horse for the World Series as they have a really great team with superstars in Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen, and a fantastic supporting cast. The Dodgers look a great bet to win this division at 8/13 with Paddy Power.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
