Houston Astros on Top
Don’t look now, but the Houston Astros are back on top of the American League West. The Astros have been to at least the American League Championship Series in seven straight seasons, appearing in the World Series in four of them, and capturing two Commissioners Trophies. Houston looked like that streak was about to end during most of the first half of the season but has all of a sudden risen to the top of the West standings.
Betting Value for the Astros
Let’s take a look at what kind of value they provide for bettors. According to Bet365 New Jersey, the Astros are now the favorite to win the AL West with odds of -130.
Don’t Count Out the Texas Rangers
However, don’t count out the defending World Series champions, the Texas Rangers, who are currently 3.5 games out of the race with odds of +350. If you believe this team can get hot and overtake Houston, +350 is definitely worth a play here. Texas plays the third easiest schedule the rest of the way, with teams having a combined .482 win percentage.
Health and Key Players
One other thing to keep an eye on for Texas is health. The team is hoping to get back a few key names, but the possible return of ace righty, Jacob deGrom, who could return sometime in August, would give the Rangers a potential ace at the top of their rotation. The 36-year-old has been throwing bullpen sessions and is trying to make his way back from last year’s Tommy John surgery.
The Seattle Mariners’ Chances
One other team in the West to consider is Seattle. The Mariners will likely be busy at the trade deadline and are +170 to win the division at various online sports betting sites, along with the betMGM NJ code for bonus credits. They have outstanding pitching, and if they can add a bat or two, they could get you some decent value to win the AL West. One area that concerns me is the injuries in their bullpen. The bullpen was a big reason they had such a solid first half, but could be what prevents them from making the playoffs.
World Series Odds
Once you get into the World Series odds for these teams, it is a tougher call. The Astros have the sixth shortest odds to win the World Series, with odds of +1600. Seattle is +2500, while Texas comes in at +3300. But if you believe any of these teams have the ability to make the playoffs, those odds might be worth a shot.
My Pick: Texas Rangers
Of the group, I actually like Texas. With the easier slate, they might have had a little World Series hangover. Now it seems they are starting to play their best baseball of the season.
