At the onset of the 2025 season, the New York Yankees were the obvious and understandable choice to win the American League pennant. The defending American League champions boast one of the highest payrolls, according to the baseball betting odds. Additionally, New York has the best player in baseball, Aaron Judge, manning the marquee. Following a dominant start, the Yankees were erratic in the second half. For all of their spending and branding, the Yankees are hardly a dynasty. Since 2009, New York has one pennant and one World Series title.
It’s playoff time in Major League Baseball. And the American League battle for the pennant is wide open.
2025 American League Playoffs
| Date and Time: | AL Playoffs begin Tuesday, September 30, 2025 |
|---|
American League Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners | +200 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +300 |
| New York Yankees | +360 |
| Detroit Tigers | +800 |
| Boston Red Sox | +800 |
| Cleveland Guardians | +900 |
Specifically, the American League is a notable sportsbook example of the parity in offshore betting in Major League Baseball. Since 2015, the American League has seen seven different franchises win the pennant. The Houston Astros won four pennants in that span.
In the wild card round, the Boston Red Sox face the New York Yankees, while the Detroit Tigers take on the Cleveland Guardians. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays get an MLB odds wild-card bye.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners won the American League West with a record of 90-72. Correlate that the Mariners caught gamblers and opponents off guard. The Mariners were 89-68 over the total. Seattle ranked 9th for run production and 13th for earned run average.
Cal Raleigh exploded on the scene this year to become a superstar. To illuminate, the Mariner catcher produced 110 runs, 60 home runs, and 125 runs batted in. His OPS was .948.
Andres Munoz saved 38 games in 45 chances. Also, his record was 3-3 with a 1.73 earned run average and 1.03 WHIP.
Cause by their regular season success, the Mariners have lost the surprise factor. In fact, they have emerged as the betting favorite to win the American League pennant.
New York Yankees
The Yankees are the defending American League champions. Despite that status and their massive payroll, New York was inconsistent and a poor value in 2025. Yet there is a sense that the Yankees may have been saving it up for the playoffs. New York flopped in the 2024 World Series, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a result, the Yankees are determined to atone for that failure and complete their mission to win the World Series.
Overall, the Yankees finished 94-68 but lost -559 moneyline units. Still, New York was the top run-producing team in the regular season. However, the Yankees ranked 23rd for the fewest errors committed and 23rd for bullpen ERA.
Of course, the Yankees have the ultimate asset in Aaron Judge. In 2025, Judge produced 137 runs, 30 doubles, 53 home runs, and 114 runs batted in. Judge had a .331 batting average and 1.145 OPS.
Toronto Blue Jays
Although the Blue Jays don’t attract a lot of attention from gamblers, that is fine with them. Toronto quietly won the American League East, beating out the Yankees on a tie-breaker. Toronto was 94-68 and +1677 units on the moneyline and +1494 units on the run line. The Toronto Blue Jays were the most profitable team in the American League.
In sum, Toronto ranked 4th for run production and 3rd for OPS. However, the Blue Jays ranked 19th for earned run average. Additionally, Toronto ranked 16th in bullpen ERA.
Cleveland Guardians
The hottest team in the American League is the Cleveland Guardians. To show, Cleveland rallied from a 10-game deficit to overtake the Detroit Tigers to win the American League Central. Previously, the Guardians seemed to have surrendered when they traded ace pitcher Shane Bieber to the Blue Jays. Instead, Cleveland rallied for a stunning triumph by winning 17 of its final 20 games.
Of great concern is that the Guardians rank 28th for run production. However, Cleveland ranks 4th for earned run average and 3rd for bullpen ERA.
Detroit Tigers
Of major concern is the mindset of the Detroit Tigers, who blew a 15-game lead and ultimately lost the American League Central. Detroit lost 11 of its final 13 games. Detroit finished -667 units on the moneyline and -1786 units on the run line.
Boston Red Sox
Boston operated under the radar to finish +662 units on the moneyline. Correlate the remarkable consistency of the Red Sox in 2025. Boston has a good balance, ranking 7th for run production and 5th for earned run average.
2025 American League Pennant Free Pick
The Cleveland Guardians offer a great price and powerful momentum. In comparison, the top-tier favorites are too expensive.
2025 AL Pennant Winner Best Bet: Cleveland Guardians.