Baseball futures remain the domain of the defending World Series champion New York Yankees who are far and away the most popular choice on the board. The Yankees stood at the highly expensive price of +210 at Sbg global to win the 2010 World Series and with good reason as they look to be the best team.
Buying High
As good as the Yankees look they do come with that expensive price tag. Another team that gamblers have been buying into recently is the Philadelphia Phillies, the 2008 World Series Champion and last year’s runner up. Philadelphia climbed all the way to a price of +290 to win the World Series for 2010.
Rising Rays
Even the Tampa Bay Rays, the American League Wild Card team, rose in price to +390 to win the 2010 World Series. The Rays have great balance and can play at all aspects of the game but they also had quite a swoon in August and September as they faded down the stretch to the Yankees in the American League East Division race.
Better Values?
Baseball betting handicappers looking for capable alternatives that would bring a far better payout would do well to consider American League Central Division Champion Minnesota, who was at +700 as the Twins could be one of the better values on the board. Minnesota has played consistent baseball all year and has shown well down the stretch towards the playoffs. They also have a nice intangible edge of playing their first season at Target Field where the house is full and the profits for gamblers have been high.
Black ink with Reds
Baseball futures handicappers would also do well to look at the National League Central Division champion Cincinnati Reds as they have sparked to life ever since losing a 3 game series in August at home to St. Louis. While the Reds pitching are not the best manager Dusty Baker finds a way to win and the lineup is solid. At +850 the Reds would rate as a solid value.
Rangers Quiet Champions
Few baseball betting success stories have gotten as little attention as the American League West Division champion Texas Rangers as they have had firm command of the lead all summer and have not had to extend their pitching to the end of the season to make the playoffs.