Value is Still around in MLB Futures

Any team that makes the playoffs has a shot at winning the World Series, so those who plan on doing any futures MLB odds to win the Series . . .

St. Louis Cardinals --- +2500

Chris Carpenter has been pitching well in his return from Tommy John surgery, and Adam Wainwright could be back soon to bolster the Cards’ pitching staff as well. Ryan Ludwick doesn’t seem to be slowing down at the plate, and Albert Pujols is Albert Pujols. The Cubs might run away and hide in the NL Central division standings, but the Cardinals look like they’ll have to battle only the Brewers (+1500) to win the Wild Card.

Florida Marlins --- +2500

They’re a mostly anonymous team, but they’re also right there with the Mets and Phillies in the NL East division standings two thirds of the way through the season. Bettors and oddsmakers have been favoring those other two clubs (New York is at +1200 to win the World Series, Philly is at +1400), but we all know which of that trio has the most recent championship on their resume. Don’t count Florida out unless they really go on a skid.

Minnesota Twins --- +2000

The Twins have been neck-and-neck with the White Sox in the AL Central standings of late, but Chicago is up at +1300 odds to win this year’s World Series. Minnesota swapped out Livan Hernandez for a rejuvenated Francisco Liriano, and their lineup is anchored by two of the division’s top hitters in Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. The Twins’ pitching staff alone gives them a real shot at making the postseason this year.

Arizona Diamondbacks --- +2000

Yes, they’ve been in a bit of a tailspin since their red-hot start to the season, and their offense really doesn’t scare anyone, but someone has to win the NL West. The Dodgers have more supporters right now – they’re at just +1600 to win the championship, and the Manny Ramirez trade gave them a boost – but it’s not like they’ve been an elite team this year. Plus, if Arizona does manage to hold off Los Angeles they’ll enter the playoffs with a daunting mound trio of Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, and Randy Johnson.

New York Yankees --- +1000

The Yankees are usually much less lucrative on these odds lists at this point in the season, but middling results (along with key injuries) have them as almost a playoff afterthought. New York still has to pass at least one of White Sox are in the Wild Card mix as well. Yankee haters, though, know that the team has an annoying habit of getting into the postseason, so a hot run in the near future would see their title odds improve quickly.

Looking for some bigger longshots on the futures MLB odds right now? The Tigers have been struggling to stay within double digits of a playoff berth in the AL, but they still have the talent to get on a roll; they’re at +3000 to win the World Series. The Rockies had a scorching run late last summer and they’re in the league’s worst division; they’re at +12500. And finally, the Rangers have almost no chance of catching the Angels in the AL West standings, but they could sneak into the Wild Card race; they’re at +20000.