Parity is often a topic of conversation when the NFL comes up, but baseball has quietly become its rival in that regard. This season MLB is a lock to have a different champion than the previous year for the 15th straight season.
So how closely are this year’s playoff teams bunched? Here are the Vegas World Series odds for the American League teams, per Sportsbook.com.
3 Reasons The Blue Jays Are Great
American League
Toronto Blue Jays (+350): The Blue Jays acquired SS Troy Tulowitzki and SP David Price at the trade deadline and never looked back. They have easily the most powerful lineup in the postseason, and a legitimate, lockdown ace atop their rotation.
The Jays are the favorite among all the playoff teams period to win the World Series, even though they were close to an afterthought early in the season. That right there proves parity.
Cueto's Struggles Worrying Royals Fans
Kansas City Royals (+500): The Royals proved last year was no fluke, and that their formula of great defense, a strong bullpen, and an ace at the top to tie it all together can do the trick. Johnny Cueto, acquired at the trade deadline line Price, has stumbled late in the season. But that doesn’t mean opposing hitters will be psyched to see him on the hill in Game 1.
The Royals’ odds do take a hit after finding out closer Greg Holland will need Tommy John surgery.
Texas Rangers (+700): This is what this article is all about! Texas was one of the worst teams in baseball last year, and began this year by losing ace Yu Darvish to Tommy John surgery. But here they are, outperforming star-studded teams like the Mariners and Angels.
New York Yankees (+1,700): The Yankees were once the favorite in the AL to reach the Fall Classic, but that was before Toronto’s moves. The Yankees have close to Toronto’s firepower – although losing 1B Mark Teixeira put them clearly behind the Jays – and their rotation is deeper than Toronto’s, even if it’s weaker at the very top.
Los Angeles Angels (+2,000): The Angels have nudged ahead of the Astros, but even though two of MLB’s best players (Mike Trout, Albert Pujols) are on this roster, they’ve been shaky from start to finish. In a one-game playoff, however, those two boppers are terrifying.
Houston Astros (+2,500): The ‘Stros, like the Rangers, prove parity is the new reality. Houston was a laughingstock for several years, and was expected to make small improvements and get some of their kids up in September. They hit the accelerator on that plan, and are on the cusp of a postseason berth with arguably the most exciting team in the field.
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