The Red Sox stormed to a 2013 World Series title and will have a similar squad next season, but Vegas doesn’t quite think they can strike gold again.
According to SPORTS. BOVADA.LV, the Dodgers at 7/1 are the odds on favorite to win the 2014 World Series. As if they didn’t have enough pressure last season to win, after Magic Johnson’s ownership team invested $602 million for eight players, more than a third of the club’s value and more than the value of 13 MLB teams. Coming up short to a less-talented St. Louis squad and being the gambling man’s pick for 2014 success, makes next season a do-or-die mission for those high-priced stars and manager Don Mattingly.
The Tigers, who fell to Boston in the ALCS are 9-1 favorites. Even with long time skipper Jim Leyland hanging it up after failing to get over that WS hump, Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander always keep you in the hunt.
The World Champion Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and the disappointing Washington Nationals are 10/1 favorites. Barring injury to heart-and-soul second baseman Dustin Pedroia and a decline in Big Papi’s production, Boston seems to be outfitted to make a couple more WS runs before it’s all over.
St. Louis has the young arms and always finds productive players. Letting Albert Pujols fly instead of wrecking the pay roll to keep the legend was a tough decision that turned up roses. Pujols is still a good hitter, but since joining the L.A. Angels, he’s failed to hit more than 30 homers, and he’s hit below .300 the last three seasons. Addition by subtraction is keeping “The Lou” in the elite.
The Nats will rue the day they shut down Stephen Strasburg right before the 2012 playoffs. Obviously, people don’t expect them to flounder like last year’s 86-win team, but it’s no guarantee they can get the 96 wins the Braves won the NL East with this season either.
Mike Scioscia has one more shot to get it right in Hollywood/Anaheim. The Angels are 14/1 WS favorites, but another 78-win season is not going to cut it. The big dawgs need to start barking. We’re talking to you Josh Hamilton and Mr. Pujols.
There are six other teams tied at 16-1 odds.
