MLB Futures Betting – Odds on the American League West

The reigning American League champions lead the futures in their division, as the Texas Rangers begin the 2011 MLB betting season with odds at -120.

MLB Futures Betting – American League West To Win

• Los Angeles Angels +225
• Oakland Athletics +225
• Seattle Mariners +2000
• Texas Rangers -120

After an exciting finish to capture the American League division title, the Rangers went on to defeat the New York Yankees in high style to claim the American League Pennant. Despite losing their star ace Cliff Lee to Philadelphia, the majority of the Texas team remains intact and looks to dominate the American League West again.

Breaking news today regarding the Rangers is that the managing general partner, Chuck Greenberg, who helped guide the team out of bankruptcy, will be ousted soon. MLB betting fans hope this change in top leadership does not destabilize the team.

Texas continues to work to strengthen its starting pitching. Led by Colby Lewis and C.J. Wilson, three open spots remain in the rotation, as Tommy Hunter is vying for one of those positions. In addition, club president Nolan Ryan is optimistic about the pitching probabilities for the 2011 season.

Behind the Rangers, the Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland A’s are both at +225 in the betting odds to win the division. Prior to the Rangers’ outburst success last season, the Angels had locked this division for three years in a row. However Los Angeles fell upon tough times last year, finishing the season under .500 and in third place in the division, a full ten games back of Texas.

The Athletics of Oakland finished second in the American League West last season, and have been unusually healthy so far this preseason. With progression in the pitching rotation and the ability to put runs together, the A’s may be worth a bet to give the Rangers a run. In each of the A’s victories in preseason, the team has scored four runs or more.

For the pitiful Seattle Mariners, a team that finished the 2010 season at .377 much will have to be rectified before the team is competitive again. On the bright side, the Mariners do have a star pitcher in Felix Hernandez, who won the 2010 Cy Young Award, with a fastball as high as 100 miles per hour.

MLB Futures Betting Pick –The Rangers are a safe bet to win the division again, but if you want to take a chance to cash in, make the Athletics your preseason MLB futures pick!