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2011 MLB Season Picks – World Series Predictions

MLB Betting – World Series Futures Update

We’re roughly a quarter of the way through the MLB season and I can’t remember the last time I saw so much parity. The Jays and Orioles are still in the hunt in the AL East? The Indians and Royals lead the AL Central? Huh?

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Here’s a look at the top contenders, risers and fallers among the 2011 World Series betting futures.

TOP CONTENDERS

Philadelphia Phillies (+225)

Thanks to their dynamite pitching, the Phillies have been holding strong. And, with Chase Utley and Domonic Brown both set to join the lineup in the next week or two, Philadelphia should retain its spot as the top World Series contender.

New York Yankees (+600)

The oddsmakers are being a bit generous, aren’t they? The Yankees are slumping, just two games over .500, and they’re still relying on Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia at the back end of their rotation. Looks like their odds have gotten the Tiger Woods treatment. The reputation exceeds the current performance.

Boston Red Sox (+600)

Boston’s odds are also still surprisingly high given their horrific start to the season. However, at least the BoSox are heating up, having won four straight games. And Adrian Gonzalez is devouring the universe at the plate right now.

STOCK RISING

San Francisco Giants (+800)

Yes, the defending champions’ stock is on the rise. They barely cracked the top 10 World Series favorites at the start of this season; oddsmakers felt they couldn’t win it all with only pitching and no hitting again. But San Fran is silencing its doubters so far; the champs are now the No. 4 favorite at most books.

Oakland Athletics (+1800)

If the Giants can do it with no offense, why not the other team across the Bay? Brett Anderson has been solid on the hill as advertised and both Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez are somehow surpassing the bar they both set so high during their breakout 2010 campaigns.

St. Louis Cardinals (+2000)

The Cardinals are soldiering on without Adam Wainwright – but not for the reasons we expected. It isn’t Albert Pujols or Chris Carpenter carrying this team; it’s Lance Berkman, Jaime Garcia, and pitching coach Dave Duncan’s other projects (Kyle McClellan, Kyle Lohse). What happens when the big stars wake up and join the party? St. Louis could be scary.

Cleveland Indians (+2000)

Baseball just doesn’t want to believe that the Indians’ start is for real but they just won’t go away. The young pitchers seem to be ahead of schedule and it seems like a different young hitter is “the man” every night, whether it’s Cabrera, Brantley, LaPorta or Santana.

STOCK FALLING

Cincinnati Reds (+2000)

Could the Reds be a value pick at +2000? Last year’s NL Central champs haven’t lost their hitting prowess (read: Votto, Joey) but their pitching eluded them to start this season. However, Johnny Cueto is back from injury and perhaps Edinson Volquez will work out the kinks. If that happens, the Reds can still contend.

Milwaukee Brewers (+2000)

The Brew Crew are just like the Reds in that their pitching has eluded them early this season. But Zack Greinke’s return can right the ship and Yovani Gallardo is too good to stay down for long. Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks need better support in the lineup, though.

Chicago White Sox (+4000)

The White Sox have taken a major plummet after many people picked them to win the AL Central this season. But they’ve shown signs of life, winning seven of 10, and they have too much talent to stay down. Adam Dunn and Edwin Jackson can’t be this bad and Jake Peavy’s return could help.

Los Angeles Dodgers (+5000)

The Dodgers’ odds are where they deserve to be, as far as I’m concerned. I still like that pitching staff – Kershaw/Billingsley/Kuroda/Lilly/Garland is among baseball’s deepest rotations – but the hits won’t come from anyone besides Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier. We knew that last season. Apparently the Dodgers didn’t, as they did nothing to address their offense over the winter.

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.