MLB Betting – World Series Futures Update
You could argue that right now is the best possible time to make your World Series futures bet. Enough of the season has passed that you have a strong sense of each team’s identity. But there’s also just enough time left in the season that a team or two could still be undervalued.
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Think the San Francisco Giants a year ago, the 2007 Colorado Rockies or the Oakland Athletics of the early 2000s. Some team always makes a second-half run. Let’s look at the top contenders, risers and fallers among the current futures. 
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Note the absence of the Giants (+1000) and Brewers (+1500) from this list. It’s not that they aren’t worth a bet – just that they aren’t in the top group and their odds haven’t risen or fallen significantly of late.
TOP CONTENDERS
Philadelphia Phillies (+200)
The Philadelphia Phillies remain the top dog. It’s easy to understand why. As I’ve said before, Cliff Lee threw three straight complete-game shutouts this season and has still only been the third-best pitcher on his own team. The Phils do need some offensive help, however. Carlos Beltran would be a perfect fit. With his power and on-base ability, he’d almost perfectly replicate the production Philly lost when it let Jayson Werth walk.
Boston Red Sox (+400)
Ironically, despite the injuries to their pitching staff, the Red Sox are sitting pretty. They’re still winning games without Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz. So how deadly will they be when their rotation is back at full strength?
New York Yankees (+450)
Whereas the Red Sox arguably don’t need to be active at the trade deadline, as Lester and Buchholz will be like major trade acquisitions, the Yankees need to do something. Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon performed admirably but New York couldn’t have expected their bodies to hold up all season long. Brian Cashman should put a call in for Carlos Zambrano or Ubaldo Jimenez.
Texas Rangers (+800)
There’s no hotter team in the major leagues. Alexi Ogando has pitched well enough to almost nullify the loss of Cliff Lee over the offseason. Swapping in Adrian Beltre for creaky Vlad Guerrero looks like a genius move now, too. The Rangers could return to the Fall Classic.
STOCK RISING
Atlanta Braves (+1000
The Braves are easily the least surprising riser. Everyone knew from the start of 2011 that this was one of baseball’s best teams. The Braves’ pitching has been absolutely dominant. Now that the bats are starting to come around, Atlanta is staking claim to the National League Wildcard slot. The Braves are one team that stands to gain a tone by acquiring a guy like Beltran – and they have plenty of prospects to spare in return.
Detroit Tigers (+1800)
With their superior health and star power, the Tigers have to be considered the American League Central favorite. With Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at the top of their rotation, they’re particularly dangerous in a short series.
Minnesota Twins (+2500)
The Twinkies this high? After their horrific start? That’s how easy it is to contend in the AL Central. Minnesota isn’t out of the race at all. Maybe Justin Morneau will return healthy in time for a September playoff push. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Pittsburgh Pirates (+4000)
The Pirates haven’t seen +4000 odds – or an NL Central lead – since George Bush Senior was in office. I look up and down their team and still wonder if the production is sustainable. But it sure is fun to see the Bucs succeed. Here’s hoping they make a big move at the deadline.
STOCK FALLING
Cincinnati Reds (+3000)
Are the Reds baseball’s most disappointing team this season? The big bats, Votto, Bruce, Phillips, Stubbs, Rolen, etc. – have more or less done what they did last year. But the young, supposedly promising pitching staff has imploded. There’s always time to bounce back in the Central but time is running out.
Tampa Bay Rays (+3000)
The poor Rays suffer from AL East syndrome. They’d be the best team in at least a couple different divisions but can barely stay in the playoff hunt stuck behind the Yankees and Red Sox in the AL East. No wonder the Rays and Jays have trouble getting fans to the ballpark. It’s almost hopeless.
Cleveland Indians (+3000)
I give Cleveland credit in that, while this team has faltered, it hasn’t been for lack of effort. Injuries, not a total tank job, have been the culprit. With Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore going down, you can’t blame The Tribe for losing their grip on the AL Central lead.
