MLB Betting 2011: American League preview

[Betfair]

The start of the 2011 baseball season is finally upon us. Nick Shiambouros takes a look at every team in the American League along with current prices to win the World Series.

Boston Red Sox [4.8]
The Sox were plagued with injuries last year and failed to make the playoffs. Over the winter Boston signed outfielder Carl Crawford from Tampa and All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego. With the addition of these two superstars the Red Sox will field one of the strongest lineups in baseball.

Boston also possess some outstanding pitchers in the rotation including Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. It is hard to find any weaknesses in this team and they are deserving favourites, but represent little value at the odds on offer.

New York Yankees [9.2]
The Yankees made the playoffs last year but were eliminated by the Texas Rangers in the AL Championship Series.

There is plenty of firepower in the lineup. Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Gunderson will provide plenty of runs for the Bronx Bombers. But the big problem for New York is the weakness in the starting pitching. C C Sabathia will win his fair share of games but the rest may struggle.

The Yankees are bound to be in the playoff hunt this season but they may not finish ahead of Boston in the AL East.

Minnesota Twins [25.0]
The Twins won the AL Central last year but were eliminated by the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs.

This team can score plenty of runs which makes them live candidates for another AL Central title. Joe Mauer is one of the most explosive hitters in the game and is the backbone of this stellar offence. Pitching ace Francisco Liriano looks set for a good year on the mound now that he is healthy.

This team has very few weaknesses and are well worth an interest at the current odds.

Chicago White Sox [25.0]
The White Sox were a little disappointing last year but still managed to finish second in the AL Central.

Adam Dunn was signed during the winter to give them a little more power in the lineup.
The White Sox are capable of giving Minnesota a run for their money in the AL Central but they must improve their pitching if they are to improve on 2010's efforts.

Texas Rangers [26.0]
The Rangers went all the way to the World Series last year led by the power hitting of AL MVP Josh Hamilton. This team is packed with talent which should enable them to win plenty of games.

Continued:
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