It's been a couple of weeks since Albert Pujols sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball by signing a 10 year deal with the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels are now favored with the New York Yankees to win the American League Championship Series and both teams are 7/1 odds to win the 2012 World Series. Only the Philadelphia Phillies have lower odds at 5/1 according to Bovada.lv.
After the big three teams is two more American League teams. The Boston Red Sox are 9/1 odds and the Detroit Tigers behind MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander are sitting at 14/1.
Next is the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants at 15/1 odds. The Marlins have been big players in free agency. Besides losing out in the Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson sweepstakes, Miami, who will move in to their new stadium this year and have changed from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins, signed Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell. Miami also brought in manager Ozzie Guillen.
The Texas Rangers have represented the American League in two straight World Series are 16/1 odds. Tampa is next with 18/1 odds and Arizona, Atlanta and last year's World Series winner St. Louis Cardinals are 20/1. The Cardinals not only lost Pujols but Tony LaRussa retired and St. Louis has handled the reigns to first year manager Mike Matheny.
Chicago is hopeful to change the landscape for the Cubs. They signed Theo Epstein away from the Red Sox but Epstein is pushing patience. Currently the Cubs along with the Reds, Rockies and Brewers are 25/1.
The other team from Chicago has had a quiet offseason and are 30/1 odds with the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Nationals. Cleveland, Minnesota, New York (N) and Oakland are 50/1. Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Seattle are 60/1. San Diego is 75/1 and both Baltimore and Houston are 100/1 odds to win the World Series.
