Astros and Yankees Look To Hold Off AL Challengers In MLB's Second Half

When we started off the season, the teams with the best odds to win the World Series in the American League were:

• Houston Astros: +700
• Boston Red Sox: +700
• New York Yankees: +800
• Cleveland Indians: +1200

Checking in halfway through the season, the picks were pretty good, with a few exceptions (we’re looking at you Boston.) 

• Houston Astros: +375
• Boston Red Sox: +2500
• New York Yankees: +333
• Cleveland Indians: +3000

The Yankees have overcome an onslaught of injuries to take a nice lead in the AL East, while the Astros have been as good as advertised, thanks to a roster of top to bottom all-stars (and a weak division.)

So what can we expect in the second half? Do we trust teams like Minnesota, Oakland and Tampa Bay to continue their hot play? Can disappointing teams like the Red Sox and Indians make runs to get them back in the conversation? Let’s take a look at some of the teams you may want to look at as great values in the second half.

Boston Red Sox

Odds to win the World Series: +2500

Odds to win the AL: +1400

Odds to win the AL East: +1100

The Red Sox have been the biggest head scratcher in the first half. All the pieces are there from last season’s juggernaut, most everyone in their prime, but they haven’t put it all together. All these odds look very enticing, despite the fact that the Yankees feel almost indestructible. But if GM Dave Dombrowski works some magic at the trade deadline, and the starting rotation starts dominating like it seems they should, you could make some great cash by betting on them now.

Cleveland Indians

Odds to win the World Series: +3300

Odds to win the AL: +1600

Odds to win the AL Central: +700

Minnesota Twins

Odds to win the World Series: +900

Odds to win the AL: +450

Odds to win the AL Central: -2500

We’ll put these two teams together as it feel like they should be in reverse order. This was supposed to be another year in which Cleveland ran away with the Central while the rest of the division continued various rebuilding processes. And yet the Twins have arrived well ahead of schedule, with their mix of overperforming vets (Nelson Cruz! CJ Cron!) and youngsters coming into their own (Jake Odorizzi! Jorge Poloanco!) hitting and pitching way beyond expectations.

Meanwhile, Cleveland has been good, but just not as good as the Twins. Lately, they’ve closed the gap in the division by winning 6 straight before the break. The big question is can the Twins keep up their mammoth hitting (they lead the league in run differential at +116) while the Indians seem to be doing what they always do: keep a steady ship and quietly dispatch their weaker divisional foes on the way to the playoffs. It’ll be a fun race to the end for these two, but at +700 to win the Central, the Indians feel like a good pick.

Tampa Bay Rays

Odds to win the World Series: +2200

Odds to win the AL: +1100

Odds to win the AL East: +850

Oakland A’s

Odds to win the World Series: +6000

Odds to win the AL: +2500

Odds to win the AL West: +2200

Finally, these two small-market, low-payroll upstarts who seem to be in the conversation every year despite the fact that no one ever really gives them a chance. And yet, here they are again, the Rays in second place in the East, 6.5 games behind NY, and leading the Wild Card race, while the A’s sit second in the West, 7.5 games behind the Astros and only 1.5 games behind the Indians for the 2^nd Wild Card. For both teams, it’s been a matter of balanced line-ups, ace pitching from unexpected sources (Charlie Morton for the Rays, the currently suspended Frankie Montas for the A’s) and the ability to beat up on Orioles and Mariners as much as possible. They both face long odds to make win their divisions, but just because their fans don’t show up for hem, doesn’t mean you can’t give them a little love.

Get ready for a wild ride in the second half and good luck!