2012 American League Pennant Vegas Odds and Predictions – Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers to Win the 2012 AL Pennant: The American League has been top heavy in recent years. The East Division has featured three teams that have been winning 90-plus games on a regular basis, while the Texas Rangers have made back-to-back trips to the World Series. Without a lot of surprises, the expanded playoff field in 2012 could make things particularly interesting in the AL. Making the postseason is the biggest battle, and once the playoffs begin, any team in the mix can get hot and win it all.
The Favorites – 2012 American League Pennant Odds and Predictions
After winning the American League pennant two years in a row, the Texas Rangers have established themselves as one of the top teams in baseball. Their explosive lineup features the likes of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Adrian Beltre, Michael Young and the list goes on. The rotation did lose C.J. Wilson, but Yu Darvish was brought in from Japan and Neftali Feliz will be able to start after Joe Nathan was brought in to close games. The Rangers have a loaded offense, a solid rotation and arguably the best bullpen. They are primed for another deep playoff run.
There has been no shortage of star power in the New York Yankees’ lineup in recent years, but the starting rotation has been a joke. The front office finally addressed the problem this offseason, trading for Michael Pineda and signing Hiroki Kuroda to support ace CC Sabathia. Meanwhile, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano are still around to put plenty of runs on the board for a lineup that always contends for the most home runs in baseball. With their pitching woes addressed, the Yankees could be bringing another World Series title to the most storied franchise in the game.
The Dark Horses – 2012 American League Pennant Odds and Predictions
After an epic collapse, the Boston Red Sox set out to make amends under new manager Bobby Valentine. The lineup is as potent as ever, with MVP candidates Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury leading the way. Meanwhile, the rotation features Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz, with newly added Mark Melancon and Andrew Bailey anchoring the bullpen. Aside from adding Valentine, Boston is more or less the same team that dominated the American League for about five months last season. One bad month ruined their 2011 season, but the Red Sox should be back to contend in 2012.
Despite losing star catcher Victor Martinez to a knee injury, the Detroit Tigers still have enough firepower to compete in the AL. The defending Central Division champs added Prince Fielder to pair with Miguel Cabrera, giving Detroit one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball. Meanwhile, defending Cy Young winner and reigning AL MVP Justin Verlander leads an underrated rotation. If Fielder turns out to be the missing piece to the puzzle, Detroit could be making a much deeper run in this year’s postseason.
Years of being the worst team in baseball allowed the Tampa Bay Rays to stockpile some serious talent, and it has shown the last several seasons. The Rays have above average pitching from top to bottom, with starters James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson and David Price leading the way. The offense doesn’t have a ton of superstars outside of third baseman Evan Longoria, but Desmond Jennings, Ben Zobrist and B.J. Upton personify the team’s commitment to pushing the envelope on the base paths. Tampa Bay has speed, pitching and defense on its side, and that is more than enough to compete.
The Sleepers – 2012 American League Pennant Odds and Predictions
Overtaking the Texas Rangers won’t be easy, but with another Wild Card spot up for grabs, the Los Angeles Angels are still in good shape to make the postseason. Three-time MVP Albert Pujols was brought in to anchor a lineup that features plenty of speed but had been lacking a big bat. Meanwhile, C.J Wilson was added to a rotation that already featured a pair of Cy Young candidates in Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. With two new stars added to the mix, both of whom have World Series experience, the Angels are better equipped to challenge the top dogs in the AL in 2012.
Even though they are fourth on the pecking order in their own division, the Toronto Blue Jays did finish with a .500 record last season, and they have more than enough power to put runs on the board. Outfielder Jose Bautista leads a lineup that features promising young players are multiple positions. The pitching staff has been up and done in recent years, but Ricky Romero has ace potential at the top of the rotation. In the end, young players like catcher J.P.Arencibia and third baseman Brett Lawrie will have to mature sooner rather than later for the Blue Jays to compete in 2012, but Toronto at least had a decent foundation in place.
Odds to win the 2012 American League Pennant
5001 Baltimore Orioles +7250
5002 Boston Red Sox +455
5003 Chicago White Sox +3550
5004 Cleveland Indians +2550
5005 Detroit Tigers +405
5006 Kansas City Royals +3250
5007 Los Angeles Angels +325
5008 Minnesota Twins +4050
5009 New York Yankees +265
5010 Oakland Athletics +4050
5011 Seattle Mariners +7250
5012 Tampa Bay Rays +850
5013 Texas Rangers +455
5014 Toronto Blue Jays +2050
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