Spring Training 2019 odds: what's the smart bet for the World Series?
Feb 4, 2019 19:51:07 GMT
millar70 likes this
Post by nutsberryfarm 🏜 on Feb 4, 2019 19:51:07 GMT
bleacherreport.com/articles/2818372-spring-training-2019-way-too-early-world-series-odds-for-every-mlb-team
The Orioles have spent the offseason shaking up their power structure following the ousters of general manager Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter. They've done well in this regard, yet their roster has gone neglected.
Their Manny Machado-less offense is positioned to be MLB's worst. They've also done nothing to improve a pitching staff that finished 2018 with an MLB-high 5.18 ERA. Said pitching staff will suffer from a defense that finished dead-last in efficiency last year.
The Orioles might have a shot at the World Series if some kind of curse afflicts the rest of MLB. Failing that, this year will be about taking their lumps while they try to build up their No. 20 farm system.
Odds: 1,000-1
The Cleveland Indians have succeeded in their quest to cut payroll, but their roster is worse off because of it.
Gone via free agency are Michael Brantley, Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and Josh Donaldson. The trade market has claimed Yan Gomes, Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso. Cleveland's lineup and bullpen, respectively, look especially inferior relative to last year as a result.
Yet the situation in Cleveland is far from hopeless.
Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez are the most dynamic offensive duo in baseball right now. Cleveland's rotation led MLB in FanGraphs WAR in 2018, and Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber are back for more in 2019. Meanwhile, the Indians bullpen at least still has Brad Hand and Adam Cimber.
As per usual, the Indians are looking at little resistance along the path through the AL Central. If any of the three superteams in the American League (more on them soon) hit any walls this season, Cleveland's road to the World Series will be easier than it was in 2018.
Odds: 19-1
Outlook
The Colorado Rockies had to overcome a top-heavy lineup and an erratic bullpen last year, so it's hard to argue with numbers that suggest they were lucky to win 91 games.
To their credit, though, the Rockies were legitimately good in the second half. It helped that Kyle Freeland and German Marquez pitched like aces and that their bullpen squared itself away.
The Rockies will miss Adam Ottavino from said bullpen, but they'll be fine if Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee adhere to their track records. Newcomer Daniel Murphy, a healthy David Dahl and the eventual promotion of Brendan Rodgers (MLB.com's No. 10 prospect) will take some of the offensive load off the shoulders of Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon.
A team like this should have a better chance of advancing in the postseason than last year's iteration. But unless the Dodgers cede ground atop the NL West, getting there will be the hard part.
Odds: 40-1
The Orioles have spent the offseason shaking up their power structure following the ousters of general manager Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter. They've done well in this regard, yet their roster has gone neglected.
Their Manny Machado-less offense is positioned to be MLB's worst. They've also done nothing to improve a pitching staff that finished 2018 with an MLB-high 5.18 ERA. Said pitching staff will suffer from a defense that finished dead-last in efficiency last year.
The Orioles might have a shot at the World Series if some kind of curse afflicts the rest of MLB. Failing that, this year will be about taking their lumps while they try to build up their No. 20 farm system.
Odds: 1,000-1
The Cleveland Indians have succeeded in their quest to cut payroll, but their roster is worse off because of it.
Gone via free agency are Michael Brantley, Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and Josh Donaldson. The trade market has claimed Yan Gomes, Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso. Cleveland's lineup and bullpen, respectively, look especially inferior relative to last year as a result.
Yet the situation in Cleveland is far from hopeless.
Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez are the most dynamic offensive duo in baseball right now. Cleveland's rotation led MLB in FanGraphs WAR in 2018, and Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber are back for more in 2019. Meanwhile, the Indians bullpen at least still has Brad Hand and Adam Cimber.
As per usual, the Indians are looking at little resistance along the path through the AL Central. If any of the three superteams in the American League (more on them soon) hit any walls this season, Cleveland's road to the World Series will be easier than it was in 2018.
Odds: 19-1
Outlook
The Colorado Rockies had to overcome a top-heavy lineup and an erratic bullpen last year, so it's hard to argue with numbers that suggest they were lucky to win 91 games.
To their credit, though, the Rockies were legitimately good in the second half. It helped that Kyle Freeland and German Marquez pitched like aces and that their bullpen squared itself away.
The Rockies will miss Adam Ottavino from said bullpen, but they'll be fine if Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee adhere to their track records. Newcomer Daniel Murphy, a healthy David Dahl and the eventual promotion of Brendan Rodgers (MLB.com's No. 10 prospect) will take some of the offensive load off the shoulders of Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon.
A team like this should have a better chance of advancing in the postseason than last year's iteration. But unless the Dodgers cede ground atop the NL West, getting there will be the hard part.
Odds: 40-1
