by Will Rogers
Monday, Feb 12, 2024The NFL season is in the rear view mirror but it's still a very busy time with basketball, hockey and soccer all going strong. Things will get even crazier, once the "Madness" hits next month. Then, before you can even catch your breath from the NCAA Tournament, baseball season begins. Though my primary focus remains on the sports currently being played, I also like to use the second half of February to catch up on my favorite sport. My last column included a 10-1 long-shot prop winner on the Chiefs and 49ers to go to Overtime. I close this edition with a 12-1 World Series Futures play.
Spring Training Is A Week Away
Spring Training starts on February 22nd, the Dodgers taking on the Padres. Within the exhibition season, there are some interesting games. The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will play pair of games at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on March 9-10. The following week, on March 14-19, the inaugural edition of the "Spring Breakout" will take place. Sixteeen games will be played between teams comprised of each MLB organization's top 20-25 prospects. The regular season begins on March 28th. I can't wait to hear them say "Play Ball!"
The Rich Get Richer
Shohei Ohtani dominated the offseason headlines. In case you somehow missed it, the 2-way superstar signed a record-breaking deal with the Dodgers. As if that wasn't enough, the Dodgers proceeded to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, among the most hyped players to ever come from Japan, to a 12-year $325,000,000 deal. Yamamoto has outstanding stuff, and won three straight "Sawamura awards" in Japan, the NPB's version of the Cy Young Award. It comes as no surprise that the Dodgers are favored to win the World Series. They top the current future odds from Draft Kings.
World Series Future Odds
Spring Training Is A Week Away
Spring Training starts on February 22nd, the Dodgers taking on the Padres. Within the exhibition season, there are some interesting games. The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays will play pair of games at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on March 9-10. The following week, on March 14-19, the inaugural edition of the "Spring Breakout" will take place. Sixteeen games will be played between teams comprised of each MLB organization's top 20-25 prospects. The regular season begins on March 28th. I can't wait to hear them say "Play Ball!"
The Rich Get Richer
Shohei Ohtani dominated the offseason headlines. In case you somehow missed it, the 2-way superstar signed a record-breaking deal with the Dodgers. As if that wasn't enough, the Dodgers proceeded to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, among the most hyped players to ever come from Japan, to a 12-year $325,000,000 deal. Yamamoto has outstanding stuff, and won three straight "Sawamura awards" in Japan, the NPB's version of the Cy Young Award. It comes as no surprise that the Dodgers are favored to win the World Series. They top the current future odds from Draft Kings.
World Series Future Odds
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +360
- Atlanta Braves: +450
- Houston Astros: +800
- New York Yankees: +1000
- Baltimore Orioles: +1200
- Texas Rangers: +1400
- Philadelphia Phillies: +1500
- Minnesota Twins: +2000
- Toronto Blue Jays: +2000
- Seattle Mariners: +2000
- Chicago Cubs: +2800
- St. Louis Cardinals: +3500
- Tampa Bay Rays: +3500
- Arizona Diamondbacks: +3500
- New York Mets: +4000
- Cincinnati Reds: +4500
- San Diego Padres: +5000
- Boston Red Sox: +5000
- San Francisco Giants: +5500
- Detroit Tigers: +6000
- Cleveland Guardians: +7000
- Miami Marlins: +7000
- Milwaukee Brewers: +10000
- Kansas City Royals: +13000
- Pittsburgh Pirates: +15000
- Los Angeles Angels: +15000
- Washington Nationals: +20000
- Chicago White Sox: +25000
- Colorado Rockies: +40000
- Oakland Athletics: +40000
Free Play (Baltimore at +1200 to Win the World Series)
The American League East is a tough place to play. The Yankees are always stacked. The Blue Jays are seemingly always on the door-step. The Rays have been strong in recent years. The Red Sox aren't that far removed from being World Series champions. However, this year's best team hails from Baltimore. The signing of Corbin Burnes didn't get the attention of some of the other deals but it may be just what the Orioles needed to put them over the top. Remember, this is a stacked team which won 101 games last year, more than anyone besides Atlanta. If they stay healthy, the Orioles could potentially be even better this year. I'm using the current Draft Kings odds of +1200, as that's what most people have access to. If you can, make sure shop around. Baltimore is currently +1327 at Pinnacle.
