Baseball Playoff Odds

Major League Baseball Playoff Odds

Major League Baseball doesn't waste any time when it comes to moving ahead with the playoffs. The regular season ended Wednesday and the playoffs begin on Friday, so there isn't much time for players or bettors to get prepared for the post-season. There isn't much time for the sportsbook to get their numbers together, either, but most had odds posted by Thursday afternoon.

In this article we'll look at all the different wagering possibilities bettors have in the playoffs, beginning with odds to win the World Series.

Baseball bets are made using the money line so a good understanding of how that concept works will be beneficial before continuing on.

All odds were taken Friday, Sept. 30, from The Greek, one of the best sportsbooks around.

Odds to Win the 2011 World Series

Philadelphia +170
New York Yankees +355
Texas Rangers +725
Milwaukee Brewers +850
Detroit Tigers +875
Tampa Bay +900
St. Louis Cardinals +1250
Arizona Diamondbacks +1450

It's no surprise the Phillies are favored. They have a solid pitching staff and an above-average offense, although their .253 batting average is a bit of a concern. Still, when you send out Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hammels and Roy Oswalt to the mound, you're in pretty good shape.

The Yankees and Tigers each have one of the best pitchers in baseball, but a definite drop-off after that, and will have to outscore the opponent, while Texas is probably the most well-rounded team in the American League and Tampa Bay has a deep rotation.

The Brewers have a decent rotation, with Yovani Gallardo and Shaun Marcum, joined by Zack Greinke and Randy Wolf, and have a chance.

The Cardinals pitching staff is adequate and the team can score some runs, while Arizona has some solid arms of their own.

Odds to Win the American League Pennant

New York +125
Texas +250
Detroit +350
Tampa Bay +475

Odds to Win the National League Pennant Philadelphia -170
Milkwaukee +375
St. Louis +625
Arizona +625

No real surprises in either of the pennant offerings, but have to believe the Yankees are getting a bit too much respect from the oddsmakers and the betting public.

Odds to Win Each Divisional Series

New York -150, Detroit +130
Texas -165, Tampa Bay +145
Milwaukee -160, Arizona +140
Philadelphia -285, St. Louis +245

One reason I mentioned the Yankees getting too much respect is that they are solid favorites to win the American League, but the smallest of the four divisional series favorites. Beating Justin Verlander twice, if it comes to that, will be no easy task, which helps explain the low odds on New York.

Game 1 Odds

Texas -175, Tampa Bay +165 Total: 8.5 over -120
New York -128, Detroit +118 Total: 7 over -115
Milwaukee -135, Arizona +125 Total 7 over -120
Philadelphia -215, St. Louis +195 Total 7 over -115

Who to Bet On

Now that we have all the odds, we have to figure out what to do with them.

For winning the World Series, the team that offers the best value is probably the Texas Rangers. At slightly better than 7-to-1 odds, the Rangers may well be worth a look.

The odds on the Rangers aren't quite so enticing when it comes to winning the American League, as Texas has gone from +320 to +250, which has removed much of the value. If you can find them at 3-to-1 or better, they are worth a look.

In the National League, it's hard to go against the Phillies, but their odds make it difficult to go with them, as well.

Looking at the odds for each divisonal series, the Tigers and Diamondbacks are a pair on enticing underdogs who could well be worth a look. The difference between the favorites and the underdogs isn't all that great and we're getting generous odds with both.
Good luck and have fun this postseason.