posted February 25, 2008 at 18:57 in MLB Articles

I have a friend who will put some money on the NBA, some money on the NFL, maybe play a horse or two, play a few hands in the BetUS Poker Room, and then jump all over Major League Baseball once it starts. Because baseball is rarely a glamorous sport, a lot of part-time BetUS MLB bettors take the summer off.

Boo to them! Baseball provides some of the best opportunities for full-time sports gamblers. I recently wrote an article about how a real BetUS gambler needs to study all of their opportunities. Baseball is another opportunity.

In this article, I’m going to highlight each team in the AL Central Division. Since we are about eight weeks or so away from the baseball season truly starting, it makes sense to start by looking at each division.

Don’t worry, there is plenty of time to get to the World Series and which teams have good chances, according to price, and which do not.

American League Central Division

Detroit Tigers (BetUS odds – 220) = The Tigers are impressive only because they are a rather small market team but found a way to sign both Dontrelle Willis, one of the top pitching free agents in the majors over the off-season, and Miguel Cabrera. Both guys should pay huge dividends. In particular, I think Willis will have a fantastic year. It’s going to take about a year or two for those AL batters to understand how Willis likes to deliver his various pitches. That could spell a lot of wins for the Tigers. Justin Verlander, the ace for Detroit, can be a shut-down pitcher, and their starting line-up, with Ivan Rodriguez batting eighth this year, means that it will be difficult for any opposing pitcher to walk anybody. They will be solid defensively. Of course, the main reason to like Detroit is the fact that manager Jim Leyland barely lets a bad play or a tough game get to him. I doubt the man’s pulse barely gets over 62. That means Detroit is all about business. Are the BetUS odds fair? Usually, I’d scoff at these odds, but the Tigers should very, very good this year. So, yes, the BetUS odds are fair.

Cleveland Indians (BetUS odds + 190) = The Indians aren’t a bad team, but they didn’t make any big moves over the off-season that tells me they will compete versus the Detroit Tigers. Still, if there is one team in this division who should make a run at the Tigers, it should be this team. They too have a very good rotation led by C.C. Sabathia and because the MLB season is so long, I’m sure they are going to give whoever bets on them a nice thrill. But, really, the BetUS odds of + 190 on the Indians provides no value whatsoever. Not when the Tigers are in this division.

Minnesota Twins (BetUS odds of + 2000) = 20 to 1 on a team that always competes early in the season seems like good odds. Unfortunately for the Twins, they don’t have the bats or pitchers to keep it going for a 162 game season. I love the Twins because they always fight hard, but seriously, they aren’t that good. The Tigers would have to pretty much implode, which is unlikely considering how brilliant Jim Leyland is, for the Twins to have any shot. Then, the Indians would need to implode. Both teams in one year? I don’t think so.

Chicago White Sox (BetUS odds of + 1500) = Want a long-shot in this division that could provide some needed school girl type giggles? Look no further then the 15 to 1 Chicago White Sox! The BetUS odds are very juicy on a three years removed from a World Series. Sure, they aren’t the same team they were in 2005, but crazy man Ozzie Guillen is still in charge. That makes me feel better. His guys will play for him and that’s all you can ask out of a 15 to 1 shot. If injuries hit the Tigers hard, which is always possible, this is the team I like, because of their BetUS MLB odds, to pick up the slack and win the division.

Kansas City Royals (BetUS odds of +5000) = Uh…these guys are still in the league? Sorry, no chance. Sure, they will upset some teams during the season - - the season is 162 games long! But, these guys are awful. Just awful. Becky - - heck, Becky, I have nothing to say about this team!

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