2013 MLB Picks and Predictions: Top World Series Sleepers

2013 MLB Picks and Predictions: Top World Series Sleepers – The World Baseball Classic is in the books, and the start of the 2013 baseball season is just a few weeks away. It is now or never for bettors looking to place a bet on a potential World Series winner with the current odds because once the season, the odds can change on a regular basis based on injuries, trades and on-field play in general. While there is nothing wrong with betting on the preseason favorites to win it all, the truth is that you can probably get similar odds a few months from now even if these teams perform well as expected. However, sleeper teams are a different story. The better a team plays and the longer the team sustains its success, the better their odds of winning get. The best way to maximize the potential payoff is to identify the potential longshot World Series contenders as soon as possible. With that in mind, here are three teams getting longer odds that have the talent and upside to make a surprise run in 2013.

Chicago White Sox (40/1): The White Sox finished last season with an 85-77 record and missed out on the AL Central Division crown by just three games, and a strong argument can be made that this year’s team should be even better. Sluggers Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Paul Konerko are all back for an offense that ranked seventh in runs scored and third in home runs last year. Meanwhile, the rotation has an emerging ace at the top in Chris Sale, and former Cy Young winner Jake Peavy make a strong No. 2. Throw in a pair of promising young starters in Jose Quintana and Hector Santiago and a bullpen full of hard throwers, and there is definite upside with this group. I’m not sure the White Sox will overthrow the Detroit Tigers for the division title, but 40/1 odds seem a little long for a team with a strong chance of grabbing a wild card spot. If the White Sox do indeed make the playoffs, Chicago’s two ace-caliber starters and power hitting lineup could make them a dangerous time.

Milwaukee Brewers (50/1): Although the Cincinnati Reds ran away with the NL Central Division title last year and could easily do the same again in 2013, the Brewers did finish 83-79 and made a push for a wild card spot last year. Milwaukee should be back in the playoff hunt this year thanks in large part to a powerful offense. Outfielder Ryan Braun and third baseman Aramis Ramirez are both back for a lineup that finished fourth in home runs and third in runs scored last year. If young players like Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura continue to develop and catcher Jonathan Lucroy returns to form after his injury, this year’s group could be even better. On the flip side, Yovani Gallardo is really the only reliable starter going into the season, but of Mike Fiers and Marco Estrada hit the ground running, the Brewers have chance to be a very good team. Not to mention that it is not the worst thing in the world to get 50/1 odds on a team that has the NL’s best hitter in its lineup in Braun.

Arizona Diamondbacks (60/1): I have to believe that the Diamondbacks 60/1 odds are mainly a product of the tough competition in the NL West and the loss of Justin Upton. It’s true that the defending World Series champion Giants and spend-happy Dodgers are standing in their way, but Zack Greinke, Carl Crawford and Hanley Ramirez are just a few of the high-priced Los Angeles players that are already hurt, which could open the door for Arizona. Meanwhile, a lineup that ranked ninth in runs scored in 2012 is still solid top to bottom with the likes of Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Hill, Martin Prado and Miguel Montero, and if highly-touted prospect Adam Eaton can be the table-setter at the top of the lineup that he is supposed to be, the Diamondbacks could score even more this year. The rotation and bullpen should also improve. Starters Trevor Cahill and Brandon McCarthy should both be fully healthy and join former 20-game winner Ian Kennedy and last year’s rookie sensation Wade Miley to form a solid group of arms. Closer J.J. Putz will also have a little help with Heath Bell brought in to handle the eighth inning. Arizona went 81-81 last year and has overachieved in back-to-back seasons. The Diamondbacks could be a steal at 60/1 odds.

2013 MLB World Series Odds
5001 Arizona Diamondbacks +5000
5002 Atlanta Braves +1500
5003 Baltimore Orioles +5000
5004 Boston Red Sox +2000
5005 Chicago Cubs +12500
5006 Chicago White Sox +4000
5007 Cincinnati Reds +850
5008 Cleveland Indians +10000
5009 Colorado Rockies +12500
5010 Detroit Tigers +800
5011 Houston Astros +35000
5012 Kansas City Royals +5000
5013 Los Angeles Angels +600
5014 Los Angeles Dodgers +650
5015 Miami Marlins +25000
5016 Milwaukee Brewers +6500
5017 Minnesota Twins +10000
5018 New York Mets +8800
5019 New York Yankees +1300
5020 Oakland Athletics +3500
5021 Philadelphia Phillies +1600
5022 Pittsburgh Pirates +8000
5023 San Diego Padres +10000
5024 San Francisco Giants +1000
5025 Seattle Mariners +10000
5026 St Louis Cardinals +2000
5027 Tampa Bay Rays +1600
5028 Texas Rangers +1600
5029 Toronto Blue Jays +800
5030 Washington Nationals +800

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