2014 MLB American League Pennant Odds and Predictions: Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers

2014 MLB American League Pennant Odds and Predictions: Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers: While the National League has seen surprise teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks make some noise in the playoffs in recent years, the American League has been somewhat predictable. The AL East has consistently sent multiple teams to the postseason, while the Detroit Tigers have owned the AL Central. Of all the divisions, the AL West has seen the most fluctuation, but the Texas Rangers never seem to be far from the top spot. Looking ahead to the 2014 MLB season, it looks like it could be more of the same. With that in mind, here is a closer look at how the top contenders for the American League pennant stack up.

The Favorites

They have made it to the ALCS in each of the last three years, and the Detroit Tigers could be headed back there in 2014. After all, the lineup still has two-time defending MVP Miguel Cabrera, and the rotation still has 2011 Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, defending Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and defending ERA champ Anibal Sanchez. Adding a reliable closer like Joe Nathan to the bullpen certainly won’t hurt the cause either.

After missing out on the playoffs last year, the New York Yankees did what they do best and reloaded through free agency. They filled holes behind the plate and in the outfield by signing Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury. Meanwhile, they added Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka to a rotation that already has a couple of solid starters in CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. If veterans Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Ichiro Suzuki stay somewhat healthy and productive, the Yankees should be back contending in 2014.

The Contenders

In 2012, the Boston Red Sox finished last in the AL East. Last year, they won the World Series to cap a 28-game turnaround. This year’s team still has long-time stars David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia, and veterans Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli are back after helping the Red Sox win it all last year. Meanwhile, veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski was added in the offseason, and young players like Will Middlebrooks and Xander Bogaerts could be even better in 2014. If  Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey and Jake Peavy can all have quality years once again, and Koji Uehara can build on his brilliant end to last season, another title could be coming to Boston.

After winning the AL pennant in 2010 and 2011, an epic collapse in 2012 halted a run of dominance for the Texas Rangers. However, a busy offseason should make the Rangers a serious factor in 2014. Shin-Soo Choo was added to solidify the leadoff spot, and Prince Fielder was brought in via a trade to provide a big back in the middle of the lineup to help out Adrian Beltre and Alex Rios. With Yu Darvish giving the rotation a legit Cy Young candidate, Texas should have enough pieces in place to contend.

Sleeper Special

A series of high-priced signings have been a failure thus far, but don’t forget about the Los Angeles Angels in 2014. After all, they still have superstar Mike Trout, and if Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton can stay healthy, the middle of the lineup is still loaded. Perhaps more importantly, ace Jered Weaver will be back, and the rotation got some much-needed depth with the additions of young arms Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs. Good health could go a long way to transforming a team that was a huge disappointment last year into a contender in 2014.

Preseason Odds to win the 2014 AL Pennant

Detroit Tigers
17/4
Boston Red Sox
6/1
Tampa Bay Rays
6/1
New York Yankees
13/2
Texas Rangers
8/1
Oakland Athletics
9/1
Los Angeles Angels
11/1
Toronto Blue Jays
14/1
Baltimore Orioles
16/1
Kansas City Royals
16/1
Seattle Mariners
16/1
Cleveland Indians
20/1
Chicago White Sox
25/1
Minnesota Twins
50/1
Houston Astros
100/1

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