2014 MLB Picks & Predictions: Top World Series Sleepers

2014 MLB Picks & Predictions: Top World Series Sleepers: Opening Day is just a few days away, and while any bet made before the start of a 162-game season comes with some risk given all that can happen between now and October, the uncertainty can also make placing a World Series bet very beneficial, especially when it comes to betting on sleeper teams to win the World Series. As the season goes on and teams begin to separate from the pack, their odds are going to improve and the potential payout is going to go down. On the flip side, pacing a bet when all the teams are essentially equal in the win/loss column gives you a chance to maximize your profit if the sleeper team you take a chance on ends up winning the World Series. Of course, this requires that you know a sleeper team or two worth betting on, and with that in mind, here is a closer look at a few World Series sleepers to consider betting on for the 2014 MLB season.

Kansas City Royals (33/1): It is easy to dismiss the Royals because they have been so bad for so long, but they quietly went 86-76 in 2013. A big reason for the success is that years of being awful have left Kansas City with a decent young core. Eric Hosmer, Salvador Pere, Alex Gordon and Billy Butler lead a lineup that ranked ninth in the AL in batting average last year, and the team’s offensive numbers should trend up a bit in 2014 with the addition of the steady bats of Omar Infante and Norichika Aoki. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s pitching has been a revelation with James Shields leading a staff that ranked sixth in ERA and third in quality starts last season. This year, youngster Yordano Ventura could make the rotation even better, and the bullpen again figures to be excellent with Greg Holland shutting the door in the ninth. Sure, Detroit could be tough to dethrone in the AL Central, but with an improving, young offense and rock solid pitching a wild-card spot and a deep playoff run are both possible.

Seattle Mariners (33/1): I’m not a believer that Robinson Cano is going to suddenly fix what was a terrible Seattle offense, but adding his bat to a lineup that has promising young players like Kyle Seager and Brad Miller will help. Meanwhile, Seattle’s starting rotation has a chance to be special this season. Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma are both Cy Young candidates and rookie Taijuan Walker has ace-caliber stuff. The bullpen should also be better in 2014 with Danny Farquhar setting up for closer Fernando Rodney. If Cano can at least help the Mariners become a middle-of-the-road offensive team, Seattle’s pitching could do the rest. Does any team really want to face Hernandez and Iwakuma come playoff time?

Cleveland Indians (40/1): The Indians were a surprise playoff team last year, and based on their 40/1 odds to win the World Series in 2014, few people are expecting a repeat of last year’s success. However, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Nick Swisher are all back to lead an offense that ranked in the top 10 in several offensive categories, including fifth in runs scored. Granted, the rotation lost a couple of starters from a year ago, but Justin Masterson, Corey Kluber and Danny Salazar still form the core of a young rotation with plenty of upside. Don’t discount the impact that manager Terry Francona has either. Banking on John Axford to return to form in the ninth is risky, but at the end of the day, the 2014 Indians look a lot like the team that won 92 games last year.

Arizona Diamondbacks (50/1): Despite a roster that wasn’t exactly intimidating, the Diamondbacks made the postseason in 2011 and have finished with an 81-81 record in each of the past two seasons. This year’s team may be the best yet from an offensive standpoint. Coming off a season when he finished second in the MVP voting, Paul Goldschmidt will anchor the lineup. He will be joined by a healthy Aaron Hill as well as newly-acquired slugger Mike Trumbo, and the trio should form a potent middle of the order. On the mound, losing ace Patrick Corbin to an elbow injury was far from ideal, but Wade Miley, Bronson Arroyo and Brandon McCarthy should lead a dependable rotation. From a betting standpoint, 50/1 odds are pretty nice for a team that has consistently overachieved and is armed with an MVP candidate.

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