MLB odds: Is now a good time to bet on the Boston Red Sox?

By Sam Panayotovich
FOX Sports activities Betting Analyst

The Boston Crimson Sox aren’t successful the American League East this season, however that doesn’t imply the group isn’t constructed for a deep playoff run.

Boston is buried 14 video games behind the first-place New York Yankees, and its odds to win the division are a colossal 40-1 at FOX Guess. (Don’t even give it some thought). That being stated, the percentages have gone the opposite approach within the American League pennant market.

Across the first week of Could, the Crimson Sox have been as excessive as 35-1 to symbolize the American League within the World Collection. Quick-forward to at present, and people odds have been slashed precipitously. 

FOX Guess is dealing Boston at 11-1 ($100 wins $1,100) to be the final group standing within the junior circuit.

AL pennant odds through FOX Guess:

New York Yankees: +175 (wager $10 to win $27.50 whole)
Houston Astros: +245 (wager $10 to win $34.50 whole)
Toronto Blue Jays: +550 (wager $10 to win $65 whole)
Boston Crimson Sox: +1100 (wager $10 to win $120 whole)
Tampa Bay Rays: +1300 (wager $10 to win $140 whole)
Chicago White Sox: +1400 (wager $10 to win $150 whole)
Minnesota Twins: +2000 (wager $10 to win $210 whole)
Cleveland Guardians: +3500 (wager $10 to win $360 whole)

“The Yankee quantity is truthful, however there’s no approach I’m taking part in something shy of 2-1 on a favourite to win something,” one skilled bettor advised FOX Sports activities. “It’s virtually a case of the Yankees being so dominant that it makes the costs higher on each different group within the American League.

“For those who’re prepared to brief the Yankees, you’re getting a good shake.”

Houston is the clear-cut second favourite at +245, however issues get actually attention-grabbing after line two. Three AL East groups comply with the Astros, however the order doesn’t make a lot sense.

Boston (+1100) and Tampa Bay (+1300) at present maintain a half-game lead on Toronto (+550) within the Wild Card race, but Toronto’s odds are decidedly decrease. There’s clearly some legal responsibility in-built as a result of the Blue Jays have been a preseason darling for a lot of bettors and pundits. 

However come on.

That’s a complete lot of disrespect on a group that was actually two wins away from taking part in within the World Collection a season in the past. 

“The Crimson Sox have the arms to compete towards the Yankees’ lineup within the postseason,” the bettor opined. “They’ve been doing lots of heavy lifting with out guys like Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi and haven’t missed a beat.

“That lineup has loads of thump with [Rafael] Devers, [Xander] Bogaerts, [J.D.] Martinez and [Trevor] Story and Kike [Hernandez] was a menace within the playoffs final yr. The Sox bullpen has some holes, which they should handle down the stretch.

“However they’ve the sources to bolster the roster on the deadline.”

The bullpen will get a substantial increase quickly when Josh Taylor and Garrett Whitlock return from the disabled listing, and the pitching workers will likely be way more formidable if guys like James Paxton can contribute down the stretch.

A rotation with Eovaldi, Sale and Nick Pivetta may be harmful in a best-of-three playoff sequence —  one other new wrinkle this yr — towards both Minnesota, Chicago, Cleveland, Tampa Bay or Toronto within the first spherical.

As Boston proved final postseason, it could get sizzling in a rush. 

The Crimson Sox aren’t the perfect American League group on paper by any stretch of the creativeness, however there’s completely no cause they need to have double-digit odds to win the pennant.

If the Yankees flame out, something is feasible. 

Sam Panayotovich is a sports activities betting analyst for FOX Sports activities and NESN. He beforehand labored for WGN Radio, NBC Sports activities and VSiN. He’ll in all probability decide towards your favourite group. Observe him on Twitter @spshoot.