Tagged: World Series

3 reasons why: Chicago Cubs will win the World Series

As the 2016 season approaches, I will be taking a look at the 10 teams with the best odds of winning the World Series and examining three reasons why each may ultimately hoist the trophy. Today’s team:

Chicago Cubs (4/1 odds to win World Series): It has to happen eventually, right? Although the Cubs haven’t won the World Series since 1908, there’s no way that streak can live on forever. The folks in and around Wrigleyville thought they had a chance to host a parade in 2015, but perhaps 2016 will be the year. There’s plenty of reason for optimism.

Young, talented roster: The Cubs have built from the ground up. The front office did a good job bolstering the Minor League system and all that patience and acquired talent is paying dividends. The Cubs are not only loaded with talent, but they’re loaded with young talent. Six of the club’s eight projected positional starters are 26 years old or younger. And if that’s not enough youth, the organization showed off its depth as it placed six prospects on MLBpipeline.com’s Top 100 list.

Strong off-season: Winning 97 games is a major accomplishment, but the Cubs 2015 season ended in disappointment. Looking ahead to 2016, that’s a good thing. Not only do the Cubs have new motivation, but they also went out and got some key players. Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist are the two headliners, but don’t discount the addition of John Lackey either. Heyward gives the Cubs a Gold Glove outfielder, Zobrist gives manager Joe Maddon a versatile player that can be utilized in numerous roles and Lackey provides the team and rotation with another strong veteran presence.

Jed Hoyer, Theo Epstein, Joe Maddon: Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein have reversed a curse before (2004 Red Sox) and have shown a desire to do the same in Chicago. The Cubs built their core through the draft and have made big free agent splashes each of the last two years – Jon Lester and Jason Heyward – to fill in the gaps. Hoyer and Epstein certainly know how to build a team and although the Cubs look solid right now, it’s hard to predict what the team may need in the middle of the season. No need to worry though, Hoyer and Epstein and clearly willing to be aggressive and have a strong desire to win. So if it becomes apparent the Cubs need to acquire a player, it’s a safe bet the front office will certainly try. If having a strong front office wasn’t enough, the Cubs also have one of the best managers in the game in Joe Maddon. The three Manager of the Year Awards serve as validation, but Maddon’s numbers speak for themselves. Maddon has managed 10 full Major League seasons and has a winning record in seven of them.

Betting Odds for the 2015 Baseball Season

With Spring Training just about to begin, it’s that time of year where every fan base believes their team has a shot to win the World Series.

While some teams are more likely to win it then others, anything can happen and that’s what makes sports so enjoyable.

However, the odds of every team hoisting a trophy in late October are not all equal, which makes those surprise runs by teams no one saw coming all the more enjoyable to witness. But how do we know who the favorites and underdogs are? Well…

Bovada.com – a gambling website – has released its odds to win the AL, NL and World Series.

Bovada gives the Angels and Red Sox the best odds to win the AL, but the best odds to win the World Series are given to the Nationals and Dodgers.

Here’s a look at every team’s odds to win the World Series:

Washington Nationals 13/2

Los Angeles Dodgers 17/2

Boston Red Sox 10/1

Chicago Cubs 10/1

Los Angeles Angels 12/1

St. Louis Cardinals 12/1

San Diego Padres 14/1

Chicago White Sox 16/1

Detroit Tigers 16/1

San Francisco Giants 16/1

Seattle Mariners 16/1

Toronto Blue Jays 22/1

Oakland Athletics 25/1

Baltimore Orioles 28/1

New York Mets 28/1

New York Yankees 28/1

Cleveland Indians 33/1

Kansas City Royals 33/1

Miami Marlins 33/1

Pittsburgh Pirates 33/1

Houston Astros 50/1

Texas Rangers 50/1

Atlanta Braves 66/1

Cincinnati Reds 66/1

Milwaukee Brewers 66/1

Tampa Bay Rays 66/1

Arizona Diamondbacks 100/1

Minnesota Twins 100/1

Colorado Rockies 150/1

Philadelphia Phillies 150/1

Odds to win NL:

Nationals 13/4

Dodgers 19/4

Cubs 6/1

Padres 13/2

Cardinals 13/2

Giants 8/1

Mets 14/1

Pirates 14/1

Marlins 16/1

Braves 28/1

Reds 28/1

Brewers 33/1

Diamondbacks 50/1

Rockies 75/1

Phillies 75/1

Odds to win the AL:

Red Sox 11/2

Angels 11/2

White Sox 7/1

Mariners 7/1

Tigers 15/2

Blue Jays 10/1

Yankees 12/1

A’s 12/1

Orioles 14/1

Indians 14/1

Rangers 22/1

Astros 28/1

Rays 33/1

Twins 50/1

Quick Thoughts:

– I wonder when the last time the Mets and Yankees began the season with the same odds to win it all.

– Five of the top seven teams are in the NL, but three of bottom four are in NL as well.

– A World Series between the Angels and Dodgers isn’t too far fetched.

– In Bovada’s view, the NL appears to be top heavy, with the AL being the more balanced league. This is also reflected in the odds to win each league.

– The Cubs off season moves have certainly grabbed everyone’s attention.

– Not a ton of confidence in the Giants going back-to-back.

All-Star Game Reflections

Once again, Major League Baseball proved it has the best All-Star Game in all of sports.

Last night provided baseball fans with plenty of memorable moments. In short, the 2014 All-Star Game was fantastic.

The baseball community was treated to a celebration of Derek Jeter’s career. The Captain went 2-2, made a diving stop on defense and left the game to a heartwarming standing ovation.

Mike Trout went 2-3 with two RBIs and won the games MVP Award and seemingly took over as the face of MLB in the process.

The Minnesota Twins battery of Kurt Suzuki and Glen Perkins closed the game in front of their home town fans.

The list of great moments goes on and on and it truly was a great exhibition of baseball.

But that’s just it. It’s an exhibition.

If baseball wants to drive interest into the Midsummer Classic and award home-field advantage in the World Series to the league that wins the game, that’s fine, but go all in.

If the game really counts fans should not vote for the starters. The managers should each pick a set number of deserving players and go from there. Clayton Kershaw should have pitched six or so innings and the position players should have played all nine.

Sixty two players appeared in last night’s game. Does that sound like teams are really trying to win? To me, it sounds like the managers are doing their best to make sure everyone gets in – and that’s fine by me.

Baseball has this really awkward situation on their hands as it claims the All-Star Game matters, but acts as if it doesn’t.

Last night’s All-Star Game felt like an exhibition throughout. It was a showcase of the top talent of the league and that’s exactly how it needs to be.

Home-field advantage for the World Series can be decided any number of other ways, just don’t mess with the All-Star Game.