Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but value is in the pen of the oddsmaker. And the oddsmakers at
The Greek Sportsbook have determined that the Yankees chances of winning the 2004 World Series now are significantly better than they were before New York put Alex Rodriguez in pin stripes. Accordingly, the price on the Bronx Bombers was reduced from 3/1 to 2/1 after the team acquired the American League MVP from Texas, in February.
The real beauty is that bettors get to decide if the oddsmakers are correct.
Major League Baseball, which swings into it full schedule this month, offers daily wagering action through September. But it is only through future book wagering that bettors can reap double digit rewards on "America's Pastime."
In fact, that's exactly what's happened each of the last three seasons as the 10/1 Diamondbacks in 2001, the 60/1 Angels in 2002 and the 75/1 Marlins last year all denied the favored Yankees a World Series flag.
So while the Yankees are favored, they're anything but a lock, offering players who prefer contenders, second tier teams, or attractive-priced longshots, hope for the new season. With that in mind, let's take a look at the prime candidates to win their last game in October:
New York Yankees: You can't fault a lineup that includes Rodriguez, as well as all-stars or former all-stars such as team captain Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield (acquired in free agency), Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Hideki Matsui and Kenny Lofton. The concern is on the mound where starters Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and David Wells all have new zip codes this spring. Holdover hurlers Mike Mussina and Jose Contreras will be joined by Jon Lieber, who is attempting a comeback after Tommy John surgery, along with newcomers Kevin Brown and Javier Vasquez. Two more fresh arms, Paul Quantrill and Tom Gordon, will be the bridges to closer Mariano Rivera.
Boston Red Sox: While New York's signing of Rodriguez hurts Boston, the Bosox still have the potential to beat the Yankees in the AL East. Curt Schilling joins a starting rotation that includes ace Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and Boston finally has a legitimate closer in Keith Foulke, who was acquired from the A's. The Red Sox are a solid hitting outfit but after the non-trades of Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra, team chemistry is a concern.
Chicago Cubs: If a National League team wins the World Series, it just might be the Cubs. Chicago strengthened an already premier starting rotation of Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano and Matt Clement when they reached into the free agent market to snare Greg Maddux. The team also picked up set-up man LaTroy Hawkins and added some needed punch to the every day lineup when they inked Golden Glove 1B Derrek Lee.
Anaheim Angels: Anaheim, which won it all a couple of years ago, could again be a threat this season. The Angels strengthened their starting pitching by adding Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar to a rotation that also boasts Jarrod Washburn, Ramon Ortiz and John Lackey. Free agent newcomers Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Guillen fortify a lineup with plenty of run producing potential. Troy Perceival is a reliable closer.
Houston Astros: Central Division rival Houston should challenge Chicago for NL supremacy. The Astros raided the Yankees to add Clemens and Pettitte to an already strong rotation that includes Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller and Tim Redding. The lineup returns intact but Octavio Dotel has big cleats to fill in taking over the closer duties from the departed (to Philadelphia) Billy Wagner.
Oakland Athletics: Not many teams would be able to lose MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada and reliable closer Keith Foulke and still be considered a playoff threat but not many teams have the starting pitching that the A's have, either. Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson are at the top of the rotation with Mark Redman, who won 14 games for the champion Marlins last season, also in the fold. Rich Harden, who impressed last season, completes the five-man rotation. New bats include outfielders Mark Kotsay and Bobby Kielty, as well as Bobby Crosby, who takes over at shortstop for the departed Tejada. Arthur Rhodes inherits the closer role.
San Francisco Giants: The Giants have a lot of unanswered questions but any team with six-time MVP Barry Bonds has to be considered a serious contender. The main concern is with a pitching staff that lost Sidney Ponson to Baltimore and where ace Jason Schmidt and closer Robb Nen are coming back after arm surgeries. A.J. Pierzynski, acquired a trade with Minnesota, is an upgrade over departed the Benito Santiago behind the plate.
Arizona Diamondbacks: The D-backs are trying to remain competitive despite payroll cuts, no easy task. Returning from knee surgery, Randy Johnson is the ace of a staff that will miss Schilling. Casey Fossum, acquired in the Schilling trade with Boston, will be asked to produce immediately. Arizona hopes that the additions of 1B Richie Sexson and 2B Roberto Alomar will add a little more pop to the lineup.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers had the best pitching (3.16 ERA) in the Major Leagues last season... and the worst hitting (.243) but little has been done to change the latter. The main additions are outfielders Juan Encarnacion and Bubba Trammell. Meanwhile, LA's best hurler, Kevin Brown, has been shipped off to New York for Jeff Weaver. Of course, the Dodgers do still have the best reliever in the game in Eric Gagne, who has saved a record 63 consecutive games.
Philadelphia Phillies: A glaring bullpen need has been addressed with the addition of Billy Wagner from the Astros, and the Phillies also strengthened their starting rotation with the acquisition of LHP Eric Milton from the Twins. Milton joins Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Brett Myers and Randy Wolf. With slugger Jim Thome and Mike Lieberthal addressing run production, the Phillies should have a very good shot at finally dislodging the Braves atop the NL East.
Atlanta Braves: The 2004 Braves bear little resemblance to the teams that won 12 straight division titles. Gone are P Greg Maddux, OF Gary Sheffield and C Javy Lopez. The pitching staff has only two proven starters - Russ Ortiz and Mike Hampton - and the infield has new starters at the corners. But the cupboard isn't bare. Chipper Jones, Rafael Furcal, Andruw Jones and Marcus Giles provide Atlanta with prowess at the plate.
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners are counting on a more productive offense to overtake the A's and Angels in the highly competitive AL West. Among the newcomers are SS Rich Aurilia, 3B Scott Spiezio and LF Raul Ibanez. They'll join Ichiro Suzuki, Bret Boone, John Olerud and Randy Winn in a solid lineup. Jamie Moyer, Joel Pineiro and Freddy Garcia pace the starters. Eddie Guardado, from Minnesota, takes over the closer role from Kazuhiro Sasaki, who returned to Japan.
Minnesota Twins: There's concern in the bullpen where the Twins not only lost closer Eddie Guardado but set-up man LaTroy Hawkins, as well. That's put pressure on starters Brad Radke, Kyle Lohse and Johan Santana. Minnesota, which is a good defensive team, relies on Shannon Stewart, Torii Hunter. Jacque Jones and Doug Mientkiewicz for its offensive fireworks.
St. Louis Cardinals: Signing Triple Crown threat Albert Pujols to a multi-year contract solidifies an attack that features CF Jim Edmonds, 3B Scott Rolen, SS Edgar Renteria and C Mike Matheny. Matt Morris, Woody Williams and Chris Carpenter are the mound mainstays, joined this year by newcomers Jason Marquis and Jeff Suppan.
San Diego Padres: The Padres move into a new ballpark with a new lineup that includes CF Jay Payton setting up between RF Brian Giles and LF Ryan Klesko. LHP David Wells, if he can remain healthy, gives San Diego a proven winner at the top of the rotation. The Padres could surprise, especially if the young pitching staff of Brian Lawrence, Adam Eaton and Jake Peavey matures and premier closer Trevor Hoffman returns to his old form after shoulder surgery.
Chicago White Sox: New manager Ozzie Guillen brings passion to his role but motivating moody DH Frank Thomas could be a big hurt in itself. The starting rotation includes Esteban Loaiza, Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland and Scott Schoenweis, who is being converted from a reliever. Magglio Ordonez, Paul Konerko and Thomas are the major offensive threats.
Florida Marlins: The World Champions lost C Ivan Rodriguez, 1B Derrek Lee, RF Juan Encarnacion, LHP Mark Redman and closer Ugueth Urbina from last season's World Series outfit. Miracles aside, it looks like "one and done" in South Florida.
In addition to World Series wagering,
The Greek Sportsbook also is offering pennant and division odds as well as a bevy of propositions, including over/unders on regular season wins and player-versus-player matchups for more hits, home runs and pitching victories. There's even a prop on which team will be the first to score 13 runs in a game and which manager will be the first to be fired or resign.
ODDS TO WIN THE 2004 WORLD SERIES
