Bettors hardly need anabolic steroids to get pumped up for a 2005 Major League Baseball season that begins with the greatest rivalry in all of sports, the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox visiting the storied Yankees in New York on Opening Day, April 3.
But players who want to get a jump on the season need not wait until opening day to place a wager.
The Greek Sportsbook already has future book prices posted on each team's chances to win the pennant and division races. There also are innovative wagers on head-to-head player matchups for base hits and pitching victories, team versus team season series prices, and which league will have the first no-hitter.
However, the most popular future book wager - with good reason - is on which team will win the World Series. In a sport where bettors can get odds 3/1 on a game only if they have the courage to wager against the likes of Johan Santana, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Tim Hudson or Mark Mulder, the future book presents a rare opportunity to grab hefty odds on a team.
What's more, beyond its intrinsic value, holding a live World Series ducat on a team or two also allows the bettor to hedge during the post-season, an option that often can be exploited in a variety of creative ways.
With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the contenders to win this year's Fall Classic:
New York Yankees: Ultimately, the Bronx Bombers couldn't overcome the loss of starting pitchers Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and David Wells last season, a deficiency that's been addressed with the off-season acquisitions of five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. They'll join holdovers Mike Mussina and Kevin Brown in a solid rotation. Mariano Rivera closes things out while Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Derek Jeter, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada lead the attack. Tino Martinez offers 1B insurance if Jason Giambi, who admitted steroid use before a federal grand jury, can't return from illness.
Anaheim Angels: There are many unanswered questions in Anaheim, not the least of which is whether Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez can take over the closer role from the departed Troy Percival. Steve Finley and Orlando Cabrera join AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson to lead the offense while the newly arrived Paul Byrd joins Bartolo Colon, John Lackey, Jarrod Washburn and Kelvim Escobar in the starting rotation.
Boston Red Sox: The Bosox captured their first October championship in 86 years, erasing a three games to none deficit to the Yankees before sweeping the Cardinals in the World Series. So why are the Red Sox just a 6.85/1-second choice to repeat? The defections of pitchers Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe could have something to do with that. Boston backers hope that the arrival of David Wells, Matt Clement and Wade Miller will offset those losses. The Red Sox have finished second to the Yankees in the AL East a record seven consecutive seasons.
St. Louis Cardinals: The Cards had to replace the middle of their defense when SS Edgar Renteria, 2B Tony Womack and C Mike Matheny defected but St. Louis finally has a true No. 1 starter in Mark Mulder (acquired from Oakland) and any lineup that boasts Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Larry Walker and Jim Edmunds will produce plenty of runs.
Chicago Cubs: Just six players remain from the team that came within a fan's reach from going to the World Series two years ago. Power hitters Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou are among the departed but the Cubs will try to do it with pitching and defense this year. The starting rotation of Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux could be the best in the league but Chicago still needs a quality closer. Emerging 3B Aramis Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra and newly arrived Jeromy Burnitz will be counted on for run production.
Atlanta Braves: With John Smoltz the only player on all 13 consecutive division championships, the Braves continue to reinvent themselves. After a three-year stint in the bullpen, Smoltz rejoins a revamped starting rotation that also features Tim Hudson (from Oakland), Mike Hampton, John Thompson and Horacio Ramirez. Dan Kolb replaces Smoltz as the closer. Chipper Jones, Marcus Giles and Rafael Furcal perform the majority of the stick work.
Minnesota Twins: AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana and Brad Radke head a pitching staff that will be further strengthened if Joe Mays can return to form. All-star Joe Nathan closes things out and the defense again is strong. Much is expected from C Joe Mauer, who missed most of last season with a knee injury. The Twins rely on Torii Hunter, Shannon Stewart and Jacque Jones to manufacture runs.
New York Mets: New GM Omar Minaya has made an immediate impact, landing Pedro Martinez to anchor a deep starting rotation that also includes Kris Benson, Victor Zambrano and Tom Glavine, and bringing in CF Carlos Beltran to spike the offense. The Mets have a solid closer in Braden Looper but need bullpen help to get to him.
Florida Marlins: With the speed of Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo at the top of the order and the power of freshly minted Carlos Delgado, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Lowell in the middle, the Marlins will score plenty of runs. The question is whether former Mets ace Al Leiter can stabilize a young pitching staff that loses Carl Pavano but retains Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Dontrelle Willis.
Houston Astros: Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, 20-game winner Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte (returning from elbow surgery) give the Astros the equivalent of three aces, a good hand whether you're playing poker or baseball. Brad Lidge earned his onions as the team's closer but the aging offense was dealt a severe blow when the multi-talented Carlos Beltran fled to New York.
Oakland Athletics: Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson are gone, leaving only Barry Zito from what was baseball's best starting troika. The A's are banking on youngsters Rich Harden, 23, Dan Meyer, 24, Danny Haren, 23, and Joe Blanton, 24, to join Zito, 27, in a new dominant rotation. New catcher Jason Kendall, Eric Chavez, Scott Hatteburg and Bobby Crosby will provide the run support.
Philadelphia Phillies: Hot-tempered Larry Bowa is history, replaced by the far calmer Charlie Manuel as the team's skipper. The Phillies hope any outbursts will come from a batting order that includes Jim Thome and Pat Burrell. Bolstered by the addition of Jon Lieber, the starting pitching staff of Cory Lidle, Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla and Brett Myers should be a team strength. Injured last year, a return to health by closer Billy Wagner could make Philadelphia a legitimate contender.
San Francisco Giants: Two additions, Moises Alou and Armando Benitez, could be enough to put the Giants over the top. The power hitting Alou (39 HR, 109 RBI in '04) will offer protection batting behind seven-time MVP Barry Bonds while Benitez is the proven closer every quality team needs. San Francisco also should be stronger defensively with former Cardinals Mike Matheny behind the plate and all-star Omar Vizquel at shortstop. The starting rotation, led by Jason Schmidt, is solid.
San Diego Padres: The Padres have made few changes to the team that was third in the NL West last year, hoping that a talented and maturing pitching staff, some added speed, and timely hitting will be enough to overcome the Giants and Dodgers. Woody Williams joins San Diego's young triumvirate of starting pitchers, Jake Peavy, Brian Lawrence and Adam Eaton, with Trevor Hoffman leading a strong bullpen crew. Dave Roberts brings speed to the top of the order ahead of professional hitters such as Phil Nevin, Brian Giles, Ryan Klesko and Mark Loretta.
Seattle Mariners: The M's suddenly are contenders again thanks largely to a revamped infield that features 3B Adrian Beltre, 1B Richie Sexson and SS Pokey Reese joining holdover 2B Bret Boone. Not only do Beltre and Sexson provide power but Seattle's infield defense should be vastly improved as well. Single season hits record holder Ichiro Suzuki will set the table at the top of the order. Joel Pineiro, Jamie Moyer, Gil Meche and Bobby Madritsch are the heart of a pitching staff that should benefit from better defense.
Los Angeles Dodgers: There's head-scratching in LA where GM Paul DePodesta has presided over the dismantling of last season's playoff team. The Dodgers failed to re-sign 3B Adrian Beltre, lost CF Steve Finley and 2B Alex Cora, as well, and traded away Shawn Green. Recent acquisitions J.D. Drew and Jeff Kent will form the nucleus of the new attack. The Dodgers again will be contenders if starters Brad Penny, Jeff Weaver, Odalis Perez and newcomer Derek Lowe can get the ball to superb closer Eric Gagne.
ODDS TO WIN THE 2005 WORLD SERIES
