Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson has heated up offensively over the past week. (Photo credit: apardavila via DesignHunt / CC BY)
A week ago, we posted how it might be a good time to bet the Blue Jays to win the World Series, noting how they appeared to be turning things around.
At the time, Pinnacle (www.Pinnacle.com) was offering the Blue Jays at 18:1 on the 2016 World Series betting odds.
Not much has happened over the past week to change our minds on that.
Blue Jays offence has woken up
The Jays have gone 4-4 since we posted that article, winning 3 of 4 versus the Phillies, dropping 2 of 3 in Baltimore and then losing Monday to Arizona. The bigger plus, however, has been the continued improvement of the bats, which were the biggest factor in Toronto’s slow start to the year.
In those 8 games, the Jays erupted for double-digits in runs 3 times, scored 7 runs once and collected 6 in Sunday’s loss to the Orioles. Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion keyed the offensive surge, combining for 6 home runs and 16 RBI over the past week. The pleasant surprise that has been Michael Saunders added 9 RBI in that span.
Sports Interaction, which lists the Blue Jays fifth on their World Series odds at 10:1, has also noticed the Jays’ improved play of late. In a blog post last week at www.SportsInteraction.com, they highlighted how Toronto actually owned a better record June 15 of this year (37-31) than they did last season (34-31).
Will the Blue Jays add a star before the trade deadline?
A big factor in the Blue Jays World Series chances will be whether they make any significant deals this season.
Last year, the Jays took off after acquiring Troy Tulowitzki, David Price and LaTroy Hawkins in July. But now they have a more conservative GM in Mark Shapiro, and the farm system isn’t as deep because of what they had to give up to make the 2015 trades.
“Also working against the Jays in 2016 is that the AL East is much better,” the Sports Interaction post pointed out.
“Only Toronto and the Yankees finished above .500 from the division last year, but it’s easy to see everyone but the Yankees do so this season. The Orioles and especially the Red Sox, who signed Price to a mega-deal in free agency this past winter, are much improved.”
Other American League World Series favourites
The Texas Rangers are currently the biggest roadblocks in the Blue Jays’ road to the American League championship, tied with San Francisco for second on the Sports Interaction 2016 World Series odds at 13 to 2.
However, Texas has concerns about ace pitcher Yu Darvish’s health after he went on the DL with tightness in his shoulder. He’ll be on a strict innings limit the rest of the way – if he can even stay healthy – but you can’t forget that the Rangers gave the Blue Jays all they could handle in last year’s playoffs despite the fact Darvish was sidelined (Tommy John surgery).
Cubs remain World Series betting favourite
Here are Sports Interaction‘s thoughts on several other 2016 World Series picks you might want to consider:
The Chicago Cubs, who haven’t won a World Series since 1908 or played in one since 1945, opened the season as betting favourites on MLB odds to win the Fall Classic and they remain atop the list by a wide margin at 13 to 4. The Cubs had the best record in baseball through 64 games (44-20), the top run differential and the largest division lead. They should be favoured.
The Los Angeles Dodgers could be great betting value right now at 20 to 1 to win their first World Series since 1988. Would you bet against L.A. in any postseason game in which Clayton Kershaw pitched? True, the three-time Cy Young Award winner has had his postseason troubles in the past, but there’s no question that Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball and on track to win a fourth Cy Young. The Dodgers also have the deep pockets to add whatever they need by the trade deadline. In addition, the team is getting back two starting pitchers, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy, next month. Neither has pitched in the majors this season off Tommy John surgery but both are rehabbing in the minors.
Also potential good betting value is Detroit at 33 to 1. The Tigers can hit with anyone, and owner Mike Ilitch has proven he will spend the money necessary to bring a World Series title back to Motown for the first time since 1984. Expect the Tigers to add pitching by the trade deadline. Norris could be a factor with Detroit too as he is pitching well in Triple-A and could be called up soon.