Steve Starr
- BetOnline has the Yankees and White Sox as co-favorites to win the AL in 2021
- The defending American League champions in Tampa Bay (+700) went an AL-best 22-6 in May
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s MVP-quality season may not be enough for a Blue Jays (+1200) team that lacks pitching
With a third of the Major League Baseball season almost in the books, it’s time to separate the American League contenders from the pretenders and make our best bets on what club will be playing in the World Series this October.
As you could imagine, much as changed since our preseason preview in the spring, so let’s look at the latest odds to win the AL Pennant. And, as always, be sure to refer to our MLB 2021 betting guide for further wagering tips and advice.
Odds to win 2021 American League
 |
|
| Chicago White Sox | +350 |
| New York Yankees | +350 |
| Houston Astros | +650 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +700 |
| Boston Red Sox | +900 |
| Oakland Athletics | +1000 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +1200 |
| Cleveland Indians | +1600 |
| Kansas City Royals | +3300 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +3300 |
| Minnesota Twins | +3300 |
| Seattle Mariners | +4000 |
| Detroit Tigers | +25000 |
| Texas Rangers | +25000 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +50000 |
White Sox and Yankees
The definition of a “public team”, the Yankees (+350) are still co-favored to win the American League despite not playing in the World Series for the past 12 years, and despite sitting third in the AL East behind Tampa Bay (+700) and the Red Sox (+900).
Chicago (+350) seems like a more worthy favorite. The White Sox’s offense has put up runs even without the injured Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert, and their pitching rotation has been dominant, producing a 2.24 ERA over a recent 11-game stretch where they allowed one earned run or fewer nine times.
Tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/k3M4gp5JCr
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 4, 2021
Houston (+650) tops the majors in batting average, hits and runs scored, but a shaky bullpen is not the recipe for postseason success.
The aforementioned Rays (+700) should probably be getting more respect from oddsmakers. Tampa Bay has the best record in the AL after going 22-6 in May and with Tyler Glasnow looking like a Cy Young candidate, the defending American League champions will be a tough out in October.
Best of the Rest
Boston (+900) has been one of the most consistent clubs in baseball this season. While the Red Sox will need to add to their rotation at the deadline, the middle of their lineup is scary with J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers.
Playing through rumors of a possible relocation from Oakland, the Athletics (+1000) are once again exceeding expectations under Bob Melvin, the winningest manager in A’s history, but the Billy Beane team-building model isn’t built for the playoffs.
Devil Rays drip pic.twitter.com/bTfJl5svIx
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 29, 2021
Led by AL MVP contender Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays (+1200) talented core of young players have the misfortune to play in the stacked AL East, where they sit in fourth place. Toronto will likely be done in by the disastrous big-money signing of the injured George Springer – cash that would’ve been better spent on Trevor Bauer or another top-line starting pitcher.
We like the Tony La Russa’s Chicago White Sox (+350) to win the American League but, at +700, the Tampa Bay Rays are easily the best value to claim the AL Pennant.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
