Early Baseball Results Defy Predictions
Betting MLB
Major League Baseball is starting to take shape and showing signs of new life from those teams who are the unexpected leading contenders. Their rise in the standings from unknown players is a boost for all of baseball this early in the season. A new and improved competitive level of play from teams and players is an indication of a very successful baseball season ahead.
One month of baseball results continues to defy predictions.
Here are the American League teams that are building on their April performance and defining their role as a contender. The New York Yankees are for real and leading the American League East division. Their recent inter-league sweep of the defending champion Chicago Cubs in Chicago was an impressive display of scoring and pitching. Their star rookie Aaron Judge is a physical presence in the lineup with his MLB best 13 homers. The supporting cast of hitters, including veteran pickup Matt Holiday, has scored 20 more runs than any other AL team. The Yanks were predicted to finish fourth behind the Sox, Toronto and the Orioles. So far the Yankees are leading the pack with consistency, balance and confidence.
The Baltimore Orioles had a big controversy playing in Boston with the Adam Jones racial slur issues, but they are one game behind the Yankees with all their distractions. Their lineup and run production continues strong against good pitching and they are winning the low scoring games.
The Boston Red Sox were predicted to be the AL East division winner with Chris Sale their pitching ace. The racial slur incident was a bad mark on Boston and tension still exists between Boston and Baltimore. Their inconsistent run production has been a problem but their recent scoring outbreak in Minnesota should get them on tract. But the Sox know they are in a dog fight for division honors as they felt some tough losses at home from the Yankees and Orioles.
The Cleveland Indians, predicted to win the America League Central, are just gliding along looking to put a winning streak together. They are leading the American League Central and will feel a little heat from Detroit but should cruise to the division title. A back injury to Corey Kluber is a void to the pitching rotation but their overall deep talent will survive.
The Houston Astros have stretched their American League West lead with solid pitching and timely hitting. They are headed to play the Yankees and will hope for a split in the series.
The National League has found pace with the predictions from pre-season. Although the Chicago Cubs are playing just one game over 500, they are not likely to cap their winning performance from last year but will compete for division crown. However, the St Louis Cardinals have regrouped from four games under 500 to three games over 500 and the division lead. They are battling the Cubs and surprising Cincinnati Reds along with the Milwaukee Brewers. Placing a futures baseball bet preseason on total team wins is already an indication of your over or under bet for total team wins.
A strong prediction on the Washington Nationals to win the National League East and go to the World Series is probably the closest prediction for a team that has performed beyond expectations. They will be the team to beat in the mediocre East division and face the Cubs or Cardinal in the post season.
The National League West is up for grabs. The most unpredictable division with the Rockies, Arizona and Dodgers in a competitive challenge. The pre-season predictions were for the Dodgers and Giants but the Rockies are on top and the Giants on the bottom. This race will be the closest in baseball.
