MLB AL Division Pennant Odds: Betting Favorites to Win After Week 2

With the MLB season now a couple of weeks old, it is an excellent time to see how odds for this year’s American League Pennant have shifted amidst strong and poor starts from teams around the league. Here is a current look at the three teams with the best odds of winning the AL Pennant this season. Let’s get right to it so you can bet against the MLB AL Division Odds.

American League Pennant Odds to Win After Week 2 | MLB Betting

Toronto Blue Jays (+330)

At 11-6, the Toronto Blue Jays currently have the best record in the American League, and they have the fourth-best record in all of baseball.

Their offense ranks 11th in all baseball in runs scored, averaging 4.24 runs per game. At home, where they are 5-2, they are averaging a whopping 5.57 runs.

The Blue Jays have shown their power to lead the majors in home runs with 25 in 17 games.

Leading the offensive attack is first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He is currently hitting .344/.400/.623 with a team-leading five home runs and 12 runs batted in.

Newcomer Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.89 ERA) has pitched well through three games, but 24-year-old Alex Manoah has been their most successful starter as he is a perfect 3-0 through three games. In 18 innings, he has 18 strikeouts with a 2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

Houston Astros (+490)

While the Blue Jays have been the hottest team in the American League, the Houston Astros have gotten off to quite a sluggish start at 7-9. It is worth noting that Houston had the same record through 16 games last season and finished the year in the World Series.

The big concern has been an offense that has yet to click. After leading the majors in runs per game last season, they rank just 23rd this season as they are averaging 3.50 runs per game.

To this point, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Jose Altuve (currently on the injured list), Aledmys Diaz, and Martin Maldonado are all hitting under the Mendoza line of .200.

Over the offseason, many were worried about the production of Jeremy Pena taking over for the departed Carlos Correa, but he has held his own thus far. Through 54 at-bats, Pena is hitting .241/.311/.500 with three home runs and six runs batted in. One of his home runs in their series finale was an extra-inning walk-off against the Toronto Blue Jays.

On the mound, Justin Verlander has returned to form for Houston. Through three games, he is 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.74 WHIP, and he has 20 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched.

Chicago White Sox (+550)

Through the first two weeks of the season, there may not be a more unlucky team in baseball on the injury front than the Chicago White Sox. To date, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Yoan Moncada, Garrett Crochet, and Eloy Jimenez are either on or have been on the injured list for a substantial amount of time.

Of those listed, Lynn and Moncada have yet to play in a game, and for Jimenez, it may be six to eight weeks before he returns after having surgery to repair a torn hamstring tendon.

Still, the AL Central remains one of the weaker divisions in baseball as the White Sox remain just 1.5 games behind the division-leading Minnesota Twins (8-8).

Offensively, Andrew Vaughn has been their most productive hitter in the early going. He leads the team in both home runs (three) and runs batted in (eight) while hitting .300/.364/.575.

Except for one outing, Dylan Cease has pitched well through three starts. He is currently 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and has 19 strikeouts in just 16 innings.

Chicago was also encouraged by Lucas Giolito’s last outing. After returning from the injured list, he went four innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out nine.

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