We are only a few days away from the MLB All-Star game, so which teams are in the frame to win their divisions?
All six have odds-on favourites, but some are more solid than others.
White Sox Look Solid and Houston Will Be Confident
The Chicago White Sox have opened an eight-game lead at the top of the American League Central and they are pretty much unopposable at 1/14.
They have won fewer than half of their road games in the first half of the campaign, but their nearest challengers Cleveland, who are 8/1, have lost nine of their last 10 games and Detroit may have too much to do from 11.5 games behind.
Off to Baltimore with a series W.
pic.twitter.com/mLAD8cfY6k
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 7, 2021
Houston also look strongly placed to get the job done in the American League West at 4/25 with a 4.5-game lead over the Oakland A’s.
The Astros have a massive run differential of +140 and the fact they have won 41 of their 61 games against teams with winning records is another reason to be optimistic.
Milwaukee Are the Potential Stars of the National League
The Brewers have taken the National League Central by the scruff of the neck at 4/23, taking full advantage of a recent slump for the Chicago Cubs, who have just lost nine matches in succession.
Milwaukee have deep reserves and are capable of stretching their lead, with the Cincinnati Reds their nearest challengers at 8/1.
The most competitive division is the National League East, where three teams are pushing leaders the New York Mets, who have been struggling with inconsistency and have a run differential of just +3.
They look short at 3/10, and while their nearest market rivals the Atlanta Braves have also been hit and miss, it could be worth chancing the Washington Nationals at 8/1.
Washington have won 19 of their 28 games in June and bounced back from a recent 4-0 series loss to the LA Dodgers by beating San Diego in three.
Red Sox Look the Part and Watch Out for the Padres
In the remaining two divisions, everything points to the Boston Red Sox getting the job done at 20/29 in the American League East.
They had won 10 of 11 games before two straight losses to the LA Angels and they have the vital combination of a strong offence, good starting pitching options and an excellent bullpen, which should be enough to hold off the Tampa Bay Rays, who are available at 9/4.
Meanwhile, San Francisco’s grip on the National League West looks like slipping and their arch-rivals the LA Dodgers are 5/14 favourites.
Down, but never out.
The @Padres complete the comeback as @TrentGrisham walks it off for San Diego.
pic.twitter.com/HYh6eZJh7h
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2021
The Dodgers are 4/11 to win the division, but the San Diego Padres are worth backing at 4/1. They have a well-rounded roster and shortstop Fernando Tatis is on course to score 50 homers. The Padres can threaten any team and have just 4.5 games to make up on the Giants.
*All odds correct at time of writing