by Ty Schadt, Sports Editor
Major League Baseball’s Opening Day was on March 29. As with most Opening Days, there were several memorable moments. For example, Cubs center fielder Ian Happ launched a home run on the first pitch he saw, which also happened to be the first official pitch of the 2018 season. Angels pitcher/designated hitter and prized offseason signing Shohei Ohtani ripped a single during his first career at bat, flourishing in the heat of a highly anticipated moment.
We now sit two weeks into a long 162-game season. Much is to be determined, but every team is focused on the ultimate goal: winning a World Series title. Vegas Insider recently released their championship odds, so let’s take a look at some early favorites.
The Houston Astros are leading the pack at 11/2. If they are able to collect another Commissioner’s Trophy this fall, they would become the first team to repeat as champions since the 1999-2000 New York Yankees. In Sports Illustrated’s MLB Preview issue, an unnamed scout from a rival team provided a few lines of analysis on the reigning champs, praising their youth and talent. “A lot of guys had career years last season—but to think there’s a drop-off coming is delusional,” he said.
Perhaps Houston’s odds are so high because their starting lineup is practically the exact same as last November. One of the star players this scout is referring to is second baseman Jose Altuve, the reigning American League MVP; he enters this season with a fatter wallet having inked a massive seven-year, $163.5 million contract extension in March. Another is third baseman Alex Bregman, an iron man who broke out last year, playing in 155 games and batting .284 with 158 hits.
The Astros enter 2018 arguably in a better state than 2017 because of their starting rotation. Houston landed ace Justin Verlander minutes before the trade deadline last August, a pitcher who would throw in two World Series games and record 14 strikeouts between the pair. With a whole season of Verlander’s blistering fastballs and incredible stamina, there’s no telling how many more games the Astros might win.
Another team with 11/2 odds is the Los Angeles Dodgers, last year’s World Series runner-up. The team is led by ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who mesmerizes audiences and batters alike with his high leg kick and looping 12-to-6 curveball. Despite battling through back injuries in 2017, Kershaw went 12-4, led the National League with a 2.31 ERA and placed second in Cy Young award voting. In the bullpen, the Dodgers have Kenley Jansen, one of the game’s best closers. In 2017, Jansen boasted a 1.32 ERA and tallied 44 saves in 65 appearances. Any night he and Kershaw see the mound, Los Angeles is in a great position to win.
At the plate, the Dodgers have reigning National League Rookie of the Year Cody Bellinger. The first baseman hit .267 and blasted 39 home runs in 2017, numbers the Dodgers would love to see repeated in his sophomore season. Shortstop Corey Seager has MVP potential, and looks to build off a breakout season in which he hit .295 and drove in 77 runs. The Dodgers took the Astros to seven games in last year’s World Series and, without a doubt, a 2018 rematch is very possible.
The New York Yankees are third in Vegas’ list with 6/1 odds. Having made arguably the biggest move of the offseason, there has been tremendous hype around their roster. In December the Yankees agreed on a deal with the Miami Marlins that brought slugger Giancarlo Stanton to the Big Apple. Stanton is the reigning NL MVP, having batted .281 with a league best 59 home runs. His main adversary to the home run crown? The Yankees’ star outfielder and reigning American League Rookie of the Year, Aaron Judge, who sent 52 balls out of the park in 2017. Now the two form a dynamic duo that will haunt American League pitching staffs all year long.
The Yankees also have one of the league’s best overall bullpens. Dellin Betances had a 2.87 ERA last year and tallied 19 holds as a reliever. Dave Robertson’s ERA was 1.03 through the 35 innings he threw, and flamethrower Aroldis Chapman recorded 22 saves. Starters like Luis Severino and Sonny Gray face less pressure because of their sturdy pen, something that will prove pivotal as the season drones on.
All things considered, it’s too early to take any betting odds as fact. Many storylines have yet to unravel, and each season is a marathon, not a sprint. However, don’t be surprised if you see Kershaw popping the catcher’s mitt while leaves fall, Altuve sliding into a base emblazoned with the World Series logo or Stanton and Judge blasting 450-foot home runs under a bright October moon.
Photo by Keith Allison via Wikicommons
