#1: $250 - Detroit Tigers to win the AL Central +130
#2: $250 - Los Angeles Angels to win the AL West +190
I just don't see the Tigers losing the Central. They're clearly the best team in that division. Indians are regressing back to the mean (no pitching), White Sox are just all about 'potential' and looking good on 'paper' (undisciplined hitting / average pitching), and Twinkies will just run out of gas (this team is decent but they're NOT excellent in any areas). Tigers have a top 5 hitting lineup, a stud pitcher in Verlander, a solid #2 in Scherzer, and a very good closer. Obviously the rest of their bullpen is a question mark, but no team is really 'perfect'. I like the Tigers to pull away with this one.
As for the Angels selection, they're only 1 win away from the Rangers. They have Weaver and Haren, two #1 pitchers, plus a stud closer in Walden. Their lineup is beginning to come around and they have one of the best fielding teams in the league. You'll win a lot of games this way, especially close games. Rangers have the 'O' of course, but their starting pitching is very shaky (Wilson is decent, but I see Ogando regressing in the 2nd half) and they have the worst BP in the league. These teams will face off against one another 13 times in the 2nd half. What's interesting is that 10 of those games will be played in Anaheim. Hmmm. That's a huge advantage here. Last year, Angels were 6-3 at home against the Rangers. I see this being a pretty close race, but at +190 odds, I see definite 'value' on the Angels and a 3-game set at home against the Rangers to finish off the regular season could clinch this one for LAA. Too many factors favoring Angles in this one and very 'generous' odds.
Even if these split, they earn a profit here. I really like these 2 plays. Good luck!