Three MLB futures worth betting...

Some will say that this year’s All-Star Game was a dud.

While it was a snooze-fest for the first six innings (pitching aficionados will disagree, I’m sure), the final third did provide us with some drama.

Does anyone else feel that Marlon Byrd was more deserving of the MVP over Brian McCann? If it weren’t for him drawing a walk against Matt Thornton with two outs in the seventh inning, McCann never would have hit that bases-clearing double.

To follow that up, Byrd made an outstanding defensive play in the ninth inning, throwing David Ortiz out at second base on what should have been a base hit. Had he not had the wherewithal to make that play, the A.L. would have had two on with only one out and the potential winning run at the plate.

Enough about the All-Star Game, let’s talk MLB futures.

Most books currently have odds available for division, league, and World Series winners.

Here are three bets that might just boost your bankroll come October.

<b>A.L. Central Division – Chicago White Sox +225</b>

Give me these odds one month ago, and there’s no way I would have picked the Sox. However, they’re currently one of the hottest teams in baseball, and I don’t think their success has been a fluke.

They’ve got the starting pitching (they’ll likely make a move to fill the hole left by Jake Peavy’s injury), they’ve got the bullpen, and they’ve certainly got the offense. There just aren’t many holes on Ozzie Guillen’s squad.

The Tigers have the offense to match the White Sox, but I’m not sold on their pitching staff. The loss of Joel Zumaya has certainly hurt their case.

The Twins got off to a blazing hot start this season, but they’ve been nothing more than ordinary over the last two-and-a-half months. Since May 6^th, they’re 27-33 overall.

<b>A.L. West Division – Los Angeles Angels +500</b>

With the addition of Cliff Lee, the Rangers look like a lock to wrap up the A.L. West.

But the Angels aren’t going to go away, and currently sitting only 4.5 games back, stranger things have happened.

There’s no question, the Rangers should cruise, but there’s a lot of value in a Halos squad that knows a thing or two about winning division titles.

Keep in mind, the Rangers went ice cold prior to the break, getting swept by the lowly Orioles in a four-game series at home, and winning only three of their last 11 games.

<b>N.L. West Division – Los Angeles Dodgers +300</b>

The Rockies are currently the favorite to win the West at most books, despite the fact that the Padres own the division lead by two games.

I suspect we’ll see the Padres continue to fade as the second half resumes, while the Rockies have been a little too streaky for my liking.

Colorado took full advantage of a 10-game homestand prior to the break, winning eight games, but I’m not convinced their success is sustainable.

I’ll pick the Dodgers, as they’ve quietly turned things around lately, winning nine of their last 13 games.

If they can stay healthy (Manny Ramirez is expected to be activated from the D.L. on Thursday), they can make another run at a division title. Getting them at 3-to-1 odds at this point of the season is a bargain in my opinion.

Let's hear your thoughts.

That Chi Sox play is

BOL

Disagree with your all-star game theory - but love all 3 of the futures you posted.