Updated American League Pennant Odds: Rays the Team to Beat

Tampa Bay’s dominant first half has them as big favorites to represent AL in the World Series.

No surprise, the Rays have the best odds to win the AL pennant at SI Sportsbook (+188). Tampa Bay has been unstoppable this season with an incredible 54-28 record. The Rays have the second-best run differential at plus-146, and they have the best slugging percentage (.462) and OPS (.799) in the American league as well as the most home runs in the AL (124) and the most stolen stolen bases in all of MLB (99). In addition, their pitching has been excellent, with the second-lowest team ERA (3.64) in all of MLB. They currently have a four-game lead in the AL East and it looks like they are a lock to make the postseason -- most likely as the division winner.

Orlando Ramirez/USA Today Sports

If you were lucky enough to bet on the Rays to win the AL before the season began, kudos to you: The Rays opened the season at +850, which was fifth-best at the time.

The Rangers (+400) continue to mash and exceed preseason expectations and they currently have a five-game lead in the AL West -- not over the Astros (+450) but over the Angels (+1700). The Rangers have the fifth-best team ERA (3.74) and are just a few bullpen moves at the deadline away from looking unstoppable. They lead the league in batting average (.272), OBP (.372) and RBIs, and they lead the AL in extra base hits. With Corey Seager healthy, it will be hard to catch this Rangers team that has been winning even without Jacob deGrom.

Though at this point they are more likely to get to the ALCS via the wild card, the Orioles at +1400 and the Angels (+1700) could be the best values on the board. Both are in second place in their divisions and are in the hunt for a wild card berth.

Yankees (+800) and Astros (+450) fans are still likely to see their team in the playoffs, but the payout value today doesn’t seem worth tying up the bankroll for the AL pennant odds.

At +1000, unless you're a Twins fan, fade the AL Central – which won’t be able to hold up to the competitive AL East or AL West this season.

Updated AL Pennant Odds at SI Sportsbook

Tampa Bay Rays +188
Texas Rangers +400
Houston Astros +450
New York Yankees +800
Minnesota Twins +1000
Toronto Blue Jays +1000
Baltimore Orioles +1400
Los Angeles Angels +1700
Seattle Mariners +2500
Cleveland Guardians +2500
Boston Red Sox +3500
Chicago White Sox +10000
Kansas City Royals +50000
Oakland Athletics +50000
Detroit Tigers +50000

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