Orioles’ World Series odds improve
BALTIMORE, MD (The Spread) – Following the one-year signing of outfielder Nelson Cruz, the Orioles’ 2014 World Series odds have improved.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Orioles’ World Series odds are now 33/1, which is a dramatic improvement from where the odds were a week ago at 40/1. The team’s odds to win the American League pennant in 2014 also improved from 20/1 to 16/1.
The Orioles made things official last week by signing Cruz to a one-year, $8 million contract. The former Texas Ranger desired a long-term deal but draft pick compensation was tied to his signing and he’s coming off a 50-game suspension for PED use last season. But he’s a good fit for Baltimore’s lineup and this was a nice “prove it” deal for him and the club.
The Orioles are +900 on the money line to win the AL East, which are the longest odds (tied with the Blue Jays) to win the division. The Red Sox and Rays are both +210, respectively, while the Yankees are +225. Baltimore was a surprise playoff team in 2012 when it went 93-69 to finish second behind New York in the division. But the O’s struggled a year ago, winning 85 games in a crowded AL East that saw the Red Sox win the World Series.
The Orioles’ win total for 2014 has been set at 80.5, with the over carrying -130 odds and the under carrying EVEN odds. The odds indicate that oddsmakers believe there’s a good chance that Baltimore win finish with more than 80 wins, especially following the signing of Cruz.
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