Rays 2012 MLB Season Odds
(The Spread) – In efforts to help their strong pitching staff, the Tampa Bay Rays made a few additions to their offseason this past winter. Will it be enough for the Rays to get back to the playoffs?
According to oddsmakers the Rays are currently 16/1 to win the 2012 World Series and 8/1 to win the American League Pennant. They’re also 9/2 to win the American League East Division and carry a regular season win total of over/under 87 games.
The Rays made a couple of signings this offseason in efforts to boost their offense, including bringing back a familiar face in Carlos Pena (one year, $7.25 million). They also added DH Luke Scott (one year, $6 million), catcher Jose Molina (one year, $1.8 million) and second baseman Jeff Keppinger (one year, $1.525 million).
View Latest 2012 World Series Odds
Of course, it’s not like the Rays ignored their pitching staff. They exercised their club option on Kyle Farnsworth, who received a one year, $3.3 million extension. They also signed Fernando Rodney to a one-year, $2 million deal and extended starter Matt Moore for five years at $14 million. On the trade front, they acquired Josh Lueke from the Mariners for catcher John Jaso and sent catcher Jake Jefferies to the Marlins for reliever Burke Badenhop.
OUTLOOK: The Rays will compete thanks to a starting rotation of David Price, James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore and Wade Davis. But whether or not the Rays challenge for a World Series will depend on their offense, which is very talented but can be very inconsistent as well. B.J. Upton needs to do better than his .248 batting average from a year ago, but the Rays do have plenty of pop in the middle of their order thanks to him, Evan Longoria, Pena and Ben Zobrist. Whether or not anyone hits for .300 is another matter, but at least the Rays can somewhat rely on the long ball when they need it. Re-upping with manager Joe Maddon was huge, as he’s one of the best skippers in the game. He’ll keep this club united and focused throughout the season, and it’ll be interesting to see where the Rays stand when the dust settles. Plus, if GM Andrew Friedman needs to make a deal at the break, he has plenty of pitching depth to acquire a bat.
2012 Tampa Bay Rays MLB Season Odds
World Series Odds: 16/1
American League Pennant Odds: 8/1
American League East Odds: 9/2
Regular Season Win Total: O/U 87
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