Betting.Betfair

The start of the 2011 baseball season is finally upon us. Nick Shiambouros takes a look at every team in the American League along with current prices to win the World Series.

Boston Red Sox 4.8
The Sox were plagued with injuries last year and failed to make the playoffs. Over the winter Boston signed outfielder Carl Crawford from Tampa and All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego. With the addition of these two superstars the Red Sox will field one of the strongest lineups in baseball.

Boston also possess some outstanding pitchers in the rotation including Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. It is hard to find any weaknesses in this team and they are deserving favourites, but represent little value at the odds on offer.

New York Yankees 9.2
The Yankees made the playoffs last year but were eliminated by the Texas Rangers in the AL Championship Series.

There is plenty of firepower in the lineup. Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Gunderson will provide plenty of runs for the Bronx Bombers. But the big problem for New York is the weakness in the starting pitching. C C Sabathia will win his fair share of games but the rest may struggle.

The Yankees are bound to be in the playoff hunt this season but they may not finish ahead of Boston in the AL East.

Minnesota Twins 25.0
The Twins won the AL Central last year but were eliminated by the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs.

This team can score plenty of runs which makes them live candidates for another AL Central title. Joe Mauer is one of the most explosive hitters in the game and is the backbone of this stellar offence. Pitching ace Francisco Liriano looks set for a good year on the mound now that he is healthy.

This team has very few weaknesses and are well worth an interest at the current odds.

Chicago White Sox 25.0
The White Sox were a little disappointing last year but still managed to finish second in the AL Central.

Adam Dunn was signed during the winter to give them a little more power in the lineup.
The White Sox are capable of giving Minnesota a run for their money in the AL Central but they must improve their pitching if they are to improve on 2010's efforts.

Texas Rangers 26.0
The Rangers went all the way to the World Series last year led by the power hitting of AL MVP Josh Hamilton. This team is packed with talent which should enable them to win plenty of games.

But the pitching rotation was dealt a massive blow at the end of the year when ace Cliff Lee left Texas to play for Philadelphia. I hope this team can overcome the loss of Lee and win the AL West. They are reasonably priced in my opinion.

Tampa Bay Rays 32.0
The Rays lost Carl Crawford, Jason Bartlett and Carlos Pena over the winter .The departure of these three quality players has decimated the lineup and put more pressure on the younger players to contribute.

The only piece of good news to report is the signing of the great Manny Ramirez .This slugger is still exciting to watch and is well worth the price of admission.

I think the Rays will struggle this year. If they want to continue to compete they have to spend the money. It is as simple as that.

Los Angeles Angels 32.0
The Angels had a poor season last year and I do not see things improving anytime soon. The main problem with this team is the lack of run production. The talented Kendrys Morales is the one shining light in this lack lustre offence.

Oakland Athletics 32.0
This team could surprise a few people this year. The Athletics have a solid pitching rotation led by Trevor Cahill who is a star in the making. I think they have enough talent to make the post-season and are worth an interest .

Detroit Tigers 34.0
The Tigers play in the competitive AL Central and will struggle to finish ahead of Minnesota and Chicago.

Toronto Blue Jays 70.0
The Blue Jays are a young team and could show improvement this year but I will be shocked if they make the post-season.

Baltimore Orioles 120.0
The Orioles look set for another losing year. This team does not have enough depth in the pitching rotation to trouble New York or Boston.

Cleveland Indians 180.0
This team is in a real slump and will struggle to win 70 games this year.

Seattle Mariners 200.0
The Mariners have struggled in recent years and another losing season is on the cards.

Kansas City Royals 320.0
This team does not appeal at any price.

For more American sports betting articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/us-sports/