In the American League, there are several teams with a chance to win the pennant and move onto the World Series. Among those teams are some of the most historically accomplished franchises in the history of the sport, along with teams that have had recent dynastic runs at the top. Here, we look at the AL Pennant futures odds and break down the prospects of the teams with the best chances to represent the AL in the Fall Classic.
2022 AL Pennant Futures
| Team |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOU | +280 | +300 | +260 | +300 | +300 |
| NYY | +360 | +300 | +350 | +340 | +300 |
| TOR | +700 | +800 | +650 | +650 | +750 |
| SEA | +800 | +800 | +800 | +850 | +750 |
| CHW | +1200 | +1300 | +1600 | +1600 | +1400 |
| TB | +1200 | +1200 | +1100 | +1100 | +1200 |
| CLE | +1500 | +1300 | +1600 | +1100 | +1400 |
| TEX | +2000 | +2500 | +2500 | +2000 | +2500 |
| BAL | +2200 | +3000 | +3300 | +3000 | +3000 |
| LAA | +2200 | +2000 | +2200 | +2500 | +2000 |
| BOS | +3000 | +3500 | +3500 | +2500 | +3500 |
| MIN | +3000 | +2000 | +2200 | +2000 | +1800 |
| DET | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 | +7000 | +5000 |
| KC | +7000 | +6600 | +7500 | +9000 | +6000 |
| OAK | +20000 | +30000 | +20000 | +25000 | +30000 |
Now that you have seen what the Major League Baseball oddsmakers think of the teams in the AL pennant race, it is time to look at the top teams in the AL pennant futures market. There are two clear favorites in the chase for the pennant in the American League. But there are a few clubs beneath them that cannot be ruled out either.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are understandably the favorites to win the American League again this year. They have won three pennants in the last five seasons, and will look to make it four out of six this October. Houston’s pitching will be a thorn in the side of teams throughout this postseason, led by Justin Verlander. Verlander leads the American League in wins and ERA, and could claim the Cy Young in addition to leading his team to another World Series.
New York Yankees
Right behind the Astros in AL pennant futures odds are the New York Yankees. The Yankees have led the AL East for nearly the entire season, thanks in large part to an offense that is second only to the Los Angeles Dodgers in runs scored this season. For the Yankees, the question will be if their power bats can stand up to the pitching they will face in the playoffs, and if their pitching can hold its own as well.
Toronto Blue Jays
After the Astros and Yankees, there is a significant dropoff in terms of the odds for other teams to win the American League pennant. The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the teams looking to upset the Astros and Yankees en route to the American League crown. In order to do that, the Blue Jays will need more consistency from a pitching staff that ranks in the middle of the pack in earned runs allowed.
Seattle Mariners
One of the most fun stories in baseball has been the Seattle Mariners. They have ended a 21-year playoff drought by qualifying as a Wild Card team this season. While their young core could experience some growing pains this postseason, they could also be too naive to get caught up in the moment instead. It will be fascinating to see how this team performs in its first postseason in over two decades, though they may not be ready to win a pennant just yet.
Tampa Bay Rays
One team that can never be counted out in the pennant race is the Tampa Bay Rays. They have by no means been great this season, falling short of the 90-win mark. But they do have pitching, as they rank fourth in earned runs allowed this season, and they could find a way through the Astros and Yankees if the continue to perform well in that area.
AL Pennant Pick & Prediction
New York Yankees
There are some questions about how the Yankees will perform relative to their AL pennant futures odds this postseason. But it is highly unlikely that any team other than the Astros or Yankees comes away with the pennant this season. In that situation, getting the better offensive team at a better price makes the Yankees worth playing, though there may not be a truly attractive betting option in all of the American League pennant chase.
