Though it’s impossible for all six of the following teams to reach the American League playoffs (only five spots!), there definitely will be a playoff atmosphere at possible playoff previews Monday through Wednesday featuring New York Yankees at Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A’s at Houston Astros.

With those blockbusters front and center, VSiN continues its two-day report on league futures prices from William Hill. Yesterday we focused on the National League, today the American. These are odds to win the AL and earn a trip to the World Series.



Yankees 3/2 (40 percent win equivalent): The Yankees are already great, and could improve down the stretch if more healthy bodies return or if there are meaningful talent acquisitions via trades. It’s tough to be much higher than 40 percent to win a league with another superpower at this stage of a season.

Astros +225 (31 percent): William Hill uses a money line here, which is less confusing to recreational bettors than 45/20. These prices suggest the market expects the Yankees to earn home-field advantage for the postseason. The AL favorite might flip if Houston earns that perk.

Twins 3/1 (25 percent): You regulars know sportsbooks build a universe larger than 100 percent to create a house edge. We’re already at 96 percent just three teams into the AL! That right there tells you there’s not much value trying to bet at these prices. You’ll likely earn similar returns or better just by waiting for the playoffs to begin, then betting your favorite choices round-by-round at series odds. Minnesota in particular would pay off at a lot more than 3/1 in a “rollover parlay” as underdogs against the Yankees and Astros in consecutive rounds.

Rays and Red Sox each 11/1 (9 percent): While the market sees this as a dead heat, the Rays may have a very significant ace up their sleeves for earning the top AL wild card. It’s possible the last two playoff entries will be determined by who most takes advantage of lousy opponents no longer trying. Right now in the league, that would be the Orioles, Blue Jays, Tigers, Royals, White Sox (struggling lately) and Mariners.

Remaining games versus those “sick six”: Rays 29, Indians 23, Rangers 23, A’s 14, Red Sox 12. (The Red Sox may have wasted too much time recovering from their world championship hangover).

Indians 17/1 (6 percent): See above … the Indians might deserve some long-shot thought here given their remaining schedule.

A’s 20/1 (5 percent): Oakland is playing great ball of late, but is not dealing with the friendliest of remaining schedules. If you think the market is misreading this team’s true quality, focus on taking advantage of affordable day-to-day money lines.

Rangers 25/1 (4 percent): Many indicators are screaming “pretender!” The Rangers are probably a much longer shot than this, which will show up in pricing in a few weeks.

Serious bettors will be doing a lot of scouting the next few days with so many AL contenders squaring off. Isn’t it time you got serious?