The World Baseball Classic is about to kick off, much to the chagrin of many Major League Baseball fans. But for the gamblers among us, this just presents another chance to lay some money on the line.
But not all of these bets are ones you see everyday.
According to BetOnline.com, the odds that a Cuban player defects from the team is 1:2.5.
A few other interesting odds:
- Odds that a no-hitter will be thrown — 3.25:1
- Odds Willy Taveras will have the most stolen bases — 1.5:1
- Odds Jose Reyes will have the most stolen bases — 2:1
- Odds that Miguel Cabrera has the most RBIs — 4:1
- Odds Jorge Cantu hits the most home runs — 20:1
- Odds that Australia or South Africa win the WBC — 250:1
- Odds that Cuba or the US win the WBC — 2:1
According to T.J. Kendrick, one of the main people behind compiling these odds, the odds-makers must use historical and statistical markers to determine their probability.
“Our odds-makers scour the headlines, rosters and history of players both in the WBC and in MLB,” Kendrick said. “After careful consideration, they come up with odds and then the odds adjust as the money is bet.”
With players coming in from different teams, and many rarely, if ever, facing each other on the diamond, stacking them up may get a little confusing. Kendrick notes that they looked at past WBC performances and any sort of statistics they could find on many of the players to dertermind their ability.
“A Japanese pitcher plays either in North America or the competitive Japanese leagues, whereas an Australian hitter that plays outside of North America and Japan will be over-matched,” Kendrick said. “Most of the talent is proven at some level.”
The sheer fact that they’re playing baseball is also a contributor to how these odds are compiled.
“It’s not like basketball or football where the plays and team chemistry is as important. Baseball is more based on the individuals,” Kendrick said.
When asked about the Cuban defector odds, Kendrick had a very simple answer.
“Cubans are always itching to defect. We favor the YES side right now and I tend to agree with it,” he said.
The WBC will begin March 5, 2009. The finals will be held at Dodger Stadium from March 21-23.
Topics: australia, cuba, dodger stadium, jorge cantu, Jose Reyes, miguel cabrera, odds, south africa, t.j. kendrick, usa, WBC, willy taveras
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