The season of the WORLD SERIES is about to start. Now is the time for us to take a hard look and examine some of the potential plays for 2006 and make some predictions. There must be lurking in there a good wager to make. Take the example of the White Sox from the south side of Chicago. After 88 years of frustration and no result, they brought home a World Series title.

Just days after the White Sox ended 88 years of frustration on the south side of Chicago by brining home a World Series title, we took a look at some potential value plays on World Series futures for 2006. With the season now just days away its time to make some more 2006 MLB predictions and see whether their remains a dark horse or two worthy of a wager.

In November the METS with odds at 33-1 were an obvious value play. The best you can get today is 7-1, this is from Pinnacle Sportsbook. Elsewhere the odds are 5-1 and 6-1. With Billy Wagner and Carlos Delgado in their line up, the Mets were a steal at 33-1. Today at 5-1 and 7-1, the odds are not so exciting.

The Yankees have not won a series since they beat the Mets in 2000 but they are the favourites to win it all in 2006. From a high in November at 5-1 the best you can get now 3.5 -1 at Canbet.

Good bets in the line up in November were the White Sox. They were rating in fifth or sixth place with odds as high as 16-1.

 The Phillies and the Giants were at 33-1. The Dodgers you could get at 50-1. Today at Bodog they have dropped to 12-1, but at Pinnacle, Sportsbook and Canbet they are offering 20-1.

The odds on the Giants are very fluid because of the uncertainty of the fitness of Barry Bond. In a weak division if he is in good shape and plays and delivers, the chances are that the Giants should make the playoffs. If he is not, and is not able to play, the team will struggle to reach .500. At 35-1 being offered by Pinnacle and Sportsbook,  the Giants are worth a play, but, not at 15-1 or 20-1 which is being offered elsewhere.

The Phillies you can get at about 40-1 and this is at most sites. They need more to make good. This could be in the performance of their new closer, Tom Gordon. He could put them through to a win and considering the fact that this team has been on the verge of a playoff over the past two seasons, at 40-1 this is a value bet.

There is little doubt that the White Sox have the look of a winning team and they are capable of a back to back win. The odds here are low at 4-1 at Bodog, but at Pinnacle Sportsbook, they look very attractive at 10-1.

Back in November the odds being offered on a couple teams were not attractive but today with Red Sox at 13-1 and the Angels at 17-1, both at Pinnacle Sportsbook , these look like good bets. The chances are that Coco Crisp will fill the void left by Johnny Damon’s move to the Bronx and the Red Sox starting five will then have about the best in the game.

The Angels will for sure be very serious contenders. Their starting pitchers backed by one of the best bullpens in the game give them a serious edge.

The Twins look real good and a team that could be in the playoff. They play in the tough American League Central Division. At 40-1 they are a good play, but they have the White Sox and Indians as contenders there.

There is that superstition that things happen in threes. Don’t be surprised then if the Cubs follow the lead of the Red Sox and White Sox , both in an historic drought that so ended. You can get the Cubbies from 10-1 to nearly 30-1 just about from anyone.

For the reckless punters there are some long shots. How tough or perhaps foolish are you to place a bet on a real long shots, 600-1 on the Royals!

At 100-1 plus  there are some teams worthy of a punt. The Orioles at 125-1 are probably the best of the bunch but they are in the real tough division of baseball and before the end of the season will have to face up to the Red Sox, Yanks and Blue Jays. Despite this they could surprise us. They showed good form early on in last season and are now without the problems of Sammy Sosa and Rafael.

In a realistic assessment of the teams, there are some that appear to show no return and so avoid them. The A’s at 12-1 and the Blue Jays at 17-1. Despite the chances they had last season, they could not make it and it does not seem that 2006 will be any different.  The odds would have to be significantly higher to make a bet here. The same could be said for Toronto. The records show that they have improved and could well end up being the third best team in the American League. You are looking for at least a playoff. Third wont be any good for you.

You might want to have a bet on a home town team but your gut feeling for a team is important, so shop around and get the best odds you can. A good example is the Arizona Diamondfbacks. If you feel they can make it to the top and pull it off, a bet of 150-1 with Pinnacle Sportsbook is a great bet because at Canbet the odds are 66-1.