As the home of the reigning World Series champions, the American League will not be short of title-contending teams. As expected, the Houston Astros currently lead the pack as the aforementioned World Series champs. But that raises the question: which other AL ball clubs are notable contenders in 2023?

Nitrobetting is ready to lend a hand to its bettors with their winning bets to be shot out of the park. This time, let’s break down several favorites and sleepers to win the 2023 MLB season’s American League pennant and their respective MLB odds to win the American League Championship Series to date.

2023 American League Championship Series Winner Futures Odds

Favorites

Houston Astros

• Odds to win the 2023 MLB ALCS: +260

The Astros finally redeemed themselves last season by winning the World Series and shedding their tainted image from their controversial championship victory in 2017. Simply put, Houston is the most consistently powerful team in the American League with six straight ALCS appearances to date and three trips to the World Series over the last four years. Consider the Astros as the Dodgers of the AL; an immovable force in terms of annual odds-on preseason favorites to win their league.

New York Yankees

• Odds to win the 2023 MLB ALCS: +375

As the runners-up to the Astros in last year’s ALCS, it stands to reason that the Yankees are virtual co-favorites to represent the American League in the World Series this season. Ever since Aaron Judge was drafted by New York in 2017, the team has made the playoffs in all six seasons and ultimately rewarded Judge with a massive contract following last season’s AL MVP-winning campaign. The Yanks have had rough patches in the playoffs over the years, but the pool of talent and high expectations are there once more for the Bronx Bombers to return to the promised land.

Dark Horses

Cleveland Guardians

• Odds to win the 2023 MLB ALCS: +1500

The Guardians reclaimed the AL Central last season for the first time since lording over the division between 2016 and 2018. However, will that be enough for them to seriously contend for the World Series title? Cleveland barely made waves during the offseason, neither adding big-name free agents nor losing their key pieces from last year’s roster. Star slugger Jose Ramirez is an AL MVP in the making, and the starting rotation is still reliable but not entirely daunting. As such, the Guardians are mere sleeper picks to win the World Series and finally break their 75-year title drought.

Texas Rangers

• Odds to win the 2023 MLB ALCS: +1600

Unlike the Guardians, the Rangers pulled out all the stops to bring them back to league relevancy this offseason. Texas acquired the best pitcher on the market in two-time Cy Young awardee Jacob deGrom as well as a handful of other key pitching arms in Nathan Eovaldi, Jake Odorizzi, and Andrew Heaney. The Rangers do reside in the same division as the Astros, which is why their potential is certainly capped. But if last year’s big additions on offense, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, both have better sophomore efforts in Arlington, then Texas is an intriguing sleeper pick to win the American League this season.

Huge Reach

Kansas City Royals

• Odds to win the 2023 MLB ALCS: +7500

Ever since winning the World Series in 2015, the Royals have been in a perpetual state of rebuilding their past glory. Unfortunately, they’ve not had a winning record for the past half-decade. While there’s a ton of promise under the new regime of first-time manager Matt Quatatro built around rising prospects Bobby Witt Jr., and the return of former fan favorite Zack Greinke is nice and all, the Royals are still considered long shots to become world champions once more, let alone win the ALCS.

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READ MORE: 2023 MLB National League Futures Odds and Preview