The Detroit Tigers have excellent value for those of you wanting to place an early bet on the 2008 World Series. 

"The Tigers? They're now an official baseball superpower," writes Jayson Stark of ESPN.  That's because they are about to acquire Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins for six prospects, including lefthander Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin.

As Stark points out: they're headed for a $120 million-plus payroll. They have a lineup deeper than the Grand Canyon. And they can run five starting pitchers out there who have each worked 200-plus innings in at least one of the last two seasons.

"I'll tell you what," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "There are a lot of American League pitchers getting real nervous -- and we're one of them."

Sportsbook.com now had the Detroit Tigers listed with early 5/1 odds, which are likely to be slashed further as the new Major League Baseball season gets closer.  That would amount to a $500 payout for every $100 bet.  Detroit had been listed with 15/1 odds of winning the 2008 World Series.  The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees continued to be the favorites.

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Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com

Originally published December 5, 2007 5:17 am EST