As is usually the case in Major League Baseball, especially since they went to the format with five-team divisions, not every MLB division race is all that intriguing. But there are a few that most certainly are.

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Perhaps it’s because the division is, well, kind of mediocre (NL East). Or maybe it’s very strong (NL West). But with the All-Star break, we get a little time to reflect upon what’s going to happen the rest of the way.

For the sake of MLB bettors, let’s look at three races and the way this reporter sees them shaking out, calculating the value (or lack of same) in the various prop bets.

Updated Odds to Win the AL East in 2021

Boston Red Sox -150

Tampa Bay Rays +105

Toronto Blue Jays +800

New York Yankees +800

Here’s what Sports Illustrated said about the Tampa Bay Rays: “Tampa Bay’s strength is its lack of weaknesses.” And that may well be true. It goes further, of course. We touched upon this at the outset of the season, as we told you not to be surprised if they won this division. At the time, we were measuring them against the New York Yankees. But they are currently a game and a half behind the Boston Red Sox in what is shaping up as a two-team battle.

Tyler Glasnow was knocked out of action, of course. On top of the off-season losses of Charlie Morton and Blake Snell, that would appear to thin out the pitching staff. But you know, Kevin Cash is a good enough manager that he has always been able to overcome whatever this franchise’s payroll constraints have thrown at him.

No, this is not an overwhelming offensive team. Only one starter in the lineup is hitting better than .252. They have a team on-base percentage of .315, which is about average. And they lead all of MLB in strikeouts. Yet they are tied for seventh in all of baseball in runs scored. And their staff has the third best WHIP ratio and best strikeout-walk ratio in both leagues. Their run differential suggests they should be 3.5 games out in front of the Red Sox.

We liked them at the start, and we’re sticking with TAMPA BAY.

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Updated Odds to Win the NL East in 2021

New York Mets -250

Atlanta Braves +400

Philadelphia Phillies +550

Washington Nationals +650

The New York Mets‘ on-base percentage of .310 is scary low for a team that aspires to go to the World Series. They are second from the bottom in runs per game,and 27th in both home runs and stolen bases. They don’t seem to fit the profile of a division winner. But at this point, you have to ask yourself, “Who else?”

We would freely admit that the Mets have a nice 1-2-3 punch in the rotation, with the incomparable Jacob deGrom, Taijuan Walker and Marcus Stroman. But beyond that, things are murky. Carlos Carrasco is set to come back some time soon, and that could indeed offer a boost to the starting staff. But it appears as if Noah Syndergaard’s best case scenario is to complete his comeback from Tommy John surgery by September 1.

The Phillies would be the team with a chance, as they are just 3.5 games out and carry odds of +550. Few could question that there is great potential in the offense, but overall, they’ve been a downer. This bullpen has blown more saves than anyone. So perhaps whether you want to take the plunge on a futures play at 1VICE.AG with Philadelphia depends on how much faith you have that they’ll make a couple of bold moves before the trade deadline to bring some relief help in.

Do they even have a choice? I’m thinking, what the hell – a small nibble on Joe Girardi’s team.

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Updated Odds to Win the NL West in 2021

Los Angeles Dodgers -300

San Francisco Giants +300

San Diego Padres +400

We certainly grant you that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the team that is much more likely to open up the pocketbook – and a big pocketbook it is – to land help at the trade deadline. They don’t even have to think twice about it, so keep it in mind.

That having been said, we will remind you that there is an air of uncertainty surrounding the guys in blue. Sure, maybe Cody Bellinger will come around. And Albert Pujols has turned out to be a useful enough pickup. Also,Clayton Kershaw’s forearm problems are nothing huge to worry about. But Trevor Bauer, who was a casualty of “Sticky-Gate” as it was, is facing some sexual assault charges that look pretty serious.

The San Francisco Giants have a pitching staff producing at a level that is right up there with the Dodgers. Some of the holdovers from championship years (Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford) are having All-Star seasons. And they lead the majors in home runs.

These odds suggest that the Dodgers, a team two games behind in the standings, have a three times better chance (75% – 25%) to win the division. I’m not buying that. So SAN FRANCISCO definitely carries more value.