By Stuart Kirsch
Boston Title Town Odds: How Many of “The Hub’s” Teams Can Grab a Title?
Boston sports teams have had quite a run since the start of the century. The Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins have combined for an amazing twelve championships in that time. With all those rolling rallies of celebration along the Charles River, the city has never held more than two championship trophies at any one time.
The Patriots’ Super Bowls of 2019 and 2017 overlapped the 2018 Red Sox World Series. The Red Sox held the 2007 trophy when the Celtics won in 2008. The Patriots back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005 surrounded the Red Sox curse-breaking championship in 2004. In that span, the only other cities to accomplish the same feat are San Francisco (2014 Giants and 2014-5 Warriors), Pittsburgh (2009 Steelers and Penguins) and LA (2002 Lakers and Angels).
Detroit has not seen a sports championship parade since the Red Wings hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2008, but it is the Motor City that is the standard bearer when it comes to holding multiple simultaneous championships. The Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings were all champions in 1935-36. Detroit is the only city that has held as many as three of the four major North American league championships simultaneously. Can Boston turn a hat trick as the calendar turns to the 2020s?
The New England Patriots and Boston Bruins are Title Odds Favorites While the Red Sox and Celtics Are Not Far Behind
The New England Patriots are the reigning Super Bowl Champions and at 10-1 on the season are the top seed in the AFC. Even as Tom Brady is having a season less stellar than is his norm, the offense has soldiered through injuries at offensive line and tight end, and a revolving rotation of receivers. Bill Belichick’s defense has been suffocating for most of the season, and is on track to be one of the stingiest defenses in NFL history. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore is the leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and linebacker Jamie Collins is a top-ten candidate. The odds for a 2020 New England Patriots NFL championship are +290, the lowest than any other team.
On the ice with a little more than a quarter of the season played, the Boston Bruins are leading the Atlantic division and are just two points behind the Washington Capitals for the lead of both the Eastern Conference and the league overall. Winger David Pastrnak, a frontrunner for the Hart Trophy as MVP, leads the league with 20 goals scored.
Linemates Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron are also in the tier of scoring leaders. Goalie Tuuka Rask is tied for the league lead in victories and is top-five in goals against average. Continuing their success that saw them defeated in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Bruins are the betting favorite in the NHL. The odds for a Boston 2020 Stanley Cup are +850.
Although the Celtics were an Afterthought to Begin the Season, Kemba and the Kids Are Turning Heads
Newcomer Kemba Walker leads the Boston Celtics, who stand at the top of the Atlantic Division and are just a game and a half behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference. Walker is averaging over 21 points with almost five assists per game for the youthful Boston squad. As of late November, the Celtics are +700 to win the Eastern Conference, third place favorites behind the Bucks and the 76ers. Their odds to win the NBA Championship are +2700.
A year removed from a World Series title, the Red Sox finished last season with a disappointing 84 wins, third place in the American League East and 19 games behind the Yankees. Despite a top-five offensive performance, both starting pitching and the bullpen struggled mightily. Trade rumors swirl around former MVP Mookie Betts as well as many in the pitching rotation.
Focus this offseason is also on Manager Alex Cora and any involvement he might have had in the sign stealing scandal while on the Astros’ staff. In early odds, the Red Sox are +1200 to win the 2020 World Series.
The Title Town Odds for a Boston double play two-team parlay of Patriots and Bruins are +3605. A two-way parlay of Patriots and Red Sox is +4970. A Patriots and Celtics parlay is +10820.
| Patriots+Bruins | +3700 |
| Patriots+Celtics | +11100 |
| Celtics+Bruins | +26500 |
The Title Town Odds for a Boston hat trick three-way parlay of Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox is +48065.
| Patriots/Bruins/Red Sox | +48065 |
| Patriots/Bruins/Celtics | +103640 |
| Patriots/Red Sox/Celtics | +141860 |
| Bruins/Red Sox/Celtics | +345700 |
The Title Town Odds for a Boston grand slam four way-parlay of all four Boston pro teams is +1348520.
| Patriots+Bruins | +300 |
| Bruins | +850 |
| Celtics | +2700 |
| Red Sox | +1200 |