While everyone is focused on their NCAA tournament brackets and bets, I decided to take a few moments and place some MLB futures since Opening Day is right around the corner.
Today, I will go over my futures bets based on PointsBet odds for World Series champion, American League champion and National League champion.
World Series Champion
Los Angeles Dodgers +350: There is nothing jaw-dropping or unusual laying a few bucks on the Dodgers to win the World Series. The reigning champs are clearly the favorite and will be a tough out for several reasons. However, if their pitchers are healthy, they have the advantage of being able to throw three aces -- Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer and Walker Buehler -- at their opponents in a playoff series, which would be very difficult to handle.
Offensively, we know how good the Dodgers’ core of Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager is and they have already proven they can all hit in the clutch. On top of that, Los Angeles is so dangerous because it has enough pieces in its farm system to use as trade chips in order to fix a need or overcome a critical injury during the season. Basically, the Dodgers have assets all throughout the organization, making it incredibly tough to fade them.
Chicago White Sox +900: I have no shame in announcing that I have purchased my ticket for the White Sox hype train. The South Siders are a trendy pick this year, but I can see why. The first goal of any team is not to win the World Series; a team’s main priority is to win their division, and the Sox should do that with no problem. I know there is some love for the Minnesota Twins out there, but in my opinion, the White Sox are the class of the A.L. Central.
The White Sox game plan will be to use the bullpen to get to Liam Hendriks.
The White Sox have a pitching staff anchored by one of the best young arms in baseball in Lucas Giolito (my pick to win the A.L. Cy Young), an innings eater in Lance Lynn, veteran Dallas Keuchel and an exciting young talent in Dylan Cease. This staff’s goal is to get the ball to new closer Liam Hendriks, who has proven to be one of the best in baseball.
On offense, reigning AL MVP Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez lead the way, while a bounce-back season from Yoan Moncada could make this team even more dangerous. The White Sox hype is real.
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A.L. Winner
New York Yankees +235: The Yankees, much like the Dodgers, are one of the teams everyone thinks will be there in the end. Like the Dodgers, the Yankees have the pocketbook and the farm system to make a move if a major injury puts the team in a tough spot.
The Bronx Bombers will rely on Gerrit Cole and Corey Kluber to lead their rotation, while a healthy Jameson Taillon could really put this pitching staff over the top. Jordan Montgomery is also a solid arm who could help bolster the rotation.
The Yankees’ lineup is loaded, and while health will be key, they have enough pieces to light up the scoreboard every game. The Tampa Bay Rays will be a thorn in the Yanks’ side in their own division, but even at +235, the Yankees are a good bet to win the American League.
Houston Astros +950: They may not be a well-liked team, and I won’t disagree with anyone about that, but +950 is a tremendous value for the Astros to win the American League. This is especially true when you consider the Astros are a+135 favorite to win the A.L. West, which is the first step to winning the American League.
The Astros aren’t as loaded as in year’s past, but they are not too shabby. The pitching in Houston is not what it use to be, yet it’s still substantial. The offense has also taken a hit with George Springer heading to Toronto in free agency, but Michael Brantley, Yuli Gurriel, Carlos Correa, and others can still get it done. The Oakland A’s will give Houston a run at the division, but the Astros should get home.
N.L. Winner
New York Mets +525: The National League East will be the toughest division in baseball this season and the Mets are +135 to win that division. The Mets will be a trendy pick to win the National League this season after going out making some big moves this offseason. Good for them; they have a very loyal fanbase.
The Mets traded for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco, as well as added James McCann in free agency during the offseason. Led by Jacob deGrom, the pitching staff will continue to be a strength of this team, plus they have some bats that will have the fans in Citi Field cheering all summer. Playing in the league’s toughest division also means the Mets will be battle-tested when the playoffs start. I like that for them.
Washington Nationals +2000: The Washington Nationals at +2000 to win the National League is a bet that everyone should place. The value is too good. If the Nationals can get a full season of starts from Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer, they should be in the mix to win the NL East and possibly the National League.
Offensively, the Nats will be led by Trea Turner and Juan Soto. Throw in the additions of Kyle Schwarber and Josh Bell during the offseason and they could be cooking with gas this season.
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