As the MLB season approaches its final month and postseason, opportunities to place bets on various futures markets still remain, despite a limited number of regular-season games left.
Next Sunday marks the official end of the season, while the wild card games are set to take place the following week.
Although the majority of playoff spots have been secured, there remains a significant amount of uncertainty in the American League.
At present, there are four teams competing for the last two playoff berths. With the Tampa Bay Rays already securing their division, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays are now contending for one of the remaining spots.
As Thursday night approaches, the Yankees are currently leading by one game over Boston, who currently holds the second wild card position. The Seattle Mariners are closely trailing the Red Sox by just half a game and are one game ahead of Toronto.
Out of these teams, two will secure a spot in the one-game showdown, while the remaining two will have to watch from home.
We will examine the MLB odds that are currently offered at West Virginia sportsbooks and discuss the potential outcome of the playoff landscape.
MLB Odds At WV Sportsbooks
Given that most divisions have already been determined, it is far more captivating to analyze the probabilities of each team emerging as the champion in their respective league.
FanDuel Sportsbook WV categorizes the AL teams into two groups: two teams that have already secured their division and one team that is on the verge of having comparable odds to win the AL pennant.
The group standings are as follows: The Astros are leading with odds of +200, followed by Tampa at +290 and the Chicago White Sox at +310.
These teams not only secured a spot in the playoffs but also earned a direct entry to the ALDS by winning their divisions. This is significant because, in reality, anything can occur when your entire season depends on a single game.
The remaining AL contenders will aim to secure their position during the upcoming weekend.
The Yankees and Red Sox currently hold the top spots, giving them higher chances of making it to the postseason compared to the other two teams. New York has odds of +700, while Boston is listed at +1000.
Seattle and Toronto both require assistance to secure a spot, although it is indeed feasible. Despite holding a lead over the Blue Jays in the standings, the Mariners face significantly lower odds.
Part of the reason for this is that the Blue Jays end the year by facing the abysmal Baltimore in a series.
According to FanDuel, Toronto has odds of +1500 to win the AL championship, while the Mariners have odds of +3000.
Naturally, selecting one of the remaining four participants entails increased risk. However, it also brings numerous benefits. By correctly choosing the team that ultimately progresses from the AL Wild Card Game, you will have significantly higher chances compared to the later stages.
Betting On The NL Pennant
While the American League’s playoff picture boasts numerous moving parts, the National League’s is relatively less complicated. Nevertheless, the battle for the league title in the NL promises to be equally thrilling.
The majority of NL teams have settled their positions. Atlanta is on the verge of clinching its division, while the Cardinals look well-positioned for the second wild card spot.
The Giants currently maintain a two-game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West, leaving only this division to be determined.
Despite needing to win an additional game compared to their competitors, the Dodgers are considered the frontrunners to win the NL. FanDuel has set their odds at +145 for a return to the World Series.
However, things could become complicated as they would be up against the Cardinals in that particular game. Despite St. Louis recently ending their winning streak, their impressive 17-game run secured their spot in the playoffs.
While the Dodgers roster is unparalleled, its significance diminishes in a single-elimination game.
With odds of +290, San Francisco is ranked second in the NL. However, if it fails to maintain its narrow lead in the NL West, the team will be up against the Cardinals.
The odds for each team are captivating since, even though one of them will have to compete in the Wild Card Game, both teams are among the top contenders in baseball.
Currently, they are the sole pair that has surpassed the milestone of 100 wins.
The Brewers are listed at +340, followed by Atlanta at +600, with a significant increase in odds. Despite being one of the hottest teams currently, St. Louis is ranked last among the NL squads.
The NL can be taken by the Cardinals at +1000 on the online sportsbook.
MLB Player Futures
NL MVP
There are still a few betting categories that need to be determined for players.
The NL MVP race is highly competitive, primarily between two individuals. While the favorites currently hold an advantageous position, the outcome remains uncertain as the final series of the season approaches.
Despite the likelihood of Philadelphia failing to make it to the postseason again, there may be a positive outcome. FanDuel predicts that outfielder Bryce Harper has the highest chances (-260 odds) of winning the MVP title.
Following him are Juan Soto of the Nationals with odds of +320, and Fernando Tatis Jr. of San Diego with odds of +600.
In 137 games, Harper has been an absolute beast this year, quietly wreaking havoc on the field. With a batting average of .308, he has crushed 34 homers and driven in an impressive 82 runs. What sets Harper apart from the rest is his mind-blowing OPS of 1.041, leading the entire league.
It is highly unlikely for Soto or Tatis to have a significant impact on the odds as their teams are already out of the playoffs.
NL Cy Young Award
The debate over the best pitcher in the NL is ongoing, with FanDuel offering odds for multiple players. However, it ultimately boils down to a two-man competition.
Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes leads the list with odds of -175, making him the favorite to bet on. Close behind is Los Angeles’ Max Scherzer, who has showcased exceptional performance since his trade.
Scherzer is offered by FanDuel to win the Cy Young at odds of +160.
Scherzer and Burnes, both ace pitchers, exhibit strikingly similar statistics. While Scherzer boasts more wins, Burnes outshines him in terms of ERA and strikeout rate.
It’s hard to make a wrong choice between them, but the possibility of Burnes’ team winning the division might sway the voters.
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