As the Major League Baseball season reaches its end, there remains a plethora of crucial matters to be decided on the field during the final month of regular play. West Virginia sportsbooks offer the latest odds for all significant MLB futures, encompassing the various esteemed player awards.
The moment baseball fans think they have a clear picture of the 2022 World Series participants, everything gets flipped on its head.
While there are teams feeling confident about their position in the upcoming postseason, others are uncertain. Several division races are still undecided, promising an exciting September and October.
Now, let’s delve into the most captivating MLB odds that are up for grabs to conclude this ongoing season.
Sportsbooks in West Virginia post odds for MLB division winner
American League Central
The AL Central appears to be the most fiercely contested division in general. Despite no team achieving more than 66 victories, the race for the division title seems destined to be decided in the final moments.
Currently, the Cleveland Guardians are leading the pack, holding the first position with a four-game advantage over both the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox.
Surprisingly, none of these teams are performing exceptionally. Cleveland has won 6 out of their last 10 games, which is marginally better than their rivals.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook WV, the Guardians are considered the frontrunners in the division. They have been given odds of -190 to emerge as the victors, closely followed by Chicago (+300) and Minnesota (+475).
Despite being favored at the start of the year, the White Sox have been a letdown throughout most of the season. Despite possessing a talented roster and impressive pitching, Chicago has struggled to find success. Currently, their record stands at 63-62, just one game above .500.
The outcome of these teams’ matchups will ultimately decide which team takes control of the AL Central.
Before the season comes to an end, Cleveland will have eight more matchups against Minnesota, while they will only face the White Sox four more times.
In order to secure victory, the team will likely continue to rely on third baseman Jose Ramirez for offensive contributions. Ramirez has been exceptional this season, boasting an impressive OPS of .901, accompanied by 25 home runs and 104 RBIs.
National League East
The competition in the NL East is extremely tight. At the moment, the New York Mets are leading the pack, holding first place with a two-game advantage over the Atlanta Braves in second. Although the Philadelphia Phillies are also in contention, they would have to make a significant effort since they are currently trailing by 9.5 games.
BetMGM Sportsbook WV reveals that the Mets are in a favorable position with odds of -350, followed by the Braves at +250. On the other hand, the Phillies have significantly higher odds at +30000.
It’s quite intriguing to note that the Braves, who are the reigning World Series champions, are only a few games behind in the standings. Moreover, they will be hosting a three-game series against the Mets towards the end of the season.
The strong support for New York by WV sportsbooks can be attributed to the remarkable comeback of ace pitcher Jacob deGrom. Since his return from injury, deGrom has showcased his exceptional skills in five games, boasting an impressive ERA of 2.15 and recording an outstanding 46 strikeouts in just over 29 innings.
If he manages to stay healthy, he has the potential to be one of the top pitchers of his time and could greatly contribute to the Mets’ success.
Books also acknowledge that deGrom’s arm is an exceptional talent. Max Scherzer has also returned to the Mets recently, but he didn’t have to take as much time off as deGrom did.
Scherzer has achieved a record of 9 wins and 3 losses this year, maintaining an impressive 2.33 ERA and accumulating 137 strikeouts. These remarkable stats place him among the top 30 eligible pitchers.
While it is reasonable for the Mets to be favored, it is important to note that their success in the NL East is not guaranteed.
Braves players fight for NL Rookie of the Year
In 2022, two newcomers hailing from Atlanta have emerged as top contenders for the NL Rookie of the Year accolade. Pitcher Spencer Strider and outfielder Michael Harris have exceeded all expectations with their outstanding performances, making them strong contenders for the prestigious award.
Currently, DraftKings is favoring Strider with odds of -145 to win the ROY honors. However, Harris is not far behind, standing at +100 in the betting odds.
With an impressive total of 151 strikeouts, Strider secures a position in the top 12 in strikeouts this year. Notably, his ERA stands at 2.95, while his WHIP remains solid at 1.02.
Strider has established himself as a reliable member of the formidable Braves pitching staff, earning a spot in the postseason rotation alongside talented pitchers such as Max Fried, Kyle Wright, and Charlie Morton.
In a similar vein, Harris has contributed significantly to an already formidable veteran lineup, widely regarded as one of the top in MLB. The 21-year-old has maintained a batting average of .286 and an impressive OPS of .835 as of the conclusion of August.
Apart from his impressive offense, Harris demonstrates excellent skills as a defensive outfielder and poses a constant threat on the basepaths. Notably, the rookie has successfully stolen 15 bases this season without being caught even once.
Given the tight competition in this category, the player who has been performing exceptionally well in the past two weeks is likely to secure the victory. Oneil Cruz, the talented young infielder of the local Pittsburgh Pirates, currently shares the third position for the award, albeit with a considerable distance behind at +9000.
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