West Virginia sportsbooks provide updated odds for all major markets in the ongoing Major League Baseball season as it progresses into the summer.
As you assume you have a clear vision of how a particular year would unfold, circumstances often take an unexpected turn. The abundance of surprises thus far has made the future of this year incredibly fascinating as we enter the month of July.
Despite the belief that the Los Angeles Dodgers, with their strengthened lineup, would effortlessly dominate the regular season, they currently find themselves clinging to a narrow lead in the NL West.
Many had great expectations for the Toronto Blue Jays, underestimating the potential challenges the New York Yankees could face in this season. However, after almost three months, the Yankees have surpassed all expectations, poised to break records and currently holding a commanding lead of over 10 games ahead of the Blue Jays, who are in second place.
West Virginia sportsbooks offer a wide range of player futures, featuring an array of diverse names.
Updated MLB futures at WV sportsbooks
The World Series odds usually experience gradual changes, but there has been some shifting recently.
Although the Dodgers’ chances of winning it all have technically improved at DraftKings WV Sportsbook, the Yankees’ remarkable start has allowed them to surpass the Dodgers. At the online sportsbook, New York is listed at +425, closely followed by the Dodgers at +450.
At the start of the season, Los Angeles had odds of +500, which were significantly better than the Yanks’ odds of +900 prior to April.
The top position in this market is uncertain for sportsbooks. FanDuel WV currently has the Dodgers (+440) slightly ahead of the Yankees (+450).
There is a possibility that this trend will persist for an extended period. Both teams consistently showcase impressive lineups. Neither team is concerned about securing a playoff spot.
Due to New York’s remarkable performance in the beginning of the season, DraftKings has introduced a fresh betting market where you can wager on the number of regular-season wins. The highest number of wins predicted for any team is set at 105.5. The over option is offered at odds of -115, while the under option is available at -105.
The Yanks have achieved an impressive 52 wins in their first 70 matches, putting them on track to win 120 games this season. It’s worth noting that their all-time team record is 114 wins, set in 1998. However, both the 1906 Cubs and the 2001 Mariners hold the record for the best MLB season with 116 wins each.
Betting on the NL MVP
In June, Aaron Judge’s remarkable performance has solidified his status as the frontrunner for the AL MVP title. On the other hand, the race for the NL MVP appears to be wide open and full of surprises.
FanDuel still offers the opportunity to bet on players who have performed exceptionally well early in the season, such as Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, and Ronald Acuna Jr. However, currently, Paul Goldschmidt from the Cardinals holds the top position with odds of +170.
San Diego’s Manny Machado (+550) and the Mets’ Pete Alonso (+650) are among the new players in the mix. While Machado’s odds have improved over the course of a month, Alonso has recently entered this elite category.
In the first position, he delivers impressive power statistics and exceptional leadership to yet another New York team.
Unsurprisingly, all three players are excelling in their batting performances. Goldschmidt and Machado boast impressive batting averages of over .325, while Alonso stands out among the league’s top hitters with a remarkable 20 home runs.
OPS is a popular statistic among baseball enthusiasts nowadays, as it combines a player’s on-base percentage and slugging to provide valuable analysis.
In 2022, the MLB average hovers slightly above .700, typically leaning towards the .740 mark. Among the top NL contenders, all three exhibit an impressive OPS above .910, with Goldschmidt ranking second in baseball with a remarkable 1.048.
In October, this race has the potential to become quite thrilling. Typically, an MVP is found on a team that is in contention for its division title, and all three of these players meet that criteria. The Padres, along with Machado, are the only ones trailing the Dodgers by just one game.
Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz leads NL ROY
This season, local baseball fans who shift their focus towards the Pittsburgh Pirates are not experiencing the most dreadful time. Despite having a winning percentage of more than 10 games below .500, they currently occupy the third position in the NL Central, trailing the first-place team by just 9.5 games.
The team’s current record of 29-40 is an improvement of four games compared to this time last year.
The presence of young talent on the roster instills hope, particularly with Shortstop Oneil Cruz leading the pack and demonstrating his abilities in just a few games with Pittsburgh.
Since being promoted to the major leagues four games ago, Cruz has tallied four hits, two of which were for extra bases. Notably, his hits have come at crucial moments, resulting in him already driving in a total of seven runs.
In addition to his exceptional speed, the colossal shortstop (standing at 6’7″ and weighing 215 lbs) possesses an arm that rivals that of a professional pitcher. During his debut game with the Pirates this season (after appearing in two games in 2021), he astounded everyone by throwing out a runner with a blistering fastball clocked at 96.7 mph. This remarkable feat not only marked the fastest infield assist of the season but also left a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.
Cruz is not going unnoticed. On FanDuel, he is currently tied for the top spot in the race for National League Rookie of the Year with odds of +450.
This season, there is a fierce competition in the market with a total of nine players, including San Diego pitcher MacKenzie Gore and Atlanta outfielder Michael Harris, all tied at or inside of +2000.
Despite the fact that Pittsburgh supporters may not currently be cheering for a team in the postseason, Cruz and a few other players are giving them a reason to have hope.