2023 MLB Futures: 5 Best Bets to Make the Playoffs Before the Season Starts

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Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals at bat against the Chicago Cubs. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP.

For whacked-out baseball fans and bettors like us, the season is almost here, and we cannot wait to get started. (The results might make us regret that later.) Our mission here is to identify five teams likely to make the baseball playoffs.

We could go the easy route and choose the Yankees, Astros, Dodgers, Braves, and Padres, but that feels like cheating given their MLB odds. Instead, we’ll look at the next group lower who have more palatable odds for making MLB picks.


5th Choice – Toronto Blue Jays

  • -270 to Make Playoffs

The Blue Jays won 92 games a year ago, tying Cleveland for the 3rd-best record in the American League, yet, for the outsiders that was largely viewed as a disappointment. That was mostly because they were swept at home by Seattle in the wild-card round.

Important: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is Tone-Setter

For Toronto, it’s about the next step and it’s a big one, playing to win the AL title. To do this starting pitching has to stay healthy, but depth is limited at the start of the year. Yet, with rare exceptions, most teams would love Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt as their Top 3 starters.

The bullpen is solid and the offense looks Top 5 again, however, having an MVP-caliber season from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is important for this team to move from good to great and challenge the Yankees in 2023.


4th Choice – Minnesota Twins

  • +130 to Make Playoffs

This was a very unlikely play most of the off-season. Then, after Carlos Correa could not pass two different physicals after signing two different contracts for two different teams, returning to Minnesota made sense and he did.

Buxton Capable of 40+ Homers in 2023

That altered the trajectory and now Correa and Byron Buxton will be teammates for years to come. The Twins were 13th scoring a year ago with the duo. That means others have to step up and that is possible with Christian Vázquez, Kyle Farmer, Michael A. Taylor, Donovan Solano, and if Joey Gallo can hit .220 with power.

The starting pitching isn’t overwhelming, nevertheless, there are four hurlers that can consistently get into the 6th inning, backed by a hard-throwing bullpen led by Jhoan Duran.

On paper, this is the deepest team Minnesota has had in years, with a chance to win the AL Central if Cleveland falters.


3rd Choice – Cleveland Guardians

  • -150 to Make Playoffs

Cleveland won 92 games a year ago with the youngest everyday lineup in baseball. That experience should set the table for a similar if not better showing this season.

The offense revolves around Jose Ramirez and his work ethic and approach, which should do wonders for the younger players on the Guardians’ roster.

Manager Terry Francona’s squad is still centered around pitching with Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Cal Quantrill, Aaron Civale, and Zach Plesac a great starting point with a potentially domineering bullpen.

Cleveland is favored to win the AL Central and if the offense moves from 19th in scoring to the upper half of baseball, they are in the postseason.


2nd Choice – Seattle Mariners

  • -170 to Make Playoffs

Of all the different teams I saw in the Cactus League, only the Dodgers and Padres appeared more formidable than Seattle. The difference from top to bottom was not that great despite not having the same star power.

After ending their 21-year playoff drought, the Mariners swept Toronto on the road in the wild card before being swept by Houston. Each M’s loss came when leading or tied from the sixth inning on.

Mariners Poised for Super Season

That experience gave Seattle a different look, knowing they are a good team without reaching a ceiling and they upgraded second baseman (Kolten Wong) and right field (Teoscar Hernández) from last season.

If Robbie Ray returns to close his Cy Young of two years and Luis Castillo is available for a full season, the M’s could have an excellent squad. The Mariners can challenge Houston for the AL West and possibly more.


Top Choice – St. Louis Cardinals

  • -220 to Make Playoffs

Yes, the odds are a touch higher than we prefer at U.S. betting sites but the NL Central Division has an automatic bid to the playoffs.

Milwaukee took a step backward last year. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are terrible and the Cubs, though improved, are at best a .500 club. Also important: Willson Contreras is a great fix for retired Yadier Molina.

St. Louis is an experienced group that is used to winning with Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, along with a veteran pitching staff. The Cardinals have too much quality for the worst division in the big leagues


*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.