With a new baseball season at hand, let’s dig into all sorts of MLB odds and share some random thoughts as we get ready for the grind.
For those unfamiliar with the term – The Grind – in baseball betting lexicon, that is six months of at least five days a week looking at the odds of 15 games (the other days will vary) and for those that love it (like this writer), it is intoxicating.
Reviewing World Series Odds
- Houston Astros +500
- Los Angeles Dodgers +600
- Atlanta Braves +800
- New York Yankees +900
- Toronto Blue Jays +1000
- New York Mets +1000
*Odds from December 9, 2022 at Bovada
Reviewing World Series Odds
- Houston Astros +600
- Atlanta Braves +750
- New York Yankees +750
- Los Angeles Dodgers +800
- San Diego Padres +850
- New York Mets +950
*Odds from March 28, 2023 at Bovada
Public Opinion
- Houston Astros: For the most part, defending World Series champion Houston is still highly thought of, but enough bettors wonder if the starting pitching will be the same without Justin Verlander.
- New York Yankees: The Yankees signed Aaron Judge in that span of time and despite a plethora of injuries throughout the pitching staff, bettors either are ignoring them or thinking about the Yankees in the long run.
- Atlanta Braves: Atlanta has surpassed the Dodgers when looking at the starting pitching.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Will injuries have a great impact on Los Angeles? Plus, will losing Trea Turner and Gavin Lux affect the L.A. offense more than some might believe?
- Toronto Blue Jays: Bettors and the public have lost faith in Toronto (though still 7th overall) after not being the darlings many thought they would be last year.
- San Diego Padres: San Diego has replaced the Blue Jays as the new “cool kid in school”.
Thinking About a Longshot to Make?
Look no further than Seattle. The Mariners are the 9th choice overall and 4th in the America League. Since winning just 68 games in 2019, Seattle has won 90 games each of the last two years and ended their playoff drought of 21 years.
The Mariners starting rotation was below average last year (17th in various combined metrics) and we can see that improving, plus, they have a Top 5 bullpen. Offensively, Seattle was 18th in runs scored and there is enough room for a variety of players to take this club to the Top 12.
The M’s might be worth a look for MLB picks.
Betting Odds for the Cy Young in Each League
American League Cy Young Award
- Jacob deGrom +550
- Gerrit Cole +700
- Alek Manoah +900
- Dylan Cease +1000
- Shohei Ohtani +1000
- Shane McClanahan +1200
National League Cy Young Award
- Sandy Alcantara +500
- Corbin Burnes +550
- Justin Verlander +700
- Max Scherzer +800
- Spencer Strider +950
- Max Fried +1000
My thoughts on both Cy Young’s revolve around injuries to older pitchers who have now established this as a concern.
Jacob deGrom remains one of the top pitchers in baseball just like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Granted, Verlander won the Cy Young with Houston last year, but he’s 40 this 2023.
Does he, deGrom, and Scherzer avoid the IL, with the latter two having spent a good chunk of time not pitching the past few seasons? It might be better to look at Manoah or Max Fried instead.
Saved the Best for Last (Literally)
While nothing is guaranteed when it comes to sports betting, sometimes things just seem obvious when they might not be to others.
Last year, Emmanuel Clase of Cleveland had the most saves in the majors. He’s favored to do so again at +600 with Ohio betting sites. He has a 100 MPH cut fastball and a wipeout slider. When he takes a little off the slider with the fastball motion, hitters are trying to start their bats ahead of time and strike themselves out.
If you saw Clase last year, he began having the “king of the jungle’ strut and look and he’s only 25. The Guardians are still the choice to win the AL Central, so Clase will have ample opportunities.
Just remember, what looks great in March, doesn’t appear so in October.
*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.
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