MLB futures odds, bets to consider
Aside from the New York Mets in the NL East, all five of the division futures bets we recommended before the season are currently favored. That includes chalky picks such as the Dodgers and Astros, as well as an underdog in the Twins.
We've frequently revisited the futures market and the MLB is no different. Bettors can buy low or sell high on certain teams based on a number of factors.
Here, we dive into our favorite divisional, pennant, and World Series prices.
NL Central
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brewers | 17-10 |
| Cubs | 19-10 |
| Cardinals | 14-5 |
| Reds | 20-1 |
| Pirates | 20-1 |
Advanced metrics and the betting market were split on the Cubs prior to the season. PECOTA marked the club down for roughly a .500 season, while the Cubs' betting win total sat around 89.5. Just past the halfway point of the season, the North Siders are slotted right between those two, on pace to win 85.7 games.
In baseball's tightest divisional race right now, we'd snag some Cubs stock for down the stretch.
Chicago's been all over the place this season. A 3-8 start had the media discussing the potential for the franchise to be a seller in July. The Cubs then regrouped, going on a 19-5 tear over their next 24 games. They're currently only five games over .500 and one game back of the Brewers for the division lead. Those two clubs are neck and neck on paper but could soon find themselves heading in opposite directions.
The Cubs are a 45-win team playing like a 49-win team based on run differential and own a losing record in games decided by one run. Overall, they're the eighth-unluckiest team in the majors. Milwaukee, meanwhile, is a 46-win team playing like a 42-win team. The Brewers are 12-7 in one-run games and the second-luckiest team in baseball.
Despite the bad luck and some injuries to the pitching staff, Chicago should finish closer to its betting win total than its PECOTA projection en route to a division title.
AL pennant
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yankees | 9-5 |
| Astros | 12-5 |
| Twins | 5-1 |
| Red Sox | 12-1 |
| Rays | 12-1 |
| Indians | 18-1 |
| Rangers | 20-1 |
| Athletics | 40-1 |
| Angels | 55-1 |
| White Sox | 100-1 |
The Yankees have every right to be favored to win the AL. They continue to bash home runs at a torrid pace and are pitching well enough despite leading the majors by a wide margin in games lost due to injury. But we still believe the Astros should be closer, if not co-favorites with New York.
Houston might not have power in every spot in the lineup like the Yankees, but we'd still take the Astros' pitching staff in a series, juiced-ball era or not.
World Series
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dodgers | 7-2 |
| Yankees | 4-1 |
| Astros | 5-1 |
| Twins | 8-1 |
| Braves | 13-1 |
| Cubs | 15-1 |
| Brewers | 20-1 |
| Red Sox | 25-1 |
| Phillies | 25-1 |
| Rays | 25-1 |
| Cardinals | 30-1 |
| Nationals | 30-1 |
| Indians | 40-1 |
| Rangers | 40-1 |
| Rockies | 60-1 |
| Athletics | 80-1 |
| Reds | 100-1 |
| Angels | 100-1 |
| Padres | 100-1 |
| Diamondbacks | 125-1 |
| Pirates | 125-1 |
| White Sox | 150-1 |
The term "value" often gets misconstrued. Some might say there's "no value" on the Dodgers, or that they're "not a value pick" since they're atop the odds board.
We respectfully disagree.
The Dodgers are far and away the best team in baseball. With depth, an MVP front-runner, and a three-headed monster in the rotation that will give any offense fits in the postseason, we'd take anything at 3-1 on the Dodgers to win the whole thing.
If there's one team to take a flier on, it's the Phillies. The betting market's public darlings saw one of the craziest jumps on their win total once their roster filled out, rising from 83.5 to 89.5. At 44-40 - and playing like 42-42 team - they're currently on pace to fall roughly four wins short of the closing number. Thanks to a 7-13 clip over their last 20 games, they've fallen back in the division to the Braves, who have gone 14-6 over the same stretch. If the Phillies can right the ship in the second half and even nab a wild-card berth, we think Aaron Nola toeing the rubber gives them a great opportunity to advance in the playoffs.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.