Baseball is back! With it comes the opportunity to dig into many of the team and player prop bets being offered by sports books around the country. After a year in which spectators were kept away from ballparks due to the pandemic, the yell of “Play Ball!” on opening day this season means that fans are back in the stands, a full season schedule will be played, and the start of a journey for many sports bettors as they follow their MLB season prop bets in hopes of cashing in October. Here are some team and player props to note for the upcoming MLB season.
MLB Divisions & Win Totals
Al East: Yankees -220 (Circa) You can take a shot at the Rays or Blue Jays at +500, but the Yankees are favored to take care of things in the AL East. Gerrit Cole will carry the load on the mound for the Bronx Bombers, however the balance of the starting pitching staff in New York is suspect. Especially when you have -220 staring back at you. In my opinion, there are too many question marks here and the chalky number is a tough pill to swallow if you’re backing the Yankees as division winners – there’s value elsewhere.
AL Central: Royals 50-1 (William Hill) Yes, the Royals. At 50-1, are worth a shot given their veteran bats and interesting group of young pitchers. Their pen should be serviceable as well. If you want a back up plan to cover this longshot play, even money can be had on the White Sox. The middle of the Sox lineup is plenty scary and their bullpen is much improved. Their new manager Tony LaRussa is a proven winner and he has the talent on this team to take the division. Vegas has the right number (+100) hanging on the White Sox.
AL West: Astros +120 (Westgate) The Astros are head and shoulders above the rest in this division but you will be hard pressed to find a number above +150. Outside of Houston, AL West pitching is not very good and the Astros basically have to get by Oakland to get the division title. It’s a 2-horse race and if you feel Houston will finish ahead of Oakland, and I believe they will, you could do worse betting another team at +130.
NL East: Marlins 50-1 (Circa) The best value on the board for MLB Division Winners is with the Marlins. The hype continues on the Mets while the Nationals pitching staff has Scherzer, Strausburg and then what? The Braves are the class of this division but if they falter, the Marlins have the young arms (Alcaranta, Rogers, Hernandez) that could carry them further than many think.
NL Central: I think the odds here are pretty tight but I will give the nod to the Brewers at +200. I don’t like the Cardinals pitching staff after their ace Jack Flaherty and I certainly don’t like St. Louis enough to pull the trigger on them to win the division at +135. This division is light on arms and I think the Brewers have the edge in pitching. At +200, the Brew Crew is worth a play.
NL West: Dodgers -300. Los Angeles offers little value at -300 but their assemblage of pitching and hitting is tops in all MLB. If you’re looking for something else to bet in the NL West, a play on the Giants Over 74.5 season wins should be considered. SF’s starting pitching is serviceable and their veteran bats will play.
Player props of note……
Most Regular Season Home Runs
Mike Trout 14-1 (Westgate)
Miguel Sano 42-1 (Circa)
Matt Olsen 32-1 (Circa)
Most Regular Season MLB Hits
Trea Turner 12-1 (William Hill)
Whit Merrifield 12-1 (William Hill)
Eddie Rosario 125-1 (William Hill)
Jeff McNeil 35-1 (William Hill)
Most RBI MLB Season
Freddie Freeman 25-1 (William Hill)
Eugenio Suarez 40-1 (William Hill)
Eddie Rosario 100-1 (William Hill)
American League MVP
Brandon Lowe 250-1 (Circa)
Teoscar Hernandez 250-1 (Circa)
National League MVP
Bryce Harper +1200 (Circa)
Juan Soto +675 (Circa)
Corey Seager +1250 (Circa)
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