The All-Star break has ended and the second-half of the MLB season is underway. We decided to bring together some of our top fantasy analysts and our betting experts to discuss some of these interesting stories.
There are many betting options, including World Series winners and MVP and Cy Young races. We looked through everything to determine the best choices for the future.
Caesars Sportsbook offers all odds.
1. The New York Yankees (+400), Los Angeles Dodgers (+400) Houston Astros (+450) are the favorites going into the second half. Which of these three teams, if any, are you backing for the World Series victory?
I don’t see how anyone can place a confident bet against the odds. Houston Astros. This franchise competed in three of five World Series. In the two other seasons, it was in the American League Championship Series. Some names have changed, but not all. Yordan Alvarez It is amazing. Justin Verlander This is amazing. The Astros do not need the No. 1 seed in the AL. Houston boasts a strong rotation, a bullpen that will likely grow before the deadline and a depth lineup. It should have won all four Yankee Stadium games in June. The Astros won two of the contests and led late in two. The Astros seem to have much better odds than the Yankees. Eric Karabell
At those odds, I don’t feel passionately about any one team. There are easy cases that each team can win it all. One thing that might influence me is the trade tendencies displayed by these three teams at the deadline in the last half-decade. Los Angeles Dodgers They tend to be the most comprehensive in their approach to supplementing their portfolio. (See: Yu Darvish, Brian Dozier, Manny Machado, Max Scherzer Trea Turner.) I am able to swing the ball in their direction because they are already in the top three of the odds. — Tristan H. Cockcroft
The Dodgers While they project to be the best team, it is difficult to predict who will win. They’re known for being good and the lines reflect that. However, the price of +400 for LA is reasonable. The same price as New York and nearly the same as Houston. LA is superior to both and has weaker league competition. If you were to wager on anyone, it would be LA. — Derek Carty
2. Which long shot could you see making an October run?
It’s the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s been the Brewers (+1800) since inception. Their pitching is what has made them so successful. Defending Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes Another amazing season is underway, and while Brandon Woodruff Freddy Peralta We know they can do it, even though they may not be. Milwaukee has a formidable 1-2 bullpen punch. Devin Williams Josh HaderEven though the lefty has been struggling of late, he still deserves it. Although the Brewers have not had much success in playoffs during this five-year span, which began with losing Game 7 at Dodger Stadium in 2018, the 2018 National League Championship Series, Burnes is enough to be taken seriously. Karabell
I would love to select the Brewers, but I have to agree with the St. Louis Cardinals I am a +3500 bettor, as I believe both teams have the potential to make deep postseason runs. Although the Cardinals’ starting pitchers are not of elite quality, it is still a good team. Adam WainwrightHis tweaks in 2021-22 make he a legitimate ace, and one who can go deep every outing. The bullpen is also pretty solid. What about the offense? Wainwright is a veteran leader. Nolan Arenado Paul Goldschmidt In October. The NL Central’s bottom three players look awfully weak so I believe it’s a lock that the Cardinals join the Brewers in October. The NL Central could be St. Louis’s if there are the right injuries to Brewers pitchers. Cockcroft
The Cardinals The World Series is at +3500 and the NL at +1600, respectively. This 50-win club has a plus 65 run differential. It is more representative of a 54 win team. The Cardinals have been underperforming by four wins in the first half. St. Louis is currently just half a game behind Milwaukee, but it’s more important than that, as the Cardinals have the easiest schedule in baseball, they have the best opponents, which combine to produce a winning percentage just.453. — Joe Fortenbaugh
The Philadelphia Phillies My odds of winning the World Series at 35/1 or 17/1 respectively look strong. They have been underrated from a talent perspective all year. Markets don’t give them proper treatment and fans don’t give them credit. (They were the 6th most profitable team against spread this year according to THE BATX projection system). They have the most straightforward schedule for the rest of the season with three inter-division series each against Washington, Miami, and several strong nondivision matchups such as Pittsburgh twice and Cincinnati twice plus the Cubs and Arizona. With the eventual return to Bryce HarperThe odds of THE BAT X having the third-best baseball record over the remainder of the season are 35/1. — Carty
3. Shohei Ohtani With odds of winning the AL MVP title, (-110) is the favorite. Aaron Judge (+140) just behind him. Is there a dark horse emerging or which one are you playing?
It seems unlikely that Ohtani will win another MVP award while playing for a team below 500. The Angels are awful. Judge should challenge for 60 home runs to be the MVP, but don’t be surprised if Judge loses. Seattle Mariners For the rookie Julio Rodriguez (+10,000) He becomes the hot player. He could win MVP and Fred Lynn in the same season. If the Mariners continue to win, and break their 21-year streak of missing playoffs, then he is a possibility. Rodriguez was not a great player in April but has improved tremendously since then. He is the best player in baseball for a 30-31 season. It is not hard to imagine that this kind of success would appeal to voters. Karabell
I’m a Yordan Alvarez (+1400) This is a great pick. He ended the season on the injured roster due to a hand injury. It casts some doubt as to how he will fare in the second half. This man is incredible and should be noted for his hitting feats alongside Ohtani, Judge. After all, Alvarez is Far Major league leader in wRC+ (197) and wOBA(.442), as well as slugging percentages (.653). He’s also batting.306 Cockcroft
4. Shane McClanahan Verlander (+260), and (+220), are currently neck-and-neck in the AL Cy Young race. Are you fond of one of them or do you prefer someone else like Ohtani (+600), or Gerrit Cole (+800) Worth placing a bet?
Throw a betting dart on Toronto Blue Jays RHP Alek Manoah (+2000), too. Manoah, who struck out three batters in a scoreless inning, was one of the All-Star Game’s stars. He also narrated for the TV microphones, reminding viewers that his numbers are close to McClanahan or Verlander. Although wins shouldn’t be important, Manoah is already at double figures in this category. Manoah could throw more innings. He could win more games. We don’t know. Manoah just seems to have at most one shot. Karabell
The Manoah pick is a good value for money. But, I would love to have it in a different color. Gerrit ColeHe has a distinct advantage over the rest, and the Yankees plan to squeeze 33 runs out of him. This is something that resonates well with voters. It was a significant factor in last years balloting. I expect it to be again this election. Cockcroft
5. Is there anything else that you are watching in the betting world, as we enter the second half of this season?
I am intrigued by three division races: the NL Central (AL Central), NL East (NL East). By the end of the season I expect at least two teams in those divisions to be out of first. The Cardinals are only half a game behind the Brewers. They have suffered many injuries in the first half, and have been consistent linked to them. Juan Soto as a potential deadline-deal addition. They have the potential to add Soto, regardless of whether they land him. I enjoy St. Louis (+150). To win the NL Central. This price is too tempting. — Tyler Fulghum
I am taking a flyer Soto (+6000). To win the NL MVP. If he’s traded, there is a lot of risk. However, if he keeps his job in the NL you should be concerned. His Home Run Derby performance showed he’s now healthy. He’ll be the talk of the town if he lands on a contender such as the Padres to help them win. Current odds suggest a chance of 1.64%. Why not? — Fortenbaugh
The saves leader prop seems more interesting to me this season than previous seasons due to the struggles and popularity of the current leader (Hader), along with the unexpected inclusions in the top 12 ().Daniel Bard, Gregory Soto, Jorge Lopez Clay Holmes). Here’s an idea: Will Smith You can find the Atlanta Braves The Braves recorded a league-leading 19 saves following the All Star break last season. I expect the Braves will be just as competitive in the second period. Kenley Jansen (+900) He is just five saves away from the lead and is ready to score a lot more saves for Atlanta. Cockcroft
Many will ignore it (the public doesn’t learn), but don’t be afraid to place your bets on underdogs. Everybody knows who the top teams are and sportsbooks also know that most people don’t like to bet against bad teams. To bet on the best teams you must pay a premium. That means you get a discount on bad teams. The following are the “bad” teams that have been among the top four profit-making teams this year against the spread: Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers?, and Arizona Diamondbacks. You don’t have to place bets on these teams every time. However, if the matchup and odds dictate it (a great projection can help a lot with picking these spots), then you shouldn’t be afraid of placing bets on “bad” teams. — Carty