MLB 2022 season futures betting preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the clear favorites to win the World Series after adding Freddie Freeman to an already potent lineup. The five-time All-Star signed a six-year deal worth $162 million, which should galvanize the roster ahead of a crucial season. However, the Dodgers will face fierce competition from the Mets, the Braves and the Brewers in the NL, while the AL is also stacked with talented teams. These are the key futures betting markets ahead of the 2022 season:
National League Winner
The Dodgers have been installed as the favorites to win the NL pennant. Some sportsbooks will only go to +210 on Los Angeles, but BetMGM, BetRivers and Unibet are offering a best price of +250. They have won the National League in three of the last five years, and expectations are sky high once again in 2022 thanks to their remarkable organizational depth. Yet question marks remain over their ability to get the job done in October.
The books consider the Mets to be the most likely team to thwart the Dodgers in the NL. They are +525 with BetRivers to win the pennant. Owner Steve Cohen has amassed the largest payroll in the team’s history, and the third highest in major league history, so they will be formidable. Reigning World Series champions Atlanta Braves are next in the betting at +600 with FanDuel after losing Freeman. Caesars has +750 on the Milwaukee Brewers and you can find +950 on the San Diego Padres at DraftKings and FanDuel.
American League Winner
The Houston Astros are the favorites to win the AL for the fourth time in six years. They managed to re-sign star pitcher Justin Verlander to bolster a rotation featuring Lance McCullers Jr. and Framber Valdez, but they will need youngster Jeremy Peña – who has replaced Carlos Correa at shortstop – to hit the ground running. They are +475 with BetMGM, while the Blue Jays and White Sox are next in the betting, both priced at +550. The Yankees are best priced at +600 with FanDuel, while you can get +750 on the Tampa Bay Rays.
That looks like a tempting option. The Rays have been on an upward curve in recent years. They have now reached the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, and they are coming off their first 100-win season. Tampa Bay boasts a wealth of pitching depth, while Wander Franco is a superstar in the making. The White Sox also look interesting at +550. They will certainly miss Carlos Rodón, but have retained the bulk of their 2021 playoff team and Michael Kopech is supremely talented.
World Series Winner
The Dodgers are the +500 favourites to win the World Series with BetMGM. They are well ahead of the Astros in the betting. Houston is the second favorite at +1000 with DraftKings. BetMGM has +1100 on the Blue Jays, and you can find +1150 on the Mets, +1200 on the White Sox, +1300 on the Braves repeating, +1300 on the Yankees and +1600 on the Brewers. The Rays may be an interesting long shot at +1700 with DraftKings. That is a great price, as some rivals will only go to +1300.
Divisional Champions
You can also bet on which division will yield the World Series winner. BetMGM makes the AL East the +280 favorite. That could be an interesting bet, as it covers three strong teams in the Blue Jays, the Yankees and the Rays. The NL West is next at +320, followed by the NL East at +450. DraftKings has +650 on the AL West, +850 on the AL Central and +900 on the AL Central, which lacks depth beyond the White Sox.
Team Wins
You can bet over/under on the number of regular season wins each team will secure. As you can see, the Dodgers have the highest line and the Orioles have the lowest expected tally. These are the average lines at the top sportsbooks, with -110 on over and -110 on under:
- Los Angeles Angels: 84.5
- Houston Astros: 92
- Oakland Athletics: 72.5
- Toronto Blue Jays: 91
- Atlanta Braves: 90
- Milwaukee Brewers: 90
- St. Louis Cardinals: 86
- Chicago Cubs: 73
- Arizona Diamondbacks: 66
- Los Angeles Dodgers: 97.5
- San Francisco Giants: 85.5
- Cleveland Guardians: 76.5
- Seattle Mariners: 86.5
- Miami Marlins: 77
- New York Mets: 89.5
- Washington Nationals: 70.5
- Baltimore Orioles: 61.5
- San Diego Padres: 86.5
- Philadelphia Phillies: 87
- Pittsburgh Pirates: 64.5
- Texas Rangers: 73
- Tampa Bay Rays: 89.5
- Boston Red Sox: 87
- Cincinnati Reds: 73.5
- Colorado Rockies: 71.5
- Kansas City Royals: 76
- Detroit Tigers: 78.5
- Minnesota Twins: 80
- Chicago White Sox: 91.5
- New York Yankees: 92
Cy Young Award Futures
Jacob deGrom is the +400 favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award, ahead of Max Scherzer (+800), Corbin Burnes (+900) and Brandon Woodruff (+1200). Scherzer looks like the best bet to win the award for a fourth time ahead of Mets teammate deGrom, who could be on an innings limit due to an elbow problem. Gerrit Cole leads the betting in the AL at +475, ahead of Shane Bieber (+750), Robbie Ray and Lucas Giolito (+1100). If he remains healthy, Bieber has a great chance of retaining his status as the top pitcher in the AL and +750 is a tempting price.
Rookie of the Year Futures
Bobby Witt Jr. is the +300 favorite to be named AL Rookie of the Year, ahead of Spencer Torkelson (+525) and Adley Rutschman (+800). It is a short price, but +300 on Witt still appeals, as he has all the makings of a superstar and he looks like the best rookie in the MLB right now. The +400 on Oneil Cruz to be named NL Rookie of the Year also looks great.
Season Specials
You can bet on who will earn the most runs or the most stolen bases this season. Juan Soto leads the way in the most runs betting, ahead of Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Trea Turner, while Adalberto is the frontrunner in the stolen bases futures. Bo Bichette is the favorite at +1100 to get the most hits. Betting on whether each team will reach the playoffs is also available, along with the player that will earn the most wins.
