A Look at MLB Futures
The Cubs clinched the Series in 2016. Can they do it again in 2017?
With the MLB season a fourth of the way complete, MLB futures are starting to take shape. And a whole crop of bettors will be looking to place their long-term wagers on the season’s winners and losers. A handful of teams have stepped out to early leads in their respective divisions — giving sportsbooks ample material to set their odds. Of course a lot can happen between now and October but it’s never too soon to start throwing predictions around. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the biggest favorites to win the series come playoff time, as per MLB futures at VegasInsider.
Telling the MLB Futures
The Chicago Cubs
It took the Cubs 108 years to break Baseball’s most haunting and prolific curse. And they did it in true fairytale fashion, with an 8-7, 10-inning victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. Now, in 2017, VegasInsider has given them the best MLB futures odds to repeat a Series victory.
- Fractional Odds to win the World Series: 5/1
The Cubs were the heavy favorite entering into the year. Those odds are liable to look different now that they find themselves third in the Central Division with a 22-20 record. This time last year they were 29-13 with the best record in the league. But now, the odds aren’t exactly in their favor. In modern baseball, parity has made repeat performances a rarity. The last team to win back-to-back World Series trophies was the New York Yankees in 2000. It may take some serious mojo for the Cubs to return to the Promised Land come October.
The Houston Astros
The Astros entered the 2017 season with 11-1 odds to win the World Series. Now many sportsbooks have them listed as the updated favorite to snag the Commissioner’s Trophy. Currently, they sit atop the AL West with a haughty 29-15 record — the best in Baseball. With the help of ace Dallas Keuchel’s 7-0 win-loss record and an ERA of 1.84 in 63.2 innings pitched, Houston has carved out a nice edge in the West and in Vegas sportsbooks.
- Their odds to win the Series: 17/4
Unfortunately, as of 2 days ago, Keuchel was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck. The Astros don’t think it’s serious though; they expect him to miss one start before returning to the lineup. Look for them to continue their stellar play, barring major injuries, for the remainder of the season. Granted, it’s going to be a tight race in the American League with the New York Yankees playing top-notch ball and the Baltimore Orioles close behind them in the East. Speaking of the Yankees…
The New York Yankees
It seems the New York Yankees have been largely absent from World Series talk for some years now. It’s been eight years since they won the Commissioner’s Trophy and another nine before that. They entered the 2017 season with opening odds of 22/1 to win it all. Since then, they’ve been playing fantastic baseball — giving New York fans a long-awaited vision of October glory. Of course, we’re still 120 games out from the finish line but it’s never too early to dream big.
- Their current odds to win the Series: 12/1
With the second best record in the league and the second highest run differential of any team — second only to the LA Dodgers — the Yankees are playing some of their best ball in years. Right fielder Aaron Judge has been a powerhouse for the Yanks this season, knocking in 15 homers and 30 RBIs. New York is 12-1 when Judge hits at least one home run in a game. This is one of the top offenses in the league right now. If they can keep it up, their MLB futures may just look rather bright.
The Cleveland Indians
Last year’s runners-up entered the 2017 season with 11/1 odds to win the Series. After a storybook season in 2016, many expected them to quash the Cubs’ dreams of breaking the Curse of the Billy Goat. Of course, we all know how that story ended: Cubs won for the first time since 1908, while the Indians went home empty handed. This season, the Indians are 23-19 a quarter of the way through the year. They haven’t exactly played outstanding baseball, but they’ve kept the heat up and continue to stay in the race in the AL Central, only one game behind the Minnesota Twins.
- Their odds to win the Series: 15/2
The Indians have not won the World Series since 1948. With the way the American League is shaping up, it’s going to be a tough road for the defending National League champs to get back to the Series. With the help of righty Carlos Carrasco (currently 4-2 with a 2.60 ERA through 52 innings) and heavy hitters, Francisco Lindor, Michael Brantley, and Jose Ramirez, they might just have a shot at redemption when October rolls around.
Well that about wraps up our brief look at MLB futures. What do you think? Can the Cubs do what no team has done since the Yankees in 2000? Will the Astros continue to dominate their way to a Series title? Or will another team emerge from the woodwork as the season goes on? Feel free to weigh in in the comments section. And don’t forget to consult SportsAnalyticsSimulator for all your MLB betting needs.
