The first pitch of the MLB season is just about here.
It felt as though this day might be delayed when owners were locking out players, but opening day is here and it’s time to enjoy America’s Favorite Pastime.
It seems like just yesterday when the Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros to win the 2021 World Series. The Braves won Game Six of the World Series in Houston and took the World Series trophy back to Atlanta to celebrate.
Both teams lost major stars in the off-season but are still among the favorites to win their leagues.
Freddie Freeman left the Braves to join the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers for a long-term deal.
Astros shortstop Carlos Correa took his talents to the Minnesota Twins for a shorter deal that could see him playing elsewhere soon.
According to the BetMGM Nevada Sportsbook, the Astros are +475 to win the American League pennant.
The Braves are +600 and second behind the Dodgers (+250) to take home the National League title.
Odds To Win The 2022 World Series
Last year’s participants in the MLB championship series are both among the top 10 teams with the shortest odds to win the World Series this year.
The Astros are +1000. The Braves are +1200 to win the World Series.
BetMGM is a national sportsbook operator. However, the BetMGM Nevada sportsbooks sometimes have different odds than the rest of the country.
Here’s a look at the odds for every MLB team to win the World Series at BetMGM Nevada:
Los Angeles Dodgers: +500
Toronto Blue Jays: +900
Houston Astros: +1000
New York Mets: +1000
New York Yankees: +1100
Chicago White Sox: +1100
Atlanta Braves: +1200
Tampa Bay Rays: +1400
Milwaukee Brewers: +1600
San Diego Padres: +1600
Boston Red Sox: +1800
St. Louis Cardinals: +2000
San Francisco Giants: +2500
Seattle Mariners: +2500
Los Angeles Angels: +2500
Philadelphia Phillies: +2500
Detroit Tigers: +3500
Minnesota Twins: +5000
Miami Marlins: +6600
Texas Rangers: +8000
Cincinnati Reds: +10000
Cleveland Guardians: +10000
Kansas City Royals: +10000
Oakland Athletics: +10000
Chicago Cubs: +10000
Washington Nationals: +10000
Colorado Rockies: +20000
Arizona Diamondbacks: +25000
Pittsburgh Pirates: +25000
Baltimore Orioles: +25000
Unlike most other sports, the MLB futures odds at BetMGM are similar to the rest of the country. The three teams bet most at BetMGM sportsbooks around the US are:
- Mets with 11.2% of the wagers to win the World Series.
- Dodgers 11.0%
- Blue Jays 8.7%
BetMGM has the biggest liability if any of these teams win the World Series:
- Mets
- Phillies
- Blue Jays
MLB Player Awards Betting
Prior to the national expansion of sports betting, individual player props are futures were a small market. That’s changing as many national media outlets are including player odds when discussing potential award winners.
BetMGM and other Nevada sportsbooks now offer ample individual player bets before and during the season. Here’s a look at the three lowest individual player futures odds from BetMGM Nevada.
2022 MVP Odds
AL MVP
- Shohei Otani: +350
- Mike Trout: +450
- Vladamir Guerrero Jr.: +500
Interesting note: Louis Roberts’ odds are still +3000 despite BetMGM having more wagers on him to win the AL MVP than any other player.
NL MVP
- Juan Soto: +300
- Ronald Acuna Jr.: +700
- Bryce Harper and Mookie Betts: +1000
Useful note: Fernando Tatis fell to +2000 after being ruled out for the beginning of the season due to injury.
BetMGM has more tickets on Harper to win the NL MVP than any other player. However, more money has been wagered on Marcell Ozuna (+8000) to win the award.
2022 Cy Young Odds
AL Cy Young
- Gerrit Cole: +425
- Shane Beiber: +800
- Lucas Giolito: +1100
There are more wagers on Shohei Ohtani (+2000) to win the AL Cy Young than anyone else. More money has been wagered on Giolito to win the AL Cy Young than any other player.
NL Cy Young
- Max Sherzer: +600
- Corbin Burnes: +800
- Walker Beuhler: +900
Unfortunate note: Odds for Jacob deGrom dropped to +1200 after his recent injury disclosure. Prior to the injury, there were more wagers and money on deGrom than anyone else. At this point, BetMGM has the most liability on Ranger Suarez on the Philadelphia Phillies.
2022 Rookie Of The Year Odds
Rookie of the year odds are some of the most fun to track. Like all other player odds, these fluctuate greatly throughout the year as players perform.
There’s more volatility with new players than with those who have a track record. The Rookie Of The Year odds have some of the largest and most frequent changes throughout the year. This gives plenty of time to find players at great prices that could prove fruitful at the end of the season.
AL Rookie Of The Year
- Bobby Witt Jr.: +300
- Julio Rodriguez: +400
- Spencer Torkelson: +500
Julio Rodriguez is by far the most popular AL Rookie of The Year candidate. There were more wagers and money placed on the Mariners rookie than any other. He also carries the biggest liability for BetMGM.
NL Rookie Of The Year
- Seiya Suzuki: +350
- Oneil Cruz: +425
- Hunter Green: +700
Useful note: Cruz will start the season in the minor leagues.
Since Fernando Tatis Jr. won’t start the season with the San Diego Padres, all eyes are on the new shortstop. C.J. Abrams (currently +1000) has more money and bets on him than any other player in the running to win the NL Rookie Of The Year.
2022 MLB Rules Changes
MLB has a few rules changes this year.
These could have more impact on regular-season games than futures odds. The biggest change is that all teams will be allowed to use a designated hitter. Pitchers may hit, but in general, this means fewer pitchers will be hitting.
While most pitchers won’t be batting, those who do may stay in the game after they’re done pitching. The “Ohtani Rule” allows pitchers that also bat during a game, like 2021 AL MVP Shohei Ohtani, to stay in the game to hit after they’re done pitching.
This rule could make for interesting Opener/DH options. While Ohtani stands alone with his ability to pitch deep into games and hit, there are plenty of batters who may be best throwing an inning or two.
There will be a different number of active players on MLB rosters during the season. Through May 1st, teams may have 28 players (29 for doubleheaders). The roster is reduced to 26 after the opening month.
Beginning May 2, only 13 pitchers will be allowed on each MLB roster. Additionally, pitchers and two-way players will only be allowed on the 15-day Injured List. This could reduce the number of pitchers shuffling between major and minor league franchises.
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