Now that the dog days of summer are winding down, the stretch run toward the playoffs is about to begin. In the American League, the division races are wide open. Indeed, there is nothing close to being settled with the baseball betting odds.
In the AL East, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are in a neck-and-neck race for the lead. Still, whoever finishes second will make the postseason with a wild-card berth. In the AL Central, the Cleveland Guardians continue to have a small lead over the Minnesota Twins.
2024 MLB Future Market Analysis
Cause of the expanded wild card format, future market betting offers more opportunities than ever for MLB betting. Gamblers must be informed about keeping track of injuries. Also, they must monitor lineup and pitching changes and, most of all, price fluctuations. Still, the general rules of gambling will apply. Branding and public perception will control the price point of the odds. The key is for bettors to match the best ability, current form, and price.
Meanwhile, in the AL West, the Houston Astros have finally caught and overtaken the Seattle Mariners. But Houston’s sportsbook lead is small. The Twins, Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, and Seattle Mariners are in the thick of the wild card race.
In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies are maintaining a dominant lead over the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. In like manner, the Milwaukee Brewers dominate the National League Central, with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals behind. By contrast, the best race is in the NL West. There, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a small lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. The Diamondbacks, Padres, Braves, and Mets are fighting it out for NL wild card position.
The National League West has been the Dodgers’ personal property for over a decade. Since 2013, the Dodgers have won the West every MLB odds year but once. Yet the Dodgers have only three World Series appearances and one title in that span. Most important of all, the Dodgers did not offer good wagering value in that period. Los Angeles is the most public team on the board. LA has consistently high prices above what it should be. Therefore, a loss sets gamblers back for long periods.
This year, the Dodgers are again in the red. Namely, Mookie Betts was out with a broken hand for nearly half the season before finally returning. The Betts injury was one of several that held the Dodgers back. Los Angeles is -453 units this season. Also, they offer no relief in the run line at -475. Gamblers should handle the Dodgers with care the rest of the way.
Despite all its problems, Los Angeles remains the betting favorite to win the World Series. Gamblers must ask if that is justified. Perhaps Betts’s return can make it so.
The Yankees are like the Dodgers in that they have a massive brand and public appeal. Yet, to New York’s credit, they often bring a better return than the Dodgers. So far this year the Bronx Bombers are +703 in money line units with +743 on the run line. Since July 27, the Yankees have been one of the hottest teams on the board, reasserting its challenge of the AL East.