Betting on MLB futures is so much fun. We are barely 10 games into the season for most teams, so there is no telling what anyone is going to look like a month from now, let alone at the end of the season.
If you are looking for value, though, now is the time to find it. With that in mind, let's examine a few of the many MLB futures markets available at sportsbooks and find markets worth keeping an eye on.
It might even be worth it to skip your morning latte for a couple of days and put a few dollars on them before their odds get shorter.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Best MLB Futures Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)
World Series
St. Louis Cardinals to Win the World Series (+10000)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ win total opened at 76.5 games. They won 83 last season, but expectations coming into the season were pretty low for the Cardinals. At 4-5, they don't look to be wrong. However, St. Louis has the highest batting average in baseball right now (.301).
But if they are hitting so well, how come they're not winning? Well, when the pitching staff has an ERA of 6.01 and opponents are hitting .259 against you, it's hard to win games.
Now, it's not realistic to expect them to keep their average that high. But if they continue to hit well and get their pitching woes figured out, could they make a run? It's possible. The 2003 Marlins started 3-6 and went on to beat the Yankees in six games in the World Series.
Is it possible? Sure. Probable? Of course not. But if you happen to have $10 you can spare in your bankroll, there are worse ways to spend $10.
American League Rookie of the Year
Jake Mangum wasn't on the roster for Opening Day, but it didn't take long to call him up (March 29). He has since played in six out of seven games and is hitting .435 with four RBI and four stolen bases (tied for first among American League rookies and tied for second in the American League). He only has two extra base hits (out of 10 hits), but power is not something he's known for.
Mangum has struck out only three times and walked once, so he is putting the ball into play more often than not. He will not hit over .400 for the entire season, of course. But if he remains on the roster once Josh Lowe or Richie Palacios are ready to come off the injured list (IL), he's played too well not to get playing time. If he does and continues to play like he has, he'll be in American League Rookie of the Year conversations.
With preseason odds of +3500, Jack Leiter was not quite in the conversation for American League Rookie of the Year, but he was on the periphery of it. Now, after two starts (both wins), in which he threw five innings each, he's given up just six hits and one earned run (0.90 ERA) while striking out 10 and walking one.
Playing for a team with high expectations like the Rangers will help his case, especially if they keep winning (8-2 after 10 games). Why? Because that means voters will notice him even more than if he were playing for a team with a losing record. It's not mandatory to play for a winning team, but it sure doesn't hurt.
Leiter’s odds will not stay where they are for long if he keeps pitching well and winning games.
American League Reliever of the Year
Luke Jackson (RP – TEX): +1000
Three of the last four winners led the American League in saves. While Luke Jackson leads the American League in saves at the moment with five, he is certainly not a lock to maintain that lead with 150+ games to go. But if the Rangers keep winning games, the opportunities will be there.
