Roughly one quarter of the way into the 2022 MLB season, we are starting to get an idea of which teams will be genuinely challenging for honors, as the oddsmakers pay close attention to collective form and results.
Likewise, the performances of individual players can always come under close scrutiny, especially for those regarded as contenders for the various awards. However, the markets available for awards can often be fluid, as players frequently change places in the betting stakes.
But even before focusing on the individual markets, finding the right source of information is always handy. The latest SBO online sports betting guide aims to cover every angle, focusing in identifying the best free bets and bonuses, alongside site reviews and advice on how to use them.
Given the popularity of MLB wagering, there is now a huge array of markets available, including those featuring the game-by-game odds or the outright winner selections. Mindful of the latter, let’s take a look at teams and players tipped for greatness in the 2022 MLB season.
World Series Winner
Arguably the most popular of the futures markets, the World Series odds usually generate plenty of interesting debate, as oddsmakers and pundits alike make their predictions. As the reigning 2021 MLB champions, pretty much every sportsbook around is tipping the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022, although there’s an important caveat to consider.
No team has won back-to-back World Series titles in the last 21 years. Sure, there are those who came agonizingly close, yet close is never enough if you happened to back the runner-up. The last franchise to win consecutive World Series titles was the New York Yankees, doing so three times in 1998, 1999, and 2000.
As one of the habitual futures favorites each and every season, it will come as no surprise that the Yankees are once again tipped for the top, second only to the Dodgers. Just as interesting, the New York Mets are seen as roughly even to the Yankees, insofar as the betting stakes are concerned, while the Houston Astros are expected to be there or thereabouts again.
Having produced the World Series winner for the last three seasons, the National League is just ahead of the American League again, according to the bookies. That being said, the AL East is regarded as having the best chance of producing a World Series winner, although that’s probably in consideration of the New York Yankees, rather than our very own Baltimore Orioles.
MLB MVP Awards
Picking the potential winners of player awards can be amongst the most challenging markets, given how odds can fluctuate throughout the season. The biggest prize up for grabs is, of course, the annual MVP awarded to the best player in each of the American League and the National League.
In the American League, the official MLB site is lavishing praise upon Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, who is the current MVP betting favorite. He is closely followed by 2021 MVP winner Shohei Ohtani at the Los Angeles Angels, then his teammate Mike Trout, who has already won the award three times.
Over in the National League stakes, Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers is top choice, having won the AL MVP in 2018. The only rivals tipped to come close are Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres, then Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals.
MLB Rookie of the Year Prospects
As the futures market prone to fluctuating more frequently than others, the American League and National League Rookie of the Year awards are often hotly contested. However, current betting is following the same trend as Baseball America reporters, who recently highlighted their top choices.
Looking at the American League options, Jeremy Peña is the firm bet for the Houston Astros, closely followed by Julio RodrÃguez of the Seattle Mariners. Both some way ahead of everyone else in the early betting stakes, including Adley Rutschman, who is also in contention despite the slow start to his career with the Orioles.
Turning attention to the National League options for the Rookie of the Year award, bookies everywhere seem to favor MacKenzie Gore, the pitcher who is enamoring fans of the San Diego Padres. But if anyone else can compete for the honor, latest odds highlight Seiya Suzuki at the Los Angeles Angels as a possible contender, along with Keibert Ruiz of the Washington Nationals.
Choose Carefully
As with any betting activity, following the form and the statistics is always crucial, as is making sure you choose the right betting sites to begin with. Always check and compare the latest odds for each betting market, without forgetting to look at any offers and promotions available. Finally, always make sure to bet responsibly and stay entertained, whenever wagering and having fun watching the MLB.
