2023 MLB Pennant Futures Update
With only a week to go until the MLB All-Star Break let’s take a look at the odds to win the pennant in both the American League and the National League.
At the Bovada Sportsbook the oddsmakers have listed the Tampa Bay Rays as +220 favorites to win the AL pennant. The Rays currently own the best record in the AL and have a six-game lead atop the AL East. Tampa Bay also owns the top run differential in all of baseball. However, injuries have battered the Rays’ starting rotation all season with Jeffrey Springs and Shane Baz and Drew Rasmussen all on the IL and earlier this week ace Shane McClanahan joined them, so don’t be surprised if the Rays make a few moves at the trade deadline to bolster their staff.
Following the Rays on the AL pennant future are the Houston Astros at +475, the Texas Rangers at +500, and the New York Yankees at +800.
Houston sits second in the AL West, three games back of the Rangers. The Astros, the defending AL and World Series champs, are also dealing with some injuries to big names right now with Yordan Alvarez and Framber Valdez both sidelined. If Houston gets healthy in August they could give the Rangers a run for the division.
The Rangers may be the best value bet on the AL odds at +500. Texas has the best scoring offense in all of baseball and their pitching has been surprisingly strong despite Jacob deGrom’s season being cut short by Tommy John surgery.
Braves strong betting favorites to claim NL pennant
In the NL the Atlanta Braves are strong favorites to win the pennant at +170. During the month of June the Braves were nearly unbeatable with a 21-4 record and they just had a nine-game winning streak snapped. Atlanta sending eight players to the All-Star game shows the overall strength of its roster and it’s led by Ronald Acuna Jr. who’s putting up MVP-calibre numbers.
Following the Braves on the NL pennant odds are the Los Angeles Dodgers at +290, and the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants both at +1000.
The Dodgers' time as the NL’s best team looks to be ending, and right now they’re not even the best team in the NL West. An injury to Clayton Kershaw puts more pressure on a Los Angeles starting rotation that has looked very beatable at times this season.
Arizona’s rise to contender status started ahead of schedule and right now they’re leading the NL West with the second-best record in the NL. Not bad for a team that started the season as +4000 longshots to win the NL. Rookie of the Year candidate Corbin Carroll has hit the ground running while ace Zac Gallen is also a top contender in the Cy Young award race.
If you’re looking for value on the NL pennant odds try the Cincinnati Reds at +3000. Like the Diamondbacks the Reds were pretty much an afterthought heading into the season but right now they lead the NL Central. The Reds may not be in the class of the Braves right now, but if they can get into the postseason anything can happen.