A betting preview of the 2015 MLB season

The oldest league in America has once again commenced, as Major League Baseball began it’s innings for the season in early April. Thus far it is only the Detroit Tigers and the Atlanta Braves who remain unbeaten. It is highly improbable, in fact, virtually impossible, for these two to remain unbeaten for much longer. They won’t care about that though, all they will be wanting is to remain high in the league standings and make it to the postseason.

When it comes to betting opportunities, there are few better than the MLB. The unpredictable nature of the league means that every franchise has attractive odds. Below we go through some select bets that could see you lining your pockets come October 4.

World Series winner

We will start with who looks likely to end the season with World Series glory, which has proved rather problematic to choose in recent years. This season the betting favours quite a few teams.

By  acaben 

The Washington Nationals are the current favourites with Betfair at a price of 6.5. Their start to the season has been rather torrid though – proven by their 1-4 record. However, it was a very tough start for the Nationals, taking on the New York Yankees and the Mets, as well as the Philadelphia Phillies. Alarm bells should not be ringing at all; actually, this tough start is actually of benefit to the Nationals. Playing good teams naturally makes you raise your game, and that is what the Nationals have been doing, so it’s surely only a matter of time before they find their groove.

The Nationals have never won the World Series but they did compete in the postseason last year, after winning the Eastern Division. Unfortunately they went down in four games to the San Francisco Giants in the National League Division Series. Expect the Nationals to once again successfully challenge for the Eastern Division title and have another stab at the World Series.

By  kla4067 

On the other side of the States you have the L.A. Dodgers, who are likely the side you shoukd you put your money on, even if the bookmakers currently regard them as just the second-favourites to see success. It has been 25 long years since the Dodgers last won a World Series, which is an absolute travesty. Although the days of Kirk Gibson and Orel Hershiser, both pivotal members of the successful 1988 side, are long gone, they should return to prominence this year.

The Dodgers have an absolutely fantastic side, with strength from front to back. If you look at some of the players they have allowed through the door you can see that they really mean business this season. Acquiring Brandon McCarthy on a four-year deal was a smart piece of business, as was the one year deal for fellow pitcher, Brett Anderson. Throw in the hugely impressive outfielder Yasiel Plug – not to mention the likes of – Adrian Gonzalez, Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw – and it isn’t hard to see just how much of a threat the Dodgers are. The Dodger Stadium occupants have won the West Division title for the past two seasons, and this year will be no different. The only thing stopping the Dodgers from winning the World Series is themselves. They need to get past this losing psychology at the final hurdle; once they do they can turn themselves into one of the most dominant sides in baseball history.

As always though, baseball isn’t exactly clear cut. Betfair have also instilled the L.A. Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and the San Diego Padres as favourable bets. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants – winner of the 2014 and 2012 World Series – have a price of 21.00, showing just how competitive the playing field is this season.

Outside bets

It is usually pretty hard for an outsider to make it all the way to the World Series match; the difficult postseason usually makes sure of that. Just because select sides may not have a chance of winning the World Series it is not to say that they won’t win their division. It is in this betting where you can find superb value bets.

By  Keith Allison 

We start with the National League East, Washington’s division. Understandably the Nationals are overwhelming favourites, but nothing is guaranteed. Considering their unbeaten start, the Atlanta Braves, with a staggering price of 29.00, are worth an outside bet. If they can maintain this unbeaten start for at least another five games, then they will be doing their record the world of good and could even put themselves out of sight. April looks set to be a tough month for the Braves, but if they emerge in decent shape, why not? It is an outside bet, but if it comes off then it could prove very lucrative indeed.

By  Keith Allison 

In the American League East, we could easily witness a victory for Canada. The Toronto Blue Jays, who are expected to perform rather well this season, find themselves second favourites to the Red Sox, who are by no means the be all and end all in the AL East. The Blue Jays seemingly have the bit between their teeth and are well worth a punt.

MVP

This type of market is very difficult to predict. Player markets are notoriously hard to get right and more often than not, good players in poor teams shine, and as such give themselves a better chance of being named the league’s MVP.

Last season we saw Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) named the MVP of the NL, with city rival Mike Trout (Angels) scooping the award for the AL. Considering the talent of these two men – and the fruitful seasons they are expected to have – it would come at absolutely no surprise to see them retain.

Trout is the favourite for the AL MVP but is likely to see fierce competition from Jose Abreu, Robinson Cano, and Miguel Cabrera. Over in the NL, Kershaw is actually the third favourite, with Andrew McCutchen and Mike Stanton preferred at this stage in the season. Stanton, especially, is expected to shine this year.

A little further down the odds you have some nice outside shouts: Jason Heyward in the NL, and Adrian Beltre in the AL.

Regardless of whether you win anything this season, just enjoy it.