MLB Betting Review: Mid-Season & Revised World Series Picks

Now that the All-Star break is past, it’s time to start taking a hard look at the race for the postseason. We’re 12 days away from the non-waiver trade deadline, and while some teams (like the Yankees and Cubs) have already made some moves, there are some others (like Boston and Washington) who could use some more pieces if they want to make a run for the Commissioner’s Trophy handed out to the World Series winner each season. As you consider your  betting strategy for the rest of the season, take a look at our thoughts about the World Series and some other MLB betting predictions.

MLB Betting Review: Mid-Season & Revised World Series Picks

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Dodgers Will Win the National League Pennant

Why? Because they have three starters who can throw dominant ball — Clayton Kershaw, of course, but Alex Wood has better numbers, and Rich Hill has shown that he can nail the edges of the plate on demand.  Sure, the Brewers are pulling away, just a little a bit, from those Cubs, but when Matt Garza is the most compelling pitcher in your rotation, your postseason shelf life is not going to be all that long. Then there are the Nationals, who have Max Scherzer AND Stephen Strasburg, but they won’t throw complete games, and the Nationals haven’t made any moves at this point to show me that they will be able to get clutch pitching once the starters head in for the night.

And what about Clayton Kershaw?

He’s already 14-2 with a 2.18 ERA. If he keeps that ERA, incredibly, it would be his worst finish in five years. He has permitted 1.2 home runs per nine  innings, which is a high number by his standards. However, I see him figuring out how to solve both of those problems, and I also see the Dodgers pushing 110 wins, which given how well the Rockies and Diamondbacks are also playing in that same division, would be an even more incredible feat than what just getting to that plateau would normally mean.

Houston Will Win the American League Pennant

The Astros score 5.92 runs per game, tops in all of Major League Baseball. They have two solid postseason starters in Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr. It is worth noting, though, that both of those starters have already been to the disabled list, with Keuchel suffering from a pinched nerve in his neck — and out since June 2. Mike Fiers has come on as of late, and Charlie Morton is a decent fifth starter, but the Astros need to go out and get another starting pitcher.

But Who Could That Be?

They might not need to look much further than their own division. The Texas Rangers look ready to crash and burn, and they might be ready to send Yu Darvish down Interstate 45 in return for a raft of prospects. Darvish has an amazing curve ball that makes batters look silly, but he’s been leaving that fastball out over the plate way too often this season. The Rangers made a change at pitching coach this season, losing pitcher whisperer Mike Maddux and bringing in Doug Brocail, who seems to specialize in heading out to the mound to advise a pitcher, only to see the next batter hit the ball a long, long way.

What About Sonny Gray?

He missed a lot of time in 2016 due to injuries but has posted a 3.72 ERA this year. His contract is great for Houston, as Gray still has three years of arbitration eligibility. The Astros have plenty of prospects to deal, as they had six of Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects midseason list. So if there’s a way to get one of those starters in their lineup, the Astros will do it. The other contenders in the American League — New York, Boston and Cleveland all have flaws that the Astros won’t have if they add that extra rotation piece. New York and Boston need another solid starting pitcher, and Cleveland needs another bat or two. The Astros would have it all already.

The Dodgers Win In Six

Even with a healthy Keuchel and McCullers, and with Gray (or Darvish or another front-line starter), the Astros still are at best a little less than even with that Dodger rotation. The Dodgers don’t quite have the offensive firepower, but they do get timely hitting — and their bullpen has been better. They would likely have home field advantage with the better record, and I like them to clinch the Series.

Final MLB Betting Predictions

So, will any of these predictions actually happen? We will find out as the season goes on. For now, check out the latest MLB betting updates and guides for upcoming games and the latest odds to win the 2017 World Series. Play ball!