Just over five weeks remain in the MLB season, but several playoff spots are still in play. The Detroit Tigers are more than an arm’s length away from the Minnesota Twins, but at least a few key series victories recently show that the team is not giving up.
If the Tigers want to kick themselves, it would be over June, when the team went 9-18 and plummeted in the division race. Still, Tigers fans have plenty of reasons to watch baseball over the next 60 days or so of the regular season. The best MLB betting sites are another good reason to watch baseball: exclusive promos and bonus bets are waiting for new Michigan sports bettors.
Today we check in on the odds for the playoffs, pennant and World Series.
AL Central division odds
It’s too early to talk about magic numbers, which is not good news for the Minnesota Twins, who seem to want to find a way to fumble away the division. Minnesota is 4.5 games ahead of the Guardians, who have an ace in the hole: Tito Francona, the best manager at spurring a team into the playoffs. Detroit is 11-10 in August, which hasn’t helped in their pursuit (Minnesota is only 11-9).
Odds from BetMGM have the Twins at -1600, with Cleveland at +1100. Detroit is way back at +6600. This means a winning $100 bet on the Tigers to win the division would pay out $6,600. There was a time when that much money could buy a new automobile off the assembly line in Detroit, but even though that’s impossible now, it would still be a nice addition to any bank account.
Detroit does not play Minnesota or Cleveland again this season. It’s very unlikely Detroit can erase a 7-game deficit and leapfrog two teams to get into the postseason tournament.
AL pennant odds
The AL West race is thrilling: only 1.5 games separate the Rangers, Astros, and Mariners in that division. It’s possible each of those teams will make the playoffs. Oddsmakers at BetMGM MI have the Rangers and Astros at +325 to win the American League pennant, the shortest odds among AL teams. Here are the top teams based on odds to win the AL flag.
| Teams | Odds |
|---|---|
| Astros | +325 |
| Rangers | +325 |
| Orioles | +425 |
| Rays | +500 |
| Mariners | +800 |
| Blue Jays | +800 |
| Twins | +1100 |
| Red Sox | +6000 |
| Guardians | +10000 |
Where can you find some good value in the AL Pennant odds from BetMGM? The Seattle Mariners have never won a pennant, but this team, led by the dynamic Julio Rodriguez, has a sort of camaraderie that could serve them well in the playoffs. We also like the Boston Red Sox as a longshot to capture the flag, at enticing +6000 odds. A $20 winner on that futures bet would win $1,200. Use the code MLIVEMGM when signing up to get a first bet offer get up to $1,000 paid back in bonus bets, if you don’t win.
NL pennant odds
The National League has two dominant teams in the Braves and the Dodgers. The odds from BetMGM have them at +140 and +180, respectively. Those two franchises have won two of the last three World Series. Each has powerful lineups and deep pitching staffs.
| Teams | Odds |
|---|---|
| Braves | +140 |
| Dodgers | +180 |
| Phillies | +850 |
| Brewers | +1300 |
| Cubs | +1800 |
| Giants | +2200 |
| Marlins | +3500 |
| Diamondbacks | +3500 |
| Reds | +4000 |
The Phillies might finish 15 games behind the Braves, but odds are listed at +850 on them to win a second straight NL pennant. We just don’t see the Phils having the same kind of magical run they did last October. Our longshot wager for the NL flag would be the Giants, who have a great manager and a pitching staff built to win short series in the playoffs.
World Series odds
Familiar names are at the top of the odds boards for World Series winners. BetMGM has Atlanta prices as the favorite at +310, with the Dodgers and Astros listed next:
| Teams | Odds |
|---|---|
| Braves | +310 |
| Dodgers | +425 |
| Astros | +700 |
| Rangers | +800 |
| Orioles | +1000 |
| Rays | +1100 |
| Mariners | +1600 |
| Phillies | +1800 |
If we had to pick one of the favorites, we would slap $100 on the Astros. If we had to pick a long shot, we’d feel comfortable leaning into the Padres at +8000. Also, take a look at the Giants at +4000 from BetMGM Sportsbook to win the 2023 World Series.
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