The 2017 MLB betting season took on a completely different look following the annual trade deadline than it previously had. Some of the trades, new acquisitions and other movements also had a direct impact on the existing MLB World Series odds and the divisional lines for several teams that recently improved their chances of making it to the post season.
Now, a handful of sleeper teams look like they could be poised to overtake their favored rivals to steal the division title. Thanks to this expert MLB betting look at the handful of teams that fall into that ‘could steal’ category, you’re going to have a great idea where you place some potential sleeper betting bucks that could cash in big.
MLB Betting Sleepers That Could Steal Their Division Title
AL East
The race for the AL east has been up and down all season. The Red Sox are still -140 favorites to win the AL East, but the New York Yankees are close enough to spoil their postseason plans. The Yankees are at a valuable +125, closed the gap considerably by acquiring gifted starter Sonny Gray from Oakland as well as veteran Jamie Garcia. Not to mention a pair of earlier trades that brought them relievers David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle. Right now, the Yankees are (57-50) and just three games behind Boston (60-49). That makes me believe that the AFC East division race will come down to the very wire, making the Yankees a great sleeper pick.
AL East Division Champion Odds:Baltimore Orioles: +6600Boston: -140NY Yankees: +125Tampa Bay Rays: +1000Toronto Blue Jays: +6600
AL Central
The Cleveland Indians (58-48) may have won the AL Central division crown last season and they’re favored to do so again as a -400 pick this year. However, I’m really high on the second place Kansas City Royals (56-51), especially how they’re just 2.5 game behind the reigning division champs. As a +300 pick, the Royals are ranked a modest 13th in team ERA (4.19) and an uninspiring 23rd in scoring (4.3 rpg). Still, Kansas City just seems to be hanging around and that leads me to believe they could somehow, someway, overtake the Indians even if it does take a series of unfortunate events for the Tribe.
AL Central Division Champion Odds:Chicago White Sox: +15000Cleveland Indians: -400Detroit Tigers: +5000Kansas City Royals: +300Minnesota Twins: +1200
NL Central
The reigning World Series champion Chicago Chicago Cubs (57-50) have heated up nicely in recent weeks. The Cubs had a super disappointing season start. But their recent resurgence make the Cubs look really solid right now as a -450 pick to win the NL Central. However, I’m here to say that the Brewers aren’t just a cute surprise team anymore. They are offering bettors a great value as a +600 pick to steal the division title. The Brewers rank a stellar fourth in home runs this season (159) and respectable 15th in scoring (4.6 rpg). They are also ranking ninth in team ERA (4.15) and 11th in strikeouts. More importantly, the Brewers now have some really solid young talent on the brink of breaking out and could pull off the sleeper upset!
NL Central Division Champion Odds:Chicago Cubs: -450Cincinnati Reds: +20000Milwaukee Brewers: +600Pittsburgh Pirates: +1000St. Louis Cardinals: +1000
