U.S. Mobile Bookmakers Scrambling to Stay Atop MLB Futures Odds

With the MLB labor dispute now settled and in the past, all MLB teams are scrambling to get ready for a full 162-game season that starts on April 7, 2022. That’s one week later than the original starting date of March 31, 2022. Even with the late start, the league has adjusted the schedule so as to make sure baseball fans and sports bettors will get a full season of action.

At the point baseball activities were put on hold three months ago, there were still a number of really big names remaining on the free-agent list. That list still includes top stars like Freddie Freeman, Trevor Story, Carlos Correa, and Kris Bryant. These are all players that could easily change the fortunes of the teams where they land.

With 3 ½ weeks until the MLB season start, mobile sports betting operators are also scrambling to keep their futures odds boards up-to-date. There are financial exposure issues at work here given the amount of baseball activity that could still take place between now and when the regular season starts. It’s kind of like shooting in the dark while not knowing where the bullets will land.

As a case in point, Caesars Sportsbook is currently offering World Series Champ odds as follows (top 10 teams only):

Los Angeles Dodgers +600
Houston Astros +900
New York Yankees +1100
New York Mets +1100
Chicago White Sox +1100
Toronto Bluejays +1200
Atlanta Braves +1300
Tampa Bay Rays +1400
San Diego Padres +1500
Milwaukee Brewers +1600

Should any of these teams land Freddie Freeman or perhaps Carlos Correa, it could shake things up in a hurry. It would be incumbent on bookmakers to get their lines adjusted immediately to shut down any wagering exposure issues. Remember: sports betting sharpies have access to information just as fast as bookmakers. They are always looking for an opportunity to benefit from bookmaker mistakes.

Of course, adjusting these lines is really a lot more complicated because dominos will fall. The shakeup in odds will not only affect the teams getting these players, but it will also cause the odds to rise on teams that didn’t land these players after being mentioned as possible suitors. Here is what WynnBET senior lead trader Matt Lindeman had to say on this issue:

“The most challenging thing might not be bumping teams who sign a star, but remembering to drop the squads who were in contention but ultimately miss out on their targets.”

New League Rules for Sports Bettors to Consider

Out of MLB’s new collective bargain agreement, new rules were set that could have an effect on sports betting. The biggest rule change is the establishment of the “Designated Hitter” in the National League. That rule could go into effect by the start of the regular season.

The implementation of the designated hitter will likely increase run production in the NL (high totals posted per game) and could adversely affect the ERAs of pitchers vying for the CY Young Award. Next year, the outlawing of certain defensive shifts could also impact sports bettors.

Before placing futures odds bets, bettors should invest some time understanding the new rules and wait for the free-agent market to shake out a bit.