2024 MLB Futures & Best Bets
The 2023 MLB season may have just ended days ago (congratulations to the Texas Rangers), but it’s almost time for pitchers and catchers to report to training camps, right?! I’m joking, but also not joking – players are expected to start showing up for 2024 training camps in sunny locales around February 12th.
Then, the Dodgers and the Padres are scheduled to kick off the games on February 22nd. So only three months to go. That means it’s not too early to get in on some 2024 MLB futures. The Rangers were +5000 to win the World Series heading into the 2023 season – let’s see if we can find a big-money winner for 2024.
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2024 MLB Futures & Best Bets
The Favorite
Atlanta Braves (+700 World Series, +330 National League)
For all their success in 2023, cruising to a league-best 104 wins, the Atlanta Braves flamed out in the National League Division Series to the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite this, they are the odds-on favorite currently to win the 2024 World Series. But you get a nice +700 number on them. And you’d have to think they will be extra motivated to get back to the top of the mountain after the less-than-ideal ending to their 2023 season.
Plus, the Braves’ pitching staff was ravaged by injuries last season, with former All-Stars Michael Soroka and Max Fried pitching sparingly throughout the season. With a bit more injury luck (and perhaps some additions to the pitching staff, including top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver) and the continued domination by their fearsome batting lineup, the Braves are worth a sprinkle at +700 and definitely worth a bet to win the National League at +330.
The Solid Play
Houston Astros (+900 World Series, +450 American League)
When are the Houston Astros not in the running to win the American League pennant and to win the World Series?! Just like their arch-rival New York Yankees used to be like, you can not count the Astros out ever. So, I’m not going to count them out for next season.
Their batting lineup is still formidable, with a nice mixture of young players and grizzled veterans who can still rake. And their starting rotation is young, outside of the ancient Justin Verlander, who isn’t really slowing down despite the wear on his tires. The Astros to win the 2024 World Series and to win the American League are solid plays.
The Long Shot
Arizona Diamondbacks (+3000 World Series, +1600 National League)
The Arizona Diamondbacks, after going 84-78 in the regular season, went on a Cinderella run to the World Series, beating 92, 100, and 90-win teams in the process. But was it a fluke, or could the D-backs be even better in 2024? I think at the odds we’re getting, it’s worth a gamble that they could make 2024 a repeat of 2023. Remember, their star player, Corbin Carroll, was a rookie this season, and he’s already among the best players in baseball, posting a 134 OPS+ over 187 big league games. At 23 years old, he isn’t even in his prime yet.
The same goes for fellow rookie Brandon Pfaadt, who had a rough regular season only to blossom under the bright lights of the playoffs. Plus, aces Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly will continue to anchor the rotation, and one of the best prospects in baseball, shortstop Jordan Lawlar, should get regular playing time next season. Arizona can make 2024 feel like 2023 all over again.
You can also get even more MLB futures by listening to the MLB Gambling Podcast. They’ve got daily episodes with MLB picks to make you the smartest guy (or gal) at the bar.
