MLB futures picks for the second half of the season

With the second half of the MLB season just around the corner, let’s take a look at a few futures bets that could be tempting.

Chicago White Sox to win the AL pennant

(+325, BetMGM)

Here is the crux of this issue – with Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert coming back, and a monster top end of the rotation, this seems like a choice between the juggernaut Astros offense and the White Sox. I don’t think that anyone wants to face this current iteration of the Sox – they can roll out a playoff rotation of Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn and Carlos Rodón. That’s terrifying – and combine that with a great bullpen, I am taking the team with the better odds.

Cincinnati Reds to win the NL pennant

(+2200, BetMGM)

Look, I get that the Reds are currently looking up at their opponents in the division. I am no dummy (well, maybe a little bit). And the Brewers, if they make it to the playoffs, have a monster rotation that’s tough to contend with. But, the Reds have arguably the best lineup in the NL Central, if not in the National League. And with Tyler Mahle emerging and Wade Miley discovering the fountain of youth, this is a solid squad. Can they make up 4 games in the Central?

Trea Turner to win NL MVP

(+5000, William Hill)

Remember when we were lambasting the Washington Nationals and how awful they were? Well, forget all of that – they’ve revved the engines and made up some major ground, heading in to the All-Star break trailing the Mets by only 6 games. We have all awaited Trea Turner to put everything together, and this is finally the season – the shortstop-turned-do-it-all man has had a monster year, recording a .318 batting average, 17 home runs (two off his career high), 19 steals and an .886 OPS. If the Nats have one more run in them, Turner is likely to be in the thick of things, and I love the odds here.

St. Louis Cardinals under 80.5 wins

(-110, DraftKings Sportsbook)

I am not sure I have seen a softer bet in my life – first of all, the Cardinals are horrible. Truly, horrible. Their ace is 1,984 years old. Carlos Martínez is likely out for the season. Jack Flaherty is shut down indefinitely. Johan Oviedo and John Gant cannot throw strikes. The offense cannot hit right-handed pitching whatsoever – seriously, your grandma, if right-handed, could shut them down. The team limped into the All-Star break at 44-46, so in their last 72 games, to hit 81 wins, this team will have to go 37-35. Are you kidding me?

Milwaukee Brewers over 88.5 wins

(-110, DraftKings Sportsbook)

Look, the Brewers are the inverse of the Cardinals – while there does seem to be some weird, bad juju surrounding this team, as they cannot hit all of the sudden, the rotation is loaded. And that will help given that they play in a really crappy division, with the Cubs looking like sellers. Oh, and the other catch? They play the Pirates and Cardinals a combined 26 times in the second half of the season. They need to play .500 baseball to hit this mark, and I think with that rotation, they do so easily.