The 2023 MLB trade deadline has passed, and several blockbuster deals were made. With just
under two months to play, here are my favorite future bets worth locking in now.
Houston Astros to win American League (+340)
The Astros have made six straight ALCS appearances, and the defending world champs are
again the team to beat in the AL. They are first in the West despite dealing with injuries to
Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve, who are both healthy now. Framber Valdez has been having a
Cy Young-caliber season, and the roster was upgraded at the deadline, with the most
noteworthy deal being the addition of Justin Verlander at the deadline. The Astros are poised to
make another deep playoff run.
Baltimore Orioles to win AL East (-105)
The Orioles have the best record in the American League and are poised to win their first
division title since 1997. They have been the most profitable MLB team for sports bettors to
back this season, and they have the weakest remaining strength of schedule amongst their
division foes. With an MLB-best 20-10 record in one-run games and MLB-best 23 division
victories, the Orioles are the clear favorites to win the AL East, and the price tag isn’t bad at all.
Detroit Tigers (+3,500)
This is a long shot, but the Tigers are worth a $10 bet with a potential $360 payout. The Tigers
are not in win-now mode, but they are in a division that no one else seems interested in winning.
The Guardians went into sell mode at the trade deadline, and the Twins did not make significant
roster upgrades. In a shocking event, Detroit’s ace Eduardo Rodriguez exercised his no-trade
clause to block a deal that would have sent him to the Dodgers, making the Tigers one of the
short-term deadline winners, even without trying to be. The Tigers have a combined 8-5 record
against the Guardians and Twins this season, and with 13 combined games remaining against
those foes, another 8-5 run could be all it takes to put the Tigers in striking distance.
Gerrit Cole to win AL Cy Young (-140)
Cole is the clear favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award and should be an even larger favorite.
Not only does he play in New York, but he has a 5.0 WAR, which is +1.4 better than any other
pitcher in the AL. His 2.64 ERA is second in MLB among all starting pitchers.
Blake Snell to win NL Cy Young (+300)
Snell’s 8-8 record does not look impressive, but his 3.3 WAR led NL pitchers as of August 3.
Snell was sensational in July, posting a 4-1 record and 0.56 ERA with zero home runs allowed
in 32 innings over six starts. Snell now leads MLB starters with a 2.50 ERA. As disappointing as
the Padres’ season has been, they cannot be counted out yet, sitting less than five games out of
a wild-card spot. At 3 to 1 odds, Blake Snell is worth a flyer.
