Anyone smell that? It smells like the tides are beginning to turn in our favor. Warm weather, COVID vaccines, day drinking (does that really stop though?), beach trips and most importantly, baseball. We’re back in full force with a full, unadulterated 162-game schedule and man am I excited to be standing in the GA section of Nationals Park (and pending in-stadium sportsbook) with a tall boy Shock Top and a hefty Nats moneyline.

That being said, I’m back from my blogging hiatus to bring you my second annual set of futures. Last year, I went a pitiful 1-5 in the 60-game schedule while missing the Reds and Royals by half a game each which would’ve saw me break even. Isn’t gambling fun?

I’m back with some 162-game totals and here’s to hoping that brings us some more luck. All odds are via PointsBet

Los Angeles Dodgers o103.5 wins

We’ll start with the 2020 World Series champs. This team was on pace last year to win 116 games in a 162 game season which is just an unreal clip, and oh yeah, they got better. Adding 2020 NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer to a rotation that already features Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, and two of either David Price, Dustin May, Julio Urias or Tony Gonsolin is downright scary. The lineup still features some of the highest-level guys in the league (Betts, Bellinger, Seager, Turner) and former blue-chip prospects that are poised to make the next step like catcher Will Smith and second baseman Gavin Lux. It’s very easy to see this team getting well into the triple digits in wins.

San Diego Padres o94.5 wins

Next we have the team that is gonna be the Dodgers’ biggest thorn throughout this year and for the foreseeable future. The Padres front office really went after it in the offseason and traded for proven studs on the mound in Blake Snell, Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish. Pairing those three with returning young arms Chris Paddack and (currently injured) Dinelson Lamet gives the Friars a great pitching corps. The lineup is solid from top to bottom, highlighted by the newly rich face of baseball Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and 2020 rookie utility sensation Jake Cronenworth. Slam Diego is in win-now mode and I cant wait to watch them and the Dodgers battle it out. An otherwise weak division has me hammering the over here.

Kansas City Royals o72.5 wins

This is where we start to get a little off the beaten path. Two years removed from being the fourth-worst team in the league, things are starting to look up in KC. Last year the Royals had a 162-game pace of 70 wins and I expect them to get better. Sal Perez just got PAID and the returning core of Merrifield, Dozier, Mondesi and Soler is solid. Offseason additions of Andrew Benintendi, Carlos Santana and Nats legend Michael A. Taylor are very interesting and are a few steps in the right direction. The pitching staff on the other hand sketches me out. New face Mike Minor is coming off a rough season in Texas but if he can bounce back and young guys Brad Keller and Brady Singer can take the next step they could be hovering around .500 in no-time.

New York Mets u90.5 wins

This pick may be unpopular, but it’s one I’m rolling with. On paper, the Mets are bound to be really sick this year with the additions of Francisco Lindor, James McCann and Carlos Carrasco to already go along with Alonso, Conforto, McNeil, deGrom, Stroman and Syndergaard anchoring the roster. The NL East is going to be absolutely stacked with talent as every team made at least one splash in free agency/the trade market and the division was already really good. 91 games is a lot to win, and as always, the Mets are gonna Met in one way or another so lets go with the under here. Bonus pick: deGrom to win NL Cy Young at +300. Reasoning: duh?

Colorado Rockies u63.5 wins

Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon have officially been given the keys to the Rockies and this is a car that may be driving down the wrong side of the road. Departures of superstar Nolan Arenado and top-of-the-lineup guy David Dahl have left Colorado in a serious hole. German Marquez, Kyle Freeland and Jon Gray will lead a rotation that leaves much to be desired. Sam Hilliard and top prospect Brendan Rogers fill the holes left in the lineup and with the heavyweight battle that’s gonna be going on at the top of the division, I expect the Rockies to get lost in the mix early and to stay down there for the rest of the way. Don’t be surprised to see some of these bigger name guys being shopped around the deadline.

Baltimore Orioles u63.5 wins

Similar situation as Colorado here but subtract the All-Stars. After over-performing in the shortened season last year, expect the O’s to take a real step back down to reality this year. The Yankees and Rays both are top-tier teams in the league and Toronto made some big splashes so the AL East is gonna be as stout as usual. Trey Mancini returns to the field this year after kicking the shit out of colon cancer and hopes to get back to his 2019 form where he slashed .291/.364/.535 with 35 homers and 97 RBIs. Him and Anthony Santander seem to be the only real bright spots on a roster that doesn’t have much to offer. This lineup goes along with a rotation that bolsters three guys I’ve never even heard of to follow John Means and King Felix. Take the under here and run with it.

Let’s have a great time this season everyone. Baseball is all the way back and I cannot wait!

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