The MLB All-Star break is the perfect time to revisit the futures board. While the Dodgers remain deserved favorites, there isn't much value left at their current price.
Instead, we're looking for teams and players whose odds still leave room for significant profit if things break right over the second half. These are the futures that offer the best value entering the stretch run.
MLB World Series Picks & Best Bets Post All-Star Game
Chicago Cubs National League Winner (+1200)
Five games behind Milwaukee at the All-Star break isn't an alarming or unfamiliar place to be for the Chicago Cubs. If anything, this feels like a club that is built to be dangerous in October.
Chicago has been one of baseball's most volatile teams, becoming the first club since the 2017 Dodgers to post two separate 10-game winning streaks and a 10-game losing streak in the same season. That inconsistency has prevented them from taking control of the NL Central, but it also highlights the incredibly high ceiling this roster possesses. The offense is deep, balanced and clutch.
Pete Crow-Armstrong regained his status as one of baseball's premier players after a miserable first two months. On May 31, he was hitting just .237 with a .713 OPS. Entering the break, he's slashing .292 with 21 home runs, a .917 OPS and trails only Shohei Ohtani in fWAR at 6.0.
Unlike last season, when Crow-Armstrong faded badly in the second half, the Cubs simply need him to maintain something close to this level.
Around him is one of baseball's deepest lineups. Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson bring championship experience, Michael Busch, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki provide legitimate pop, Nico Hoerner remains one of the game's best contact hitters and defenders, while Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly give Chicago solid production behind the plate.
The numbers support what the eye test suggests. Chicago ranks fourth in MLB with a .779 home OPS, second against left-handed pitching (.782 OPS), ninth in OPS during late-and-close situations and fifth in OPS from the seventh inning onward.
The biggest concern is clearly the pitching staff. A 4.33 team ERA ranks just 21st in baseball, while Cade Horton's season-ending injury leaves another hole in the rotation. Edward Cabrera hasn't pitched to expectations after arriving from Miami, but Justin Steele is expected back later this season, Matthew Boyd has already returned from injury, and it would be a shock if the Cubs aren't among the most aggressive buyers before the trade deadline.
If they add another frontline starter, this roster has all the ingredients to knock off anyone in the National League.
New York Yankees World Series Champions (+550)
This might finally be the Yankees' year.
Yes, they're dealing with injuries. Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have all spent significant time sidelined, but that's exactly why their price appeals.
If New York gets healthy entering October, they'll have one of the deepest rosters in baseball.
Cam Schlittler has emerged as the American League Cy Young favourite, while Fried, Rodón, Ryan Weathers and Will Warren give the Yankees enviable rotation depth. Their bullpen remains among baseball's best, and the lineup has discovered new stars while waiting for its superstars to return.
Ben Rice has exploded into one of baseball's elite power bats, entering the break with 29 home runs, 68 RBIs and a .971 OPS. Cody Bellinger and Jazz Chisholm Jr. can change a game with both their bats and athleticism, Trent Grisham continues to provide power, Jose Caballero creates havoc on the bases and Paul Goldschmidt still punishes left-handed pitching.
The Yankees aren't even leading the AL East, but their +91 run differential dwarfs the rest of the American League. The next closest team sits more than 50 runs behind.
More importantly, the AL feels wide open and there simply isn't another complete roster capable of matching a healthy Yankees club in a seven-game series.
Munetaka Murakami American League Rookie of the Year (+700)
Munetaka Murakami missed 35 games with a hamstring injury, which is precisely why his odds remain this attractive. Despite the missed time, the White Sox slugger already has 20 home runs and a .911 OPS through just 60 games.
Project those numbers over a full season, and we're talking about one of the most impactful rookie campaigns in recent memory. If Murakami reaches 35 home runs while helping lead the White Sox to an AL Central title, it's difficult to imagine voters overlooking that resume.
Current favorite Kevin McGonigle has been outstanding for Detroit, hitting .283 with eight home runs and an .812 OPS, but Murakami's offensive ceiling is simply different.
He has also become one of the biggest reasons behind Chicago's remarkable turnaround. The White Sox have gone from rebuilding afterthought to legitimate division contender.
If Murakami stays healthy for the second half, +700 could look like one of the best futures prices available all season.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the MLB on site
MLB World Series odds
Los Angeles Dodgers | +170 |
New York Yankees | +550 |
Milwaukee Brewers | +1000 |
Atlanta Braves | +1100 |
Seattle Mariners | +1200 |
Philadelphia Phillies | +1200 |
Tampa Bay Rays | +1800 |
Chicago Cubs | +2200 |
Texas Rangers | +2200 |
Cleveland Guardians | +3000 |
Read the latest MLB news on site
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
