The 2025 MLB season is upon us. Those meaningless spring training games are nearly done and true Opening Day is on the horizon. So, it's time to lock in a best bet for every MLB team this season.
Mitch Bannon handled our AL best bets while Ethan Diamandas took on the NL picks:
Best Bets For Every MLB Team: AL East
Baltimore Orioles: +310 To Win AL East at Sportsbook
This is the classic post-hype pick. Everyone is down on the O’s after they ‘only’ won 91 games last year and lost Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes in the offseason. But, this is still a great team with the best young lineup in baseball. I’m confident guys like Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday have the upside to bring this team back to division contention.
Toronto Blue Jays: +210 To Make Playoffs at Sportsbook
The Blue Jays flopped hard last year, but they’ve still made the playoffs two of the last three seasons. With Vlad and Bo in the last year of their deals, this is a team desperate to make a push. Adds like Anthony Santander and Jeff Hoffman can help them get back to October in a mediocre AL.
Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan, AL Comeback Player, +600 at Sportsbook
McClanahan is already set to start 2025 on the IL after missing all last year, but I still believe in the comeback. If he can make even 20 starts (like he did in 2023), McClanahan can earn Cy Young votes, pitch to his career 3.02 ERA, and earn this honor as best rebound player of 2025.
Boston Red Sox: Kristian Campbell, AL Rookie of the Year, +650 at Sportsbook
With Campbell cracking the Red Sox Opening Day roster (and set to play a regular role at second base), the Boston youngster is the clear Rookie of the Year favorite for me. Across three minors levels last year, Campbell hit 20 homers, stole 24 bases, and posted an absurd 180 wRC+. He’s got insane upside and is an easy pick for me at these odds.
New York Yankees: +6000 To Score 1+ Run In Every Game Before AS Break at Sportsbook
The Yankees were shut out eight times last year, so this is a bit of a longshot. But, I believe in New York’s deep lineup with Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and a full season of Jazz Chisholm in the fold. The issues with this team are mainly in the rotation now, so betting against shutouts isn’t a bad proposition.
Best Bets For Every MLB Team: AL Central
Kansas City Royals: OVER 82.5 Wins, -122 at Sportsbook
The Royals won 86 games last year and return basically the exact same team for 2025, with the Brady Singer for Jonathan India swap sitting as the only major move. They've got a deep rotation and the best shortstop in baseball. This is a better than .500 team, for sure.
Minnesota Twins: UNDER 83.5 Wins, -104 at Sportsbook
I’m just not convinced the Twins are trying to win. This is a team that won 82 games last year, barely missed the playoffs, and did basically nothing to improve the roster in the winter. Unless there’s a radical switch in approach from the organization, I’ll be fading.
Chicago White Sox: OVER 54.5 Wins, -106 at Sportsbook
I know the Sox won just 41 games last year, but they CAN’T be that bad again. Only seven teams in the last 15 years have lost over 110 games (52 wins). You need to read an exceptional level of suck to go UNDER 54.5 wins. The White Sox may get close to that status, but Chicago actually has some young talent like Miguel Vargas that can raise the floor this year.
Cleveland Guardians: Gavin Williams AL Cy Young, +6000 at Sportsbook
This is a sleeper pick, I won't deny. But, there's some obvious upside in a guy like Williams. For starters, he posted a 3.67 FIP that came in well below his 4.86 ERA last year. But, his prospect track record is also sublime, rocking a 2.39 ERA in the minors during 2023 to earn his first promotion. In year three at the top level, things could really start to click for Williams.
Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene AL MVP, +6000 at Sportsbook
Greene has everything I look for in a rising MVP candidate. He's a legit five-tool player, his OPS has risen in each of the last three years, and he's shown the capability to put up a massive WAR season with 5.4 last year. If the 24-year-old takes another jump in 2025 he's one of the best players in baseball.
Best Bets For Every MLB Team: AL West
Houston Astros: Framber Valdez AL Cy Young, +2000 at Sportsbook
The Astros' ace has gotten Cy Young votes in each of the last three years, and would've come higher than seventh if he didn't miss a few outings last season. The lefty's ability to log innings, strike out batters, and suppress hard contact makes him a Cy threat every single season.
Texas Rangers: +1900 to win World Series At Sportsbook
I’m buying up all the Rangers WS stock this year. This lineup might be even better than the one that lifted them to the title back in 2023, with Joc Pederson, Jake Burger, and development from Evan Carter and Wyatt Langord. The pitching is obviously a question mark, but the title upside is clearly there with Nathan Eovaldi, Kumar Rocker, and Jacob deGrom.
Seattle Mariners: Cal Raleigh OVER 29.5 HR, -130 at Sportsbook
Big Dumper has hit over 30 homers in each of the last two years and averaged 30.3 in the last three seasons. He's easily the best power-hitting backstop in baseball and I don't expect that to change any time soon.
Los Angeles Angels: -1800 To Miss Playoffs At Sportsbook
This is a hilarious bet, I admit it. But, it’s free money at -1800. There is no chance a team that rosters Tim Anderson and Kyle Hendricks is making it to the playoffs this year. The Angels' upside is like 75 wins, at best.
The Athletics: Brent Rooker MLB HR Leader, +1800 at Sportsbook
Rooker hit 30 homers back in 2023 and took another step last year, blasting 39 in just 145 games. If he plays the whole season, the Athletics DH is set for a huge homer total. But, I think there's even more upside to be found with the A's playing in a minor-league park in Sacramento, where the ball is sure to fly.
Best Bets For Every MLB Team: NL East
Atlanta Braves: UNDER 93.5 Wins (-110) At Sportsbook
This is the easiest UNDER in the world. As I said, the Braves won just 89 games last season and now face stiffer NL competition. The Phillies didn't make any massive moves this winter, but the Mets are much better. Atlanta had a good stretch of 100-win seasons in 2022 and 2023, but I believe those days are over.
Spencer Strider's return is a big boost, but Ronald Acuna Jr. isn't fully healthy to start the year. It's also fair to question how healthy Chris Sale stays for a full year at age 36.
Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara OVER 170.5 Strikeouts (+100) At Sportsbook
I'm a champion of the Marlins right-hander who missed all of last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. While Alcantara wasn't quite himself in 2023 (4.14 ERA, 151 Ks), he appears locked in for 2025. He hit 100 mph on the gun in his spring debut and has tossed 12.1 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts in Cactus League play. He's the man.
New York Mets: To Win NL East (+180) at Sportsbook
The Mets are a solid value pick to win the World Series, but a better bet is for them to take the NL East at +180. To do so, they need to outpace the Braves (+135) and Phillies (+190), who both lost key pieces this offseason, including Max Fried and Charlie Morton for Atlanta and bullpen depth for Philadelphia.
With Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber aging, this could be the year the Phillies take a step back and the Mets take over.
Philadelphia Phillies: Bryce Harper OVER 27.5 Home Runs (-115) At Sportsbook
This is an accurate total, as it accounts for injury risk and Harper's age, but I think "The Showman" gets it done. His power numbers declined in 2022 and 2023, though he suffered a torn UCL between those seasons, greatly limiting his swing. While Harper's 2024 season wasn't eye-popping, he still managed 30 homers in 145 games, which makes me believe he will eclipse the 30-mark in '25.
Washington Nationals: UNDER 71.5 Wins (-110) At Sportsbook
Last season, I recommended the OVER 64.5 wins, and Washington delivered, turning in its second consecutive 71-win season. Now, I'm projecting the Nats take a step back.
This just isn't a deep enough team. I'm not sure CJ Abrams is the truth, and a rotation of Mackenzie Gore, Trevor Williams, DJ Herz, Mitch Parker, and spare parts just won't cut it in a tough NL East.
Best Bets For Every MLB Team: NL Central
Chicago Cubs: OVER 86.5 Wins (-110) At Sportsbook
Given the strength of competition within their division (and in the NL as a whole), the Cubs should go OVER 86.5 wins. Heck, Chicago's roster wasn't great last season and the club still won 83 games. Manager Craig Counsell will have another year to scheme things up and grow the clubhouse culture, plus Tucker could have a massive breakout year.
Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene to win NL Cy Young (+2500) At Sportsbook
Greene has all the tools to make a Cy Young run in 2025, coming off a strong 2024 where he posted a 2.75 ERA, 169 strikeouts in 150.1 innings, and a 1.02 WHIP. At just 25, he’s gaining the experience to complement his elite velocity, making him a nightmare for hitters. With Cy Young odds at +2500, he’s a sneaky-good bet if he stays healthy and keeps refining his command.
Milwaukee Brewers: oVER 82.5 Wins (-115) At Sportsbook
The Brewers won't be as strong as they were in 2024 after losing Willy Adames and Devin Williams, plus dealing with pitching injury issues, but they always find a way to overperform. Even with a slightly weaker roster, they’ve made the playoffs in six of the last seven years and consistently beat expectations. In a soft NL Central, they should have no trouble clearing 82.5 wins.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Skenes to win NL Cy Young (+250) at Sportsbook
I'm not touching Skenes to win MVP, but he's a natural favorite for the NL Cy Young. In his rookie season last year, he dazzled with 133 innings pitched, 170 strikeouts, and a 1.96 ERA, earning NL Rookie of the Year honors and starting the All-Star Game. While the Pirates may manage his workload, his talent makes him the clear favorite for the 2025 NL Cy Young, and I’ll place a unit or two on him at the current odds, which fairly weighs his upside against the injury/workload risk.
St. Louis Cardinals: UNDER 76.5 wins (-110) At Sportsbook
The Cardinals look like a solid bet to win fewer than 76.5 games in 2025, as they have shifted their focus to rebuilding rather than competing. Rumors about trading Nolan Arenado highlight the club's priority of stockpiling young talent, and they have already moved on from some key veterans. Combine that with an offense that struggled in 2024, finishing near the bottom in runs scored and hitting with runners in scoring position, and it is clear they are not built to contend right now.
Best Bets For Every MLB Team: NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers: OVER 103.5 Wins (-110) At Sportsbook
I recommend playing the OVER because I’m confident that by the end of the regular season, I’ll look back on this bet and wonder why I didn’t double or triple my stake. There's a notion that the Dodgers could win north of 110, even 120 games with their superteam. I'd call it unlikely (+200 maybe), but pick'em odds at 104 wins seems fine by me.
San Diego Padres: Fernando Tatis Jr. to win NL MVP (+850) At Sportsbook
I'm all in on the Tatis comeback hype. He plays with swag and sizzle, plus, as Mitch Bannon points out in his Padres season preview, Tatis' 162-game average for his career is a 143 OPS+, 40 homers, and 29 stolen bases.
He must stay healthy to win this award. And with five seasons under his belt, Tatis should know how to keep his body right. You can do a lot worse at +850 than Tatis for MVP.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Corbin Burnes OVER 173.5 Strikeouts (-110) At Sportsbook
I can capitalize on this total. While Burnes has some crazy miles on him (an average of 197 innings over the last three seasons), he is just 30 years old and pitches with a strong, heavy frame to keep him cooking into October. Leaving Camden Yards may hurt his ERA, but Burnes has exceeded 173.5 strikeouts in four consecutive seasons.
Colorado Rockies: UNDER 59.5 Wins (-105) At Sportsbook
This seems impossible. I’ve racked my brain with reasons for the Rockies to finish OVER 59.5 wins. Nothing doing. Colorado was awful last year and finished with 61 wins, the third-lowest tally in franchise history. Now, Colorado kicked off the season by trading Nolan Jones, one of its better young hitters.
San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb to win NL Cy Young (+2500) At Sportsbook
Logan Webb is a dark horse for the 2025 NL Cy Young with odds at +2500, and he’s the Giants’ best shot at any major award. He led the league in innings pitched in 2023 and 2024, with elite command shown by his 1.3 walks per nine innings in 2023. If the Giants overachieve, Webb’s consistency and durability make him a real contender.
