With opening day coming at the end of the month anticipation is growing for the 2018 MLB season. Two time defending National League East champion Washington is a big favorite with Baseball Odds Today. Opening at -440 the Nationals are an overwhelming choice for a threepeat. Public money is reaching with the New York Mets as a +400-upset pick. Seems more likely the Mets are a reach after losing 92 games last season. Longer shots are Philadelphia, Atlanta and Miami. Apparently, Washington is the big chalk with plenty of reason for 2018.
2018 NL East Futures
Date and Time: Opening Day is March 29, 2018
Location: Check Schedule
2018 MLB Betting Odds at SBG: Click here!
2018 MLB TV Coverage: Check Listings
What the Future Holds
NL East Handicappers wanting to avoid the obvious have little to choose from.
Of the longshots Philadelphia opened at +900. Yet the Phillies brought up the East Division rear in 2017. Young and improving Atlanta makes for an interesting +2200 choice. Hopeless Miami at +10,000 is a waste.
Washington
Key departures from the roster were avoided by Washington this winter. Equally important was the re-singing of reliever Brandon Kintzler. Perhaps no other move was more vital for maintaining success. Whatever worries the Nationals do have is based on bullpen depth. Overall few teams in baseball can match Washington’s balance. Combining strong run production with good pitching makes the Nats a complete team. Baseball odds today value is going to be the ultimate factor for gamblers. Despite winning 97 games last year the Nationals were barely in the black.
Miami
Derek Jeter was celebrated as the savior of the Miami Marlins. As a freshman executive he decided to gut the roster of high priced talent. Building a deep farm system was the long-term vision for Miami. Among the expensive talent sent packing were Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna. But Marlins fans have already been through multiple rebuilds. Time and again their teams get gutted for a supposed remake. Jeter is now facing a full blast of heat. Rebellion is in the air. Ticket sales have plummeted. Misery is perpetual for the Marlins franchise.
Atlanta
Atlanta boasts one of the top farm systems in baseball. Pitching is likely to be an online sportsbook asset. Time is the only question for the Braves. Relief pitching is the biggest of many problems for the New York Mets. Slashing payroll has also been a priority for them. Contention is a pipe dream for Mets. Unrealistic expectations plague them annually. Philadelphia is a team on the rise with a promising lineup and steady pitching. Rebuilding intelligently the Phillies have plenty of future. Arrival time is the only question for them.
Matchup to Watch
Sometimes the obvious choice is the right choice. Because the Washington Nationals lack a true challenger they default to the top. Probably the Atlanta Braves look to be the most intriguing alternative. Say what you want but the Braves have a blueprint. While the rebuild has been slow it has also been coherent. Hype is the permanent companion of the New York Mets. History shows the Mets are more often sizzle than steak. Quietly emerging as a potentially profitable baseball odds today dog are the Phillies.
MLB Betting Odds Picks
While Atlanta and Philadelphia are improving they’re not quite ready for a pennant. At the end of the day 2018 belongs to the Washington Nationals.
MLB Betting Online Pick: Washington Nationals