For the 2021 MLB preseason, The Game Day has compiled 2021 Futures Bets, Prop Bets & Award Picks. Here are 5 MLB Futures Bets for bettors to make now where I see an edge in the current odds.
All odds provided by PointsBet.
5 Best MLB Futures Bets To Make Now For The 2021 Season
2021 National League Cy Young
- Walker Buehler, Dodgers (+1000)
There are three Dodgers pitchers with odds of 20-to-1 or less. They are newly signed and reigning NL Cy Young award winner Trevor Bauer (+700), Walker Buehler (+1000), and three-time NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw (+2000). I think there’s only one bet worth making here. That wager is on Buehler, the man that is quietly the ace of the defending World Series champions.
Just look at what Buehler has done in his two full seasons in the bigs. In 2018, he started 24 games, had an 8-5 record, a 2.62 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP and 151 Ks in 137.1 innings. Then in 2019, he went 14-4 despite a dip in his ERA (3.26) and WHIP (1.04).
If Buehler’s win-loss record catches up to his non-counting stats, then there’s a big advantage in taking the Dodgers’ ace at 10-to-1.
2021 National League MVP
- Mookie Betts, Dodgers (+800)
- Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (+800)
- Corey Seager, Dodgers (+1500)
While we’re on the topic of the Dodgers, that team has three players that are all good bets to win the NL MVP award. Truth is, I’m writing off the abbreviated 2020 season.
Playing 60 games is very different from playing 162. The Dodgers have the 2019 NL MVP in Cody Bellinger and the 2018 AL MVP in Mookie Betts, both at +800. But it’s the 15-to-1 odds on the team’s All-Star shortstop that I see an edge. Corey Seager not only won the 2020 NLCS and World Series MVP, but also has 20-plus homers, a .295 batting average and at least 70 RBI and 85 runs scored in every season he’s reached 500 at-bats.
Look for Seager to match his career bests in 2021. If the Dodgers’ shortstop does so — 26 homers, 105 runs scored and 87 RBI along with his career .295 batting average, then these +1500 odds are well worth placing a wager on.
5 Best MLB Futures Bets To Make Now For The 2021 Season: DJ LeMahieu should be a hit machine again in 2021. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
2021 MLB Most Regular Season Hits
- DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (+1200)
Now, moving on to the American League. DJ LeMahieu will lead the Majors in hits in 2021. I know that’s a big statement, but 12-to-1 odds are too good to pass up here.
LeMahieu won the AL batting title last season, with a .364 average and was only seven hits off the MLB lead in hits. He became the first player in the modern era to win a batting title in both leagues after doing so while with the Colorado Rockies in 2016.
Trea Turner had the most regular season hits in 2020 with 78 hits in 59 games while LeMahieu had 71 in 50. If DJ had played a few more games, he would undoubtedly had led the Majors in hits. In 2019, LeMahieu also fell just short with 197 hits to Whit Merrifield‘s MLB-best 206.
I’m taking LeMahieu to top at least 200 hits and for him to lead the Majors in hits in 2021.
Most AL Regular Season Home Runs
- Aaron Judge, Yankees (+2000)
- Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees (+2000)
Sorry for sticking to the Bronx Bombers, but there are two players here with 20-to-1 odds that have each led their league in homers previously. Giancarlo Stanton led the Majors with 59 in 2017 and the NL with 39 in 2014. Aaron Judge led the AL with 52 in 2017, and in his career, he has hit a home run in every 12.75 at-bats. Stanton’s at-bats per home run slightly worse (13.88), but health remains the issue with both of these Yankees outfielders.
While Luke Voit led the Majors in home runs (22) during the 60-game 2020 season, I’ll take Judge or Stanton to do so in 2021.
Make your 2021 MLB Prop Bets at one of our partner sportsbooks.
