By Hilly
Yes we are finally here baseball fans!
The 2022 Season is going ahead despite the delay. With 162 games in the season and a new 12 team post season format.
What a post season we had last year with a few sneaky YTP bets going off like a Cody Bellinger homerun. With the season starting on April 7 we thought we’d give our thoughts of each division, who we think will win and if there is any value!
AL CENTRAL
The Chicago White Sox are the team to beat, currently in the betting at $1.42. They made the play offs last season and should be ready for a good season.
Their defence last year was excellent and with some off season aggressive buying should have them in good stead this season. The Minnesota Twins who are currently $6 should improve this year on the back of gun signing of Carlos Correa.
Offensively the Twins can improve even threaten, however their pitching is what lets them down.
AL EAST
What a division with the likes of Toronto Blue Jays ($2.75), New York Yankees ($3.25), Tampa Bay Rays ($3.50) all tussling for division honours.
The Blue Jays could be the most improved this season with some nice buys to replace what they have lost. They are good all around the ball park and have had a good spring training going into this season. However, at the odds we like the Yankees to take out the division.
After making the play off last season we only can see them improve. If they get their bat to do the talking they may be a big threat come the post season. For the Rays watch out for Wander Franco for MVP. Loss of Pitcher Collin McHugh will be felt.
AL WEST
Looking to make the play offs for the sixth consecutive year, the Houston Astros ($1.65) are looking nicely placed. The loss of Carlos Correa will be felt but they have talent all over the park. They played poorly in the World Series Final last season and will be hungry to turn that around.
The LA Angels ($4.25) can be a smokey with improvement with better rotation of the bullpen.
NL CENTRAL
What a season they had last year the Milwaukee Brewers ($1.55) taking them to a post season play off, only to undo all the good work. Their pitching is their game winner. If they can get their bat working, who knows what the post season can bring.
NL EAST
The NL East brings the 2021 World Series winners to the plate. Atlanta Braves ($2.10) were devastating last season. However they have lost two of their best in Freddie Freeman and Joc Pederson who starred for them last year. But they have gain in the bullpen with Collin McHugh and Kenley Jansen. No team has gone back to back since the Yankees three-peat in 1998 – 2000. However, we believe the New York Mets ($3) are threats to take the division away from the Braves. The franchise spent well over the winter with none other then pitcher Max Scherzer. They have talent and could be th ebig improvers.
NL WEST
The battle of the west, who saw the San Francisco Giants ($6) being last season division winners over the LA Dodgers ($1.42), with Dodgers going one better in the post season.
The Giants have had some key losses on the roster and experience goes with that. Can they repeat their feats of 107 wins last season. They did gain Joc Pederson which is a good buy. We will know in the first month what side they are going to be this season. The Dodgers have lost Scherzer, Seager and Jansen which is big, but they have hitters they have made them the number one run scorer in the league. They have talent everywhere and are hard to go past. We all wish the San Diego Padres ($4) could show something this season. With Tatis Jnr out for the start Machado needs to show his worth and step up. Their season will be made in the first month.
Prices are NSW TAB (Australia)
Multi bet on the following Division winners
Chicago White Sox – $1.42
New York Yankees – $3.25
Houston Astros – $1.65
Milwaukee Brewers – $1.55
New York Mets – $3
LA Dodgers – $1.42
Total – $50.28
Good Luck and Good Punting.
Hilly