MLB Futures & Odds for 2023: Winner, MVP, Cy Young, Win Totals & More

The 2023 MLB season begins Thursday, and bettors are clamoring for a chance to finally bet on some baseball. Still, you don’t have to wait until Thursday to get in on the action, as FanDuel Sportsbook released several MLB futures odds that baseball bettors can wager on related to the World Series, Pennant races, MVP, Cy Young and more.

FanDuel has officially released its slate of MLB futures odds, including markets for the World Series winner, pennant winners, division winners, teams to make the playoffs, win totals, player awards and a range of both player and team specials. This article breaks down the odds for most of the major MLB futures markets and lets you in on our best bet picks.

We’ll get into the FanDuel MLB futures odds below and explain how to qualify for the sportsbook’s $1,000 No Sweat First Bet promotion.

MLB FUTURES BEST BET: Tampa Bay Rays to Make the Playoffs (-140) at FanDuel Sportsbook

MLB Futures & Betting Odds for 2023: Back the Tampa Bay Rays

We think one of the most valuable MLB futures on FanDuel is for the Tampa Bay Rays to make the playoffs (-140 at FanDuel). The Rays have made the playoffs each of the past four seasons, boasting the league’s best record in both the truncated 2020 season and 2021.

While the AL East is one of the most difficult divisions in all of baseball, Tampa Bay has repeatedly made it work in recent history. The majority of last season’s Wild Card qualifying team will return for 2023 (including core team members Shane McClanahan, Randy Arozarena, Wander Franco, and Brandon Lowe), and Tampa Bay will lay claim to one of the youngest, most exciting rosters in baseball.

While Tyler Glasnow’s injury certainly puts a damper on what is expected to be one of the top pitching staffs in the MLB, the Rays are expecting him to return at some point this season. Beyond Glasnow, the Rays staff will feature Cy Young candidate Shane McClanahan, young studs Jeffery Springs (2.46 ERA in 25 2022 starts) and Drew Rasmussen (2.84 ERA in 28 starts), and off-season signing Zach Eflin.

The bullpen may be even stronger, with Pete Fairbanks (1.13 ERA), Jason Adam (1.56 ERA), Jalen Beeks (2.80 ERA), Ryan Thompson (3.80 ERA) and Colin Poche (3.99 ERA) all returning. Besides hosting one of the top pitching staffs in baseball, bettors can expect the Tampa Bay offense to be in the top half of the league as well.

The Rays’ lineup will be anchored by World Baseball Classic standout Randy Arozarena (.263, 20 HR, 32 SB) and Wander Franco (.282 career average), though the entire lineup is very young and could well take a large leap forward. In particular, Isaac Parades, Yandy Diaz, Harold Ramirez, Manuel Margot and a healthy Brandon Lowe will help fortify the Rays offense.

We know pitching wins championships. We also know the Rays' front office knows how to make the most of what they have and field a contender each year despite payroll concerns. While the Rays will need to contend with the Toronto Blue Jays, the star-studded New York Yankees, and the upstart Baltimore Orioles, we think the Rays have the strongest pitching staff in the AL East (and perhaps the AL in general).

This sets them up nicely for a fifth consecutive playoff appearance if the offense can show up at all, so our MLB futures best bet is for the Tampa Bay Rays to make the playoffs (-140 at FanDuel).

If you think the Rays will continue their playoff streak in 2023, create an account using this link. Once you make a $10 deposit and place a wager, you’ll qualify to earn up to $1,000 in bonus bets if your bet loses.

Odds & Predictions to win the American League Pennant

The American League looks to be highly contested in 2023, with several viable contenders and dark-horse candidates to win the pennant. Here are the 10 teams with the shortest AL pennant futures odds, per FanDuel:

• Houston Astros +280
• New York Yankees +370
• Toronto Blue Jays +600
• Tampa Bay Rays +900
• Seattle Mariners +1000
• Cleveland Guardians +1200
• Minnesota Twins +1600
• Chicago White Sox +1600
• Los Angeles Angels +1800
• Texas Rangers +2500

According to FanDuel, the Astros (+280) and the Yankees (+370) are by far the frontrunners to win the American League pennant in 2023. In 2022, the Astros cruised to a World Series victory after winning 106 games, appearing in their fourth World Series in the last six seasons. Our experts predict the Houston Astros (+280 at FanDuel) can return to the Fall Classic.

Most of Houston’s key offensive players are returning – including Kyle Tucker (.257, 30 HR, 25 SB), Yordan Alvarez (.306, 37 HR, 97 RBI) and Alex Bregman (.259, 23 HR, 93 RBI); however, an injury to star second baseman Jose Altuve in the World Baseball Classic throws a bit of a wrench into the lineup.

Still, the Astros are expected to be one of the league’s premier offenses, with a solid pitching staff to match. However, the loss of Justin Verlander and an injury to Lance McCullers means that the ‘Stros are one key injury away from a depleted pitching staff.

However, we see Framber Valdez, Christian Javier and Hunter Brown taking major strides and headlining a formidable pitching staff. While the Yankees may have bigger names – Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodon to name a few – we think the Astros have a better chance of holding it together due to their superior lineup and depth.

If you like the Astros to repeat as American League champions in 2023, register for a FanDuel account today. Once you make a $10 deposit and place a $10+ bet, you’ll qualify to earn your entire first bet back in bonus credits if it loses.

Odds & Predictions to win the National League Pennant

While the American League is fairly top-heavy with about four or five teams who could realistically win the pennant in 2023, the National League is just about wide open. Here are the 10 teams with the shortest odds to win the NL pennant this season according to FanDuel Sportsbook:

• Atlanta Braves +380
• Los Angeles Dodgers +380
• San Diego Padres +500
• New York Mets +500
• Philadelphia Phillies +750
• St. Louis Cardinals +1000
• Milwaukee Brewers +1500
• San Francisco Giants +2700
• Chicago Cubs +4000
• Miami Marlins +4000

On the National League side, there are five teams shorter than +1000 betting odds to win the pennant: the Braves, Dodgers, Padres, Mets and Phillies. Each of these teams features a loaded roster and has a strong possibility to be the best team in the NL; however, for our money, we like the Atlanta Braves (+380 at FanDuel) MLB futures odds as the pick for the National League.

Last season, the Braves won 101 games en route to an NL East championship before being defeated by the Phillies in the NLDS. We like the Braves to take the next step and clinch a pennant in 2023 for a few reasons: first, they may have the best lineup in all of baseball.

With MVP candidate Ronald Acuna Jr. finally healthy and a season under Michael Harris II’s (.297, 19 HR, 20 SB) belt, the Braves look like the most explosive lineup in the game on paper. Besides Acuna and Harris, the Braves will feature Matt Olson (34 HR, 103 RBI) at 1B, a healthy Ozzie Albies at 2B and Austin Riley (.273, 38 HR, 93 RBI) at 3B. Together, they have a strong chance to lead the league in runs scored.

Atlanta is no slouch on the pitching side, either. With a starting staff headlined by Max Fried (2.48 ERA in 185.1 IP) and Spencer Strider (2.67 ERA in 131 IP) and a bullpen led by Raisel Iglesias (17 SV in 2022) and A.J. Minter (2.06 ERA in 70 IP), there will be few teams as balanced as Atlanta is poised to be in 2023.

If you think the Braves are going to hold it together in 2023 and win the NL pennant, sign up for a new FanDuel account today. You’ll qualify for a No Sweat First worth up to $1,000 in bonus bet credits by making a deposit and placing a $10+ bet.

MLB World Series Futures odds at FanDuel

Baseball is a game characterized by chance, and over a season, anything can happen. Still, several teams are positioned as favorites to win the 2023 World Series according to FanDuel.

Here are the 15 teams with the shortest 2023 World Series futures odds, per FanDuel Sportsbook:

• Houston Astros +600
• Atlanta Braves +750
• Los Angeles Dodgers +750
• New York Yankees +850
• New York Mets +900
• San Diego Padres +1000
• Toronto Blue Jays +1200
• Philadelphia Phillies +1500
• Tampa Bay Rays +2000
• Seattle Mariners +2000
• St. Louis Cardinals +2000
• Cleveland Guardians +2500
• Minnesota Twins +3000
• Chicago White Sox +3500
• Milwaukee Brewers +3500

A $10 bet on Houston profits $60 if they win the World Series if they win for the second year in a row, while a $10 wager on a longshot, like the Milwaukee Brewers, returns $350 of winnings if they win their first-ever World Series.

If any of these MLB futures lines jump out at you, head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and activate a new account today. Once you make a $10+ deposit and place a bet, you’ll qualify to earn up to $1,000 in bonus bet credits if your first bet loses.

MLB MVP Race 2023: Odds, Favorites, and Predictions for who can win

In 2023, the MLB features a number of stars that will compete for the MVP award in each league. The leaders of FanDuel’s MLB futures odds for the NL MVP include these 10 players:

• Juan Soto, SD +550
• Mookie Betts, LAD +950
• Ronald Acuna Jr., ATL +1000
• Fernando Tatis Jr., SD +1000
• Trea Turner, PHI +1100
• Nolan Arenado, STL +1200
• Manny Machado, SD +1200
• Freddie Freeman, LAD +1400
• Paul Goldschmidt, STL +1400
• Austin Riley, ATL +1600

Of these players, we like Ronald Acuna Jr. (+1000 at FanDuel) to win the NL MVP. Acuna only played in 119 games last season and was limited while on the field due to injuries; however, if Spring Training and World Baseball Classic performance is any indicator, we may see Acuna return to form in 2023.

In Acuna’s last full season, he hit .280 with 41 HR, 127 R, 101 RBI, and 37 SB: a 40-40 season from a healthy Acuna is not outside the range of potential outcomes. No player in the MLB provides the combination of 40-HR power, 40-SB speed, and .280+ batting average that Acuna does, and his team situation in a World-Series hopeful Atlanta should boost his run and RBI totals.

The main question is of health: if you could guarantee 150 games out of Acuna, he would be the odds-on favorite for MVP. We think he stays healthy this year, providing somewhere in the ballpark of 30 HR, 35 SB, 200 R+RBI, and a .275+ batting average on a very good team, making Ronald Acuna Jr. (+1000 at FanDuel) a steal.

On the American League side, there are similarly talented MVP candidates. FanDuel currently lists the 10 following players as the most likely to win the AL MVP award:

• Shohei Ohtani, LAA +220
• Aaron Judge, NYY +700
• Mike Trout, LAA +800
• Julio Rodriguez, SEA +900
• Yordan Alvarez, HOU +1200
• Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. TOR +1300
• Jose Ramirez, CLE +1500
• Kyle Tucker, HOU +2500
• Rafael Devers, BOS +3000
• Adley Rutschman, BAL +3500

With these MLB futures odds in mind, we think Shohei Ohtani (+220 at FanDuel) to win the AL MVP is the most likely to cash. The game has not seen a player like Ohtani since Babe Ruth, and, barring an injury, Ohtani is probably the most likely player to win the MVP in either league.

His (+220) odds are short for a futures line, but Ohtani’s ability to provide elite contributions at the plate, on the mound, and on the basepaths is unique enough to warrant a wager. At the plate in 2022, Ohtani hit .273 with 34 HR, 90 R, 95 RBI, and 11 SB – but that’s only half the story.

With Ohtani, you get two players in one: an MVP-caliber hitter and a Cy Young-caliber pitcher. On the bump, he produced a 15-9 record in 166 IP with a 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 219 strikeouts. If he stays healthy, expect similar (if not better) numbers in 2023.

If you don’t like the short odds, we also like Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez (+1500 at FanDuel). Perhaps no player is more valuable to their team’s success than Ramirez, who does it all offensively and provides a solid glove at third. If Cleveland is a contender this year, it will largely be a product of Ramirez’s performance.

Last season, Ramirez hit .280 with 29 HR, 126 RBI, 90 R, and 20 SB – and that was a down year. Ramirez (barring injury) is a near-lock for a .270+ batting average, about 30 HR, about 200 R+RBI, and 20+ SB. If he puts together a line like that again in 2023, he will be in the MVP conversation.

If you like any of these MLB futures lines, click here to sign up for a new FanDuel account today. New users who sign up using a link from this article will qualify for FanDuel’s $1,000 No Sweat First Bet; no promo code is required.

Cy Young Race for the AL & NL: Odds, Favorites, and Predictions for who can win

On the pitching side, the Cy Young award is expected to be hotly contested this season. FanDuel currently lists these 10 players with the shortest American League Cy odds:

• Jacob DeGrom, TEX +550
• Gerrit Cole, NYY +700
• Dylan Cease, CWS +900
• Shohei Ohtani, LAA +1100
• Alek Manoah, TOR +1200
• Carlos Rodon, NYY +1400
• Kevin Gausman, TOR +1500
• Luis Castillo, SEA +1600
• Shane Bieber, CLE +1600
• Shane McClanahan, TB +1600

Of these players, we love Shane McClanahan (+1600 at FanDuel) to win the AL Cy Young award. Last season, McClanahan earned a sixth-place Cy Young voting finish on the back of a 2.54 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 194 strikeouts in just 166 IP.

Rays manager Kevin Cash – known for enforcing strict innings and pitch count limits on his pitchers – said earlier this Spring that he plans to give McClanahan a longer leash and higher innings count this season. If this works out to be true, McClanahan will easily eclipse the 200-strikeout mark, likely with a sub-2.50 ERA and a WHIP around 1.00 for a contending club. We think that makes McClanahan’s (+1600) betting odds a steal.

On the NL side, FanDuel lists the following 1- players as favorites to win the Cy Young award:

• Sandy Alcantara, MIA +500
• Corbin Burnes, MIL +550
• Justin Verlander, NYM +700
• Max Scherzer, NYM +800
• Spencer Strider, ATL +1000
• Zac Gallen, ARI +1100
• Max Fried, ATL +1200
• Aaron Nola, PHI +1300
• Zack Wheeler, PHI +1600
• Brandon Woodruff, MIL +2000

We like Brewers’ stud Corbin Burnes (+550 at FanDuel) MLB futures odds the most of these players. Over the past three seasons, Burnes has consistently been one of the MLB’s top starting pitchers. Last year was no different, with Burnes throwing 202 innings (surpassing 200 for the first time) with a 2.94 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a league-leading 243 strikeouts.

No pitcher has the immense strikeout potential of Burnes, and his new-found ability to throw 200+ innings should place him among the league leaders in the category. In 2020, he had an even better ERA (a league-leading 2.43), suggesting he should regress to the mean in that category. If he does, it will be hard to keep Burnes from earning the award.

MLB Projected Win Totals & Over/Under Market for 2023

FanDuel Sportsbook's current projected win totals for each club in 2023 are here:

• Arizona Diamondbacks - 75.5 (under -105, over -115)
• Atlanta Braves - 95.5 (under -105, over -115)
• Baltimore Orioles - 76.5 (under -102, over -122)
• Boston Red Sox - 78.5 (under -115, over -105)
• Chicago Cubs - 76.5 (under +104, over -128)
• Chicago White Sox - 83.5 (under -130, over +106)
• Cincinnati Reds - 65.5 (under -102, over -120)
• Cleveland Guardians - 86.5 (under +104, over -128)
• Colorado Rockies - 64.5 (under -105, over -115)
• Detroit Tigers - 69.5 (under -115, over -105)
• Houston Astros - 95.5 (under -112, over -108)
• Kansas City Royals - 68.5 (under -105, over -115)
• Los Angeles Angels - 82.5 (under -115, over -105)
• Los Angeles Dodgers - 96.5 (under -110, over -110)
• Miami Marlins - 75.5 (under +100, over -122)
• Milwaukee Brewers - 86.5 (under -134, over +110)
• Minnesota Twins - 84.5 (under -105, over -115)
• New York Mets - 93.5 (under -114, over -106)
• New York Yankees - 93.5 (under -104, over -118)
• Oakland Athletics - 59.5 (under -122, over +100)
• Philadelphia Phillies - 88.5 (under -118, over -104)
• Pittsburgh Pirates - 67.5 (under -109, over -115)
• San Diego Padres - 93.5 (under -115, over -105)
• San Francisco Giants - 81.5 (under -122, over +100)
• Seattle Mariners - 86.5 (under +110, over -134)
• St. Louis Cardinals - 88.5 (under -102, over -120)
• Tampa Bay Rays - 89.5 (under -110, over -110)
• Texas Rangers - 81.5 (under -115, over -105)
• Toronto Blue Jays - 91.5 (under -110, over -110)
• Washington Nationals - 58.5 (under -108, -112)

We discussed how our experts' best bet is for Tampa Bay to make the playoffs, so you could elect to back the over in their win total too. An $11 bet profits $10 if they win 90 games or more, while an $11 wager on the under returns $10 of winnings if they fail to win 90 games.

How to bet on MLB Futures With FanDuel and Earn up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets

New bettors will qualify for FanDuel No Sweat First by becoming a FanDuel member. All you need to do to qualify is register for a new account using a link from this article – no promo code is required.

Then, make a real-money deposit of at least $10 and wager on any sports market. If your bet wins, you’ll receive your winnings as usual. If you lose, you’ll get your entire wager back in bonus bet credits, up to $1,000. So whether you want to bet on MLB futures odds or another market entirely, make sure you do it at FanDuel Sportsbook.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.