Betting on Spring Training

We are at that time of the year where MLB teams go into spring training with grand plans that are altered once the season starts. Pitchers and catchers have begun to report to spring training camps all around the league and although it seems almost inconceivable, the 2017 MLB season is right around the corner.

Injuries and poor performances change things. The sudden emergence of a rookie or veteran player alters the makeup of a team. There are also late free-agent signings and usually one or two trades that change the shapes of opening-day rosters.

With just over a month until first pitch, books have begun to release odds for the upcoming campaign and some already have OVER/UNDER win totals for each team. Here there are some of the things that should be considered for sports bettors as they will likely impact the results of the season.

The Chicago Cubs’ plan for their outfield as they head into spring training is clear. Manager Joe Maddon’s starters are supposed to be Kyle Schwarber in left, Jason Heyward in right and a platoon of Albert Almora and Jon Jay in center. He’s also planning on using Ben Zobrist as his Opening Day second baseman while again slotting Javier Baez into a super-utility role. Get all the latest Betting and Sport News updates on your social media outlets. Find us on both Facebook and Google+!

Odds on The Cubs to win the World Series: +425

The Dodgers’ initial long-term plan for Bellinger looked solid: He would spend the next two years in the minor leagues and be ready to take over first base full-time at the end of the 2018 season, when Adrian Gonzalez becomes a free agent. However, that was before Bellinger upset those plans with his rapid progress at the plate. Bellinger, 21, has quickly developed into the best first-base prospect in the game with the potential to provide a .350 OBP, 30 home runs and 100 RBIs while being a Gold Glove-quality defender as well. Here is where it gets tricky. To be conservative, the right move would be for Bellinger to start the year in Triple-A and be ready in case Gonzalez gets hurt in the middle of the season or once rosters expand in September.

Odds on The Dodgers to win the World Series: +900

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow has had several conversations with White Sox GM Rick Hahn about acquiring Quintana to bolster Houston’s rotation. However, Hahn’s asking price has ended most of those conversations with more dial tones than follow-up proposals. However, sometimes when a GM tries to trade for a player he finds out in time that he actually has as good an option or better in his own house. For the Astros that could be rookie Francis Martes. The White Sox have asked for Martes in a Quintana package and so far the Astros have declined, for good reason. Martes, 21, has three above-average pitches. Martes will pitch at 94-97 mph and touch 100 or more with his four-seam fastball, and he’s able to command the fastball on both sides of the plate.

Books will only learn more about these teams as rosters get narrowed down so if you know something about your favorite club that you think your sportsbook doesn’t, now may be the best time to strike betting on the spring training, sign up now at HeritageSports.eu