MLB Futures: Blue Jays collapse reignites race to win AL East
Oh, how the tables have turned. The AL’s division leaders for much of the season have fallen.
Seattle completed a stunning sweep of the Astros in Houston to take control of the AL West last weekend, while Cleveland stormed past Detroit in the AL Central on the strength of an 18-5 September.
In the AL East, Toronto’s late-season collapse (six losses in seven) has opened the door for the Yankees, who have won six of seven to draw level atop the division.
With just four games remaining, the AL East and Central races are in chaos.
Over in the National League, the Dodgers are holding off the Padres by 2.5 games, while Milwaukee and Philadelphia have already clinched divisions.
The Cubs have the inside track on the top Wild Card, but the real drama is the last spot, where the Mets, Reds, and Diamondbacks remain tangled entering the final weekend.
Don’t forget to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of MLB game odds, MLB futures and MLB specials and props.
How did the MLB odds change this week?
The AL East market has flipped completely. A week ago, Toronto was -3300 to win the division. Today, they’re essentially back in a coin flip with the Yankees, who have shortened all the way to -115 after surging. Boston, meanwhile, lurks just three games back with long-shot pricing but remains mathematically alive.
The AL West saw the most dramatic move. Seattle was hovering near even money last week but has now clinched the division. In the AL Central, Detroit’s 20-game cushion has disintegrated, and Cleveland has seized control. The Guardians are -700 favourites to close it out, while the Tigers are +450 and fading fast.
World Series odds remain relatively stable at the top. The Phillies and Dodgers continue to lead the market, but Seattle and New York have seen upticks thanks to their late-season charges.
Best MLB futures bet to lock in right now: New York Yankees to Win the AL East (-115)
Toronto’s collapse, combined with New York’s consistency, has swung this market wide open. The Yankees have not only matched the Jays at the top of the division but also have the easier finishing schedule with another date against the lowly White Sox before finishing up with the last-place Baltimore Orioles at home.
Meanwhile, Toronto has to deal with another game against the surging Boston team, desperate for a Wild Card spot, and then finish up with a nagging Rays team that just beat the Blue Jays twice in a row last week. Given the form, health, and remaining schedule, the Yankees should be shorter than -115, making this the best AL division bet on the board.
MLB futures prediction: Reds to Make the Playoffs (+230)
The final NL Wild Card spot has become a war of attrition. The Mets are limping to the finish line with hardly any starting pitching and face a tricky series in Miami after one more game in Chicago. Arizona still has to play one more game against the Dodgers before finishing with the Padres, who are fighting for their own positioning.
That leaves the Reds, who might have the weakest lineup of the group but boast the best pitching. With Milwaukee already clinched and unlikely to push their rotation this weekend, Cincinnati has a path to steal the No. 6 seed if they can avoid a sweep at home today against the Pirates.
