Think Warm: Phillies Odds and Player Futures Bring Hints of Spring

Parts of Pennsylvania have been covered in snow, making it a cold winter for the Commonwealth. The chill isn’t just limited to the outdoors.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ relationship with their franchise quarterback soured, leading to a separation. Joel Embiid is in the midst of an MVP-worthy season, though he has had to take time off to ice his achy back. The Flyers’ season was put on hold for 11 days due to a COVID outbreak.

Let’s focus on positive thoughts. Spring Training and the beginning of the 2021 MLB season bring feelings of warmth and sunshine.

Here is a comprehensive list of current MLB betting options available for wagering on.

MLB 2021 schedule

Schedule for the season:

• February 28th marks the start of exhibition games.
• April 1st: Beginning of the season
• The All-Star Game will be held in Atlanta on July 13th.
• October 3rd marks the conclusion of the regular season.
• October 26th: Game 1 of the World Series

Spectrum Field is allowing 2,200 fans per game for Phillies Spring Training, but there has been no announcement regarding plans for fans at Citizens Bank Park.

MLB 2021 betting preview at PA sportsbooks

Pennsylvania online sportsbooks are currently offering betting markets for the 2021 MLB season. This includes the top three favorites as well as the odds for the Phillies. For complete odds, please refer to the app.

The Phillies are projected to win either over or under 80.5 games this season.

2021 World Series odds (via DraftKings)

The top picks:

• The Los Angeles Dodgers are listed at +350 odds.
• The New York Yankees have odds of +550.
• The San Diego Padres have odds of +800.

The odds of the Philadelphia Phillies winning the 2021 World Series are:

• The Philadelphia Phillies have odds of +4000.

National League winner

The top choices:

• The Los Angeles Dodgers have odds of +175.
• San Diego Padres are at a +390 odds.
• The Atlanta Braves have odds of +500.

The odds of the Philadelphia Phillies winning the National League pennant are:

• The Philadelphia Phillies have odds of +2000.

National League East 2021 odds

• The Atlanta Braves are +120.
• The New York Mets are listed at +140.
• The Washington Nationals have odds of +600.
• The Philadelphia Phillies have odds of +875.
• The Miami Marlins are listed at +2500 odds.

MLB 2021 player betting markets

National League MVP

The top choices:

• Mookie Betts has odds of +750.
• Juan Soto has odds of +750.
• Cody Bellinger is listed at +800 odds.

The Philadelphia Phillies:

• Bryce Harper’s odds are set at +1500.
• J.T. Realmuto has odds of +3000.
• Rhys Hoskins has odds of +4000.
• Alex Bohm’s odds are +5000.

NL CY Young odds

The top picks:

• Jacob deGrom is listed at +500 odds.
• Trevor Bauer is listed at +700.
• Max Scherzer’s odds are +850.

The Philadelphia Phillies:

• Aaron Nola is listed at odds of +1200.
• Zach Wheeler’s odds are set at +3300.

Home Run Leader

The top choices:

• Pete Alonso’s odds are +1000.
• Mike Trout has odds of +1000.
• Joey Gallo’s odds are +1100.

The Philadelphia Phillies:

• Bryce Harper has odds of +2000.
• Rhys Hoskins has odds of +4000.

Strikeout leader

The top choices:

• Gerrit Cole has odds of +450.
• Jacob deGrom is listed at +525.
• Shane Bieber is listed at +650.

The Philadelphia Phillies:

• Aaron Nola is listed at +2000.
• Zach Wheeler’s odds are +6000.

RBI Leader

The most preferred options:

• Juan Soto’s odds are +800.
• Cody Bellinger has odds of +1000.
• Ozuna’s odds are +1200.

The Philadelphia Phillies:

• Bryce Harper is listed at +1500.
• J.T. Realmuto has odds of +4000.

Runs leader

The top picks:

• Mookie Betts is listed at +800 odds.
• Ronald Acuna, Jr. has odds of +900.
• Juan Soto has a plus 1000 rating.

The Phillies team:

• Bryce Harper has odds of +1800.

Wins leader

The top picks:

• Cole’s odds are set at +1200.
• Jacob deGrom’s odds are set at +1200.
• Trevor Bauer has odds of +1300.

The Philadelphia Phillies:

• Aaron Nola has odds of +1800.
• Zach Wheeler’s odds are +5000.

Early betting splits for the 2021 MLB futures

The initial betting percentages for MLB 2021 futures markets on DraftKings have been released.

2021 World Series betting percentages from all states where betting is legal.

• Twenty-one percent of the team is made up of players from the Chicago White Sox.
• The New York Mets account for 18% of the total.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers have a 14% chance.
• New York Yankees account for 13%
• The San Diego Padres account for 13%.

Pennsylvania’s 2021 World Series betting handle percentages.

• The San Diego Padres account for 22% of the total.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers are 18.
• The New York Mets account for 16% of the total.
• 9 percent of the New York Yankees
• Milwaukee Brewers make up 7%.

The percentage of bets placed on National League games as compared to the overall betting handle.

• Twenty-seven percent: New York Mets
• The Los Angeles Dodgers account for 26% of the total.
• Twenty-two percent of the San Diego Padres
• The St. Louis Cardinals account for 11% of the total.
• Atlanta Braves account for 5%
• The Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, and Chicago Cubs each have a 2% chance.

The percentages of bets placed on the National League East by handle.

• 66% of the time, the New York Mets
• The Atlanta Braves make up 19% of the total.
• Philadelphia Phillies have a win rate of 9%.
• Five percent belongs to the Washington Nationals.

Distribution of bets on NL MVP by percentage of total handle

• Juan Soto accounts for 20%.
• Fernando Tatis, Jr. accounts for 18% of the total.
• Ronald Acuna accounts for 11%.
• 10 percent: Nolan Arenado
• Mookie Betts is batting .070
• Bryce Harper accounts for 6% of the total.

“Giant” underdogs and no-value favorites

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who are the defending World Series champions, initially opened at +450 to repeat their title at William Hill online sportsbook. They have since dropped to +200.

Nick Bogdanovich, the Director of Trading at William Hill, provided his thoughts on the matter, stating:

It is uncommon for a baseball team to start the season with such a low ranking. In baseball, fortunes can change quickly with just one injury or bad streak. The Dodgers have a strong team, but the Padres also have a lot of talent. Betting on the Dodgers at +200 doesn’t offer much value, so it may be better to wait until the playoffs if you believe they will win again. This way, you can avoid any major setbacks during the regular season and still get similar odds.

The NL West is currently leading in bets for the 2021 World Series winner, with the Dodgers receiving the most money at 21% and the Padres coming in second at 15%. In terms of the total number of tickets, both Los Angeles and San Diego have each secured 10%, the highest among all teams.

At the beginning stages, the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals are the teams receiving the largest World Series futures bets at William Hill.

A bettor from New Jersey wagered $5,000 on the Mets (25/1) for a possible payout of $130,000, while an Iowa bettor placed the same amount on the Cardinals (25/1) for a potential payout of $130,000 as well. The Mets have received the third-highest amount of total bets at 13%.

One dark horse team has caught the attention of bettors at William Hill. The San Francisco Giants, listed at (200/1) odds, have garnered 4% of the total number of tickets and 2% of the total dollars wagered.

Photo credit: AP/Nick Wass