MLB Picks & Predictions

The 2024 MLB season is set to be full of action with record new signings and some key transfers. We've got all the information to help you make the most informed betting decisions this 2024 MLB season. Don't forget to check out our match picks for match-specific betting guides! Below is all you need to know before casting your first wager this season.

2024 MLB Season Picks and Betting Tips

With its deep history and marathon regular season, MLB has tens of millions of fans across the US. America’s Pastime might have changed since the days of Babe Ruth, but its fans are still as passionate, and the game’s biggest stars are lucratively rewarded for their skills.

Bettors have a lot to choose from when it comes to betting on MLB – futures markets have become a fundamental part of baseball discourse.

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

MLB Picks: Who Will Win the 2024 World Series?

The Los Angeles Dodgers have firmly positioned themselves as the team to beat in the 2024 World Series race, following their high-profile acquisitions of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto during the offseason. With a history of dominating the National League West, capturing the title in 10 of the previous 11 seasons, the Dodgers' roster brims with All-Star talent, signaling their readiness to extend their success into the new season. Their aggressive moves in the market underscore a clear intent to enhance their already formidable lineup, making them the betting favorites and a formidable force in the quest for the championship.

On the heels of a spectacular 104-win season in 2023, the Atlanta Braves have emerged as the second favorite in the preseason World Series odds. The Braves, known for their strategic prowess and consistency, have successfully retained their core players, setting the stage for another deep playoff run. This continuity, combined with their proven track record, places Atlanta in a strong position to challenge the Dodgers' supremacy. With both teams boasting depth, talent, and a winning culture, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown in the 2024 MLB season, as they vie for the ultimate prize in baseball.

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

2024 Pennant Race: Who are the top teams this season?

As the 2024 MLB season approaches, the competition appears particularly fierce in the American League, presenting a more open field compared to the National League's top-heavy dynamics dominated by the Braves and Dodgers. Betting odds reflect this competitive balance, with teams like the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays all listed at +1400 or shorter odds at Bet365, indicating a tight race for supremacy. This cluster of teams not only underscores the depth of talent in the American League but also highlights the unpredictable nature of the upcoming season.

While the Braves and Dodgers stand out as the National League's powerhouses, the American League's strength lies in its collective competitiveness. Following closely behind the leading pack are teams such as the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, and Minnesota Twins, each capable of making a significant impact and further intensifying the race. This depth ensures that the American League will be a battleground throughout the season, with numerous teams vying for playoff positions and ultimately challenging for the World Series title. The 2024 MLB season promises to be an exciting showcase of talent and competition, particularly in the American League, where the championship race remains wide open.

Odds provided by DraftKings

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings

2024 MLB pick: Odds on the Favorites for the World Series

Heading into the MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves are the National League's top picks, with the Houston Astros and New York Yankees leading the American League's charge towards the World Series. These teams, distinguished by their stellar rosters and recent performances, are at the forefront of championship contention. Below, are the odds showcasing their paths to potential glory, setting the stage for an exhilarating race to the crown:

• LA Dodgers +350
• ATL Braves +450
• HOU Astros +800
• NY Yankees +1000
• BAL Orioles +1200
• TEX Rangers +1400
• PHI Phillies +1500
• TOR Blue Jays +2000
• SEA Mariners +2000
• MIN Twins +2000
• CHI Cubs +2500
• ARI Diamondbacks +3500
• TB Rays +3500
• STL Cardinals +3500
• CIN Reds +4500
• NY Mets +4500
• BOS Red Sox +5000
• SF Giants +5500
• DET Tigers +6000
• SD Padres +6000
• CLE Guardians +7000
• MIA Marlins +7000
• MIL Brewers +9000
• KC Royals +13000

Odds provided by DraftKings

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings

American League Picks: Who will be champs?

In the American League, the spotlight intensifies on the Houston Astros as they continue their pursuit of another championship title. Following a season marked by consistent excellence, they remain a top favorite across sportsbooks to clinch the pennant.

Significant roster shifts have been the talk of the league, particularly with teams like the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. Under the guidance of manager Aaron Boone, the Yankees have fortified their lineup with stars like Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge, establishing themselves as a formidable force.

The Toronto Blue Jays, boasting talents like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, have also made headlines, setting the stage for a thrilling competition. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers, with their aggressive offseason moves, aim to disrupt the league's hierarchy.

The Tampa Bay Rays, known for their strategic prowess and player development, continue to be dark horse contenders, challenging the league's elites. However, the spotlight also turns to teams like the Baltimore Orioles, who, despite promising talents, face the uphill battle of translating potential into consistent wins. As the season progresses, the American League promises a compelling narrative of powerhouse teams and emerging dark horses vying for supremacy.

Odds for the ALCS winners:

• HOU Astros +400
• NY Yankees +475
• BAL Orioles +550
• TEX Rangers +650
• SEA Mariners +900
• MIN Twins +900
• TOR Blue Jays +950
• TB Rays +1600
• BOS Red Sox +2200
• DET Tigers +2500
• CLE Guardians +2800
• KC Royals +7000
• LA Angels +8000
• CHI White Sox +12000
• OAK Athletics +20000

Odds provided by DraftKings

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings

National League Picks: Who will be the champs?

In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves emerge as the clear frontrunners, distinguished by their powerhouse lineups and consistent performances. These teams have set themselves apart as the ones to beat, with a blend of star power and depth.

The Philadelphia Phillies are also in the spotlight as serious contenders, equipped with a roster that combines seasoned veterans with promising young talents. Their potential to shake up the league's dynamics cannot be underestimated. The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are among those in the hunt, each team showcasing a determination to climb the ranks. With a strategic mix of emerging stars and experienced leaders, both clubs are eyeing postseason success.

Rounding out the challengers, the Arizona Diamondbacks position themselves as the dark horses. With a young, talented core, they possess the potential to surprise and outperform expectations.

Odds for the NLCS winners:

• LA Dodgers +170
• ATL Braves +255
• PHI Phillies +800
• CHI Cubs +1400
• STL Cardinals +1600
• ARI DIamondbacks +1800
• NY Mets +2500
• CIN Reds +2500
• SF Giants +2800
• SD Padres +2800
• MIA Marlins +3500
• MIL Brewers +4000
• PIT Pirates +7000
• WAS Nationals +9000
• COL Rockies +20000

Odds provided by DraftKings

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings

What pick for 2024 AL MVP in Major League Baseball

Aaron Judge is the preseason betting favorite for the 2024 American League MVP after Shohei Ohtani swapped the AL for the National League. Judge won MVP in 2022 when he hit 62 homers, but injuries kept him to just 106 games in 2023.

Judge’s new outfield teammate Juan Soto is the second favorite. Soto has the 23rd-best career OPS+ in MLB history and has received MVP votes in four separate seasons, including a runner-up placing in 2021.

2024 American League MVP Odds:

• Aaron Judge +550
• Juan Soto +600
• Yordan Alvarez +800
• Corey Seager +1000
• Julio Rodriguez +1100
• Adley Rutschman +1300
• Gunnar Henderson +1500

Odds provided by DraftKings

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings

What pick for 2024 NL MVP in Major League Baseball

Ronald Acuna Jr. is the favorite to win the 2024 National League MVP just ahead of Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, who are tied for second. A third Dodger, Freddie Freeman, is fourth at the time of writing. All four players have previously won MVP, as has Bryce Harper who is just above Fernando Tatis and Matt Olson at +1000.

Acuna is aiming to become the first National League player to win consecutive MVP awards since Albert Pujols in 2008 and 2009.

2024 National League MVP Odds:

• Ronald Acuna Jr. +550
• Mookie Betts +650
• Shohei Ohtani +650
• Fernando Tatis Jr. +1000
• Bryce Harper +1000
• Freddie Freeman +1200
• Matt Olson +1400

Odds provided by DraftKings

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings

MLB Rookie of the Year pick: Who will take the AL and NL best newcomer award in 2024?

As the 2024 MLB season approaches, the anticipation for Rookie of the Year candidates in both the American and National Leagues is building. Prospects to watch in the American League include Jackson Holliday, Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, and Nolan Schanuel. Each player enters the season with high expectations: Holliday for his advanced hitting mechanics, Carter for his athleticism and versatility, Langford for his power potential, and Schanuel for his promising preseason performance.

In the National League, the spotlight is on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jung Hoo Lee, Noelvi Marte, and Jackson Chourio. Yamamoto, with his highly regarded pitching talent, is expected to make an immediate impact. Lee's batting prowess, Marte's balanced skill set, and Chourio's potential to excel quickly have them pegged as key players to watch.

While the first pitch of the season has yet to be thrown, these rookies are already generating buzz, setting the stage for a captivating race for Rookie of the Year honors. Their development and performance throughout the season will be closely watched, as each hopes to make a significant impact in their inaugural MLB campaign.

Odds for the 2024 Rookie of the Year award:

American League

• Jackson Holliday +250
• Evan Carter +300
• Wyatt Langford +600
• Nolan Schanuel +750

National League

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto +200
• Jung Hoo Lee +450
• Noelvi Marte +800
• Jackson Chourio +800

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

How to bet on MLB?

The extensive 162-game MLB season offers sports bettors ample opportunities to find value in virtually every matchup. Unlike sports with potential tie outcomes, MLB ensures a winner in every game through extra innings, streamlining the betting process and making it more accessible for newcomers.

Sportsbooks adapt to this no-tie scenario by adjusting betting options accordingly. With baseball games often seeing scores that range significantly, one of the most favored bets in MLB is the total runs scored. Bettors can wager on the over/under, predicting whether the combined score will be above or below a certain number.

Run lines are baseball's answer to the point spread, providing a handicap that either advantages or disadvantages a team based on their performance expectations. For example, if the Yankees are favored with a -1.5 run line against the Red Sox, they must win by at least 2 runs for a bet on them to pay out.

Additionally, sportsbooks offer a plethora of prop bets, ranging from the total number of hits, runs, and errors in a game, to more specific outcomes like individual player performances. In-game betting options also include which team will score first or the number of strikeouts a pitcher will throw, offering dynamic and engaging ways for fans to participate in each game's unfolding story.

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

MLB Betting Tips for Beginner Bettors

Below, we have compiled five pieces of advice to bear in mind when making your MLB picks. Stick to these and you will enhance your chances of hitting a home run with your MLB wagers.

• Compare starting pitching matchups
• Consider form of both teams
• Analyse detailed statistics
• Situational spots and team news
• Compare odds across bookmakers

Let’s take a look at each point in more detail:

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

Tip 1: Compare starting MLB pitching matchup

Even with starters pitching fewer innings and many teams utilizing openers, the starting pitching matchup is still a major factor when making your MLB betting decisions. The quality of the two starting pitchers will go a long way to determining which team is favored.

A dominant starter can pitch six-plus innings, and will occasionally hand straight over to the closer. If they’re pounding the zone and racking up the strikeouts, the other team is going to struggle to generate much offense.

Sites like Baseball Reference and Baseball Savant are packed with starting pitcher statistics. You can see how a pitcher has fared against a particular opponent, and look into their last few outings. Savant’s advanced metrics are especially useful for those who want a bit more depth than looking at a starter’s season-long ERA.

Tip 2: Consider form of both MLB teams

Just as in other sports, it’s important to look at the recent performances from both teams. Previous successes don’t guarantee a team will be victorious in the game you’re wagering on, but it’s something to consider when analyzing the betting markets.

Form isn’t everything when making your picks. It should be part of your pre-bet process, though.

Baseball is notorious for hot streaks and massive slumps both for players and whole teams. If a player has been scorching hot at the plate lately, that’s something you need to know. If a team have been slumping on the road, that might put you off backing them even as favorites.

Tip 3: Analyse detailed statistics

Baseball is renowned for its love of statistics. Numbers are a fundamental part of baseball conversation, and they are a huge component for bettors, fans and teams.

Fortunately, the vast majority of baseball statistics are publicly available. Most are accessible free of charge, too. The use of analytics has changed the direction of travel in baseball, so it’s paramount that you use them to your advantage.

Think of the statistics that could help find a value betting angle. If a team is facing a hard-throwing starting pitcher, you could look at how they have fared against high-velocity arms. Alternatively, if a team is excellent at drawing walks, it’s worth looking at the command of the opposing starter.

There are so many ways to analyze betting with the help of advanced statistics. You can look into park factors, quality of contact, defense and so much more. Familiarize yourself with the big statistics sites to make sure you are armed with all the resources you need.

Tip 4: Situational spots and team news

Baseball’s schedule is unique, partly because it’s so demanding. Rest days are infrequent for teams during the 162-game regular season. On occasion, they will be forced to play doubleheaders. Long road trips can take their toll on teams.

Look into how teams have got on when they have a rest advantage. See what their recent schedule has been like – could fatigue be a deciding factor? Is it a travel day? Did they just fly across the country?

The MLB season really is a marathon. The schedule is arduous, providing another factor for bettors to consider throughout the campaign. Once the Playoffs come around, the use of pitchers (particularly aces and star relievers) is something to keep an eye on, as starters can end up pitching on short rest.

Like any sport, it’s worth keeping up to date with team news. You want to know if a key hitter is having a day off or if the closer is returning from the injured list. You must study this point before all baseball picks you make

Tip 5: Compare odds across bookmakers

You should always compare odds across different sportsbooks before committing to your bet(s). This can be the difference between making a profit and losing money. Odds comparison sites make this easy for you – you always want the best possible odds, and the minor hassle of comparing prices is definitely worth it in the long term.

It makes sense to register at multiple sportsbooks with funds in your account so you can quickly place your wager(s) wherever the prices are best. You will also then be able to benefit from multiple sign-up offers and other promotions.

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

What Not to Do for Your MLB Picks

Just as we have outlined some things you should do when making MLB picks, there are also things you should avoid doing if you want to be a profitable baseball bettor.

Avoid making these mistakes:

• Chasing losses (betting more units than usual to try and make up for lost wagers)
• Failing to manage your bankroll (have a fixed unit amount)
• Placing bets without comparing odds
• Betting on a team or player based on reputation rather than conducting research
• Only judging the performance of a team on their results rather than more predictive metrics
• Failing to understand betting odds and the implied probability of the market you are wagering on
• Blindly backing your favorite team/player
• Betting on a market without understanding recent betting trends

Both rookie and seasoned bettors have fallen into a few of these errors. Mistakes are going to happen in baseball betting, but if you steer clear of the slipups listed above, you will significantly increase your chances of earning a profit.

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

MLB Picks: Statistics You Need to Know

We have put together a list of some of the most interesting MLB statistics that you need to consider before placing your bets:

• The Cincinnati Reds covered the run line more than any other team during the 2023 season.
• The Houston Astros went 34-53 on the run line at home in 2023.
• There was an average of 9.24 runs scored per game in the 2023 season.
• Since 2020, the Atlanta Braves have hit the over more frequently than any other team (53% of all games).
• The Oakland Athletics (3.61) scored the fewest runs per game in 2023.
• Over the last two seasons, the Cleveland Guardians have landed the under more often than any other team (54.6% of all games).
• The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers were tied for the league record in interleague play last season – they both went 30-16 straight up.
• The league average FIP was 4.33 in 2023.
• San Francisco Giants pitchers generated the most groundballs in the Majors (48.7%).
• The Los Angeles Angels have covered the run line the last often of any team over the last five seasons.

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

Conclusion: How to get Your MLB Picks Right Today?

When settling on your MLB picks, make sure you have followed all the advice throughout this article. You want to consider pitching matchups, betting trends and compare odds before committing to your wagers. Research statistics both traditional and advanced.

If you’re short on time or just want to be pointed in the right direction, head over to our MLB page to learn more about our MLB tips.

Place your MLB bets at FanDuel

Our current MLB picks

There are no previews at the moment for this competition

MLB: Best Odds

Odds are not yet available for this competition.