Best MLB Future Bets: Winner Predictions For Each American League Division, Best Bets, and Sleepers

I ate six hotdogs in the last three days–that’s how you know baseball is back. When the hotdogs start sizzlin’, when the beers start bubblin’, and when the dingers start to fly, that’s how you really know–baseball is back. Baseball has only been back for a few days, but I can already tell: this is going to be the best season ever. Why? Well, this is the first year for many baseball fans that they can actually bet on the games they are watching. No more having to travel to the stadium in order to spend your money on $20 beers and $10 hotdogs. Now, thanks to online sports betting, you can spend your money from the comfort of your own home–and you can maybe even MAKE money in the process. No ballpark hotdog is going to MAKE you money in return (but if you find one that does please contact me ASAP).

But that’s what sports betting is all about, right? Making money is the goal–and that is what this story is here for. Here, I’ll give my best bets and predictions for who will win each American League Division, using the future odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook. If you are unsure as to which sportsbooks are available in your state, you can check out our comprehensive list of the best online sportsbooks.

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Anyway, without further to do, let's get down to business and check out my best MLB Future division bets for the 2022 season.

AL East

The AL East is set out to be the most competitive division in baseball–and after just the opening weekend, it’s apparent why. The Yankees continue to be the home run factory they’ve always been, cranking out ding dongs faster than the Hostess factory. However, they may have some competition vying for the title of home run king, as the Blue Jays have already hit seven home runs in their first three games of the season. And, taking a look at this Jays lineup, it’s easy to see why the Yankees are shaking in their boots. The Jays have seven spots in their lineup that could have 20+ home runs by the end of the season, and at least four guys that could eclipse 30. The proverbial question mark after their pitching staff remains intact, but it doesn’t matter if your pitchers give up 10 runs a game if you’re lineup is producing 11.

Believe it or not, though, the East is home to more than just the Yankees and the Blue Jays–the Rays and Redsox both pose a threat to the East crown this season as well. The Rays continue to be one of the more confusing teams in the MLB, seemingly always winning despite an on-paper lackluster team. Their pitching, however, seems to be the source of all their power–surrounding the youngsters Shane McLanahan and Luis Patino with some veterans (Corey Kluber and Ryan Yarborough) will make this Rays pitching staff a topic of conversation for months to come. Add in the youth resurgence in their lineup (Wander Franco, Vidal Brujan, Randy Arozarena, and Brandon Lowe) and you’ve got yourself a proverbial playoff contender.

Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays

AL Central

This one should be a bit more cut and dry–nothing personal against the Royals, Guardians, or Tigers, but I just don’t see it. The Twins made huge steps towards bolstering their lineup this offseason, grabbing Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela from the Yankees as well as Carlos Correa from free agency, but their pitching continues to be their kryptonite. And it’s not a small tiny bit of kryptonite that Superman could seemingly throw into orbit and forget about–it’s a boulder of kryptonite that’s been plaguing this team for years. The Twins have had only one pitcher with a sub 3.00 ERA in the last 12 years (Kenta Maeda in 2020) and things don’t look like they’ll change much this year behind a pitching staff spearheaded by Sonny Gray.

The real contender in this division is the White Sox, who I may even sprinkle a little bit of a World Series future bet on. Similar to the Blue Jays, the White Sox have a stacked lineup–but where the two teams differentiate is on the mound. The White Sox have the pitching depth to make a serious playoff run. Dylan Cease already proved his skill on his debut start, fanning 8 in just five innings while allowing just one run. Add on a lineup of Luis Robert, Tim Anderson, Eloy Jimenez, Jose Abreu, and a (questionably healthy) Yoan Moncada, and that’s any opposing team's nightmare.

Prediction: White Sox

AL West

I wish I could tell you I wasn’t going to predict the Astros here–but I can’t. The Astros have an incredibly talented pitching staff, a solid bullpen, and a lineup that just doesn’t quit. If Alex Bregman can bounce back from his down-season last year, then I wouldn’t be surprised if this team wins 100 games. BUT, this is not to say that the West is not competitive.

The Los Angeles Angels continue to be one of the biggest question marks in baseball. Can they finally take advantage of the fact that they have the TWO biggest talents in baseball, and make a push for the playoffs? Or, will they continue to struggle and barely win 80 games, continuing to waste the careers of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani?

The Seattle Mariners are also an interesting contender, and their lineup of unknown names should not shy you away from sprinkling a little bet on them. They have a lineup full of consistency–Ty France, Adam Frazier, Jesse Winker, and J.P. Crawford all hit above .275 last year. Also, they have some of the most exciting young prospects in the game in their outfield, with Julio Rodriguez and Jarred Kelenic both being given starting roles.

Prediction: Astros (with a sprinkle on the Mariners)