Every three years, the World Baseball Classic captivates the baseball world. This year’s rendition has been nothing short of spectacular, with all the best players descending on multiple venues to try and catapult their respective nations to baseball glory.
While that’s been happening the MLB futures market has continued to churn. Bettors are busy evaluating the landscape and getting their money down on the top teams in every division.
Where is the betting money flowing and which teams are poised to rise to the top of their respective divisions?
AL East
For years, the AL East has been one of the most competitive offerings in all sport. From Tampa Bay to Toronto, every team has had their shot at the AL East pennant in recent years. Still, the betting world can never get enough of the New York Yankees.
That’s the case again in 2026, with the Yankees leading the charge in several betting arenas. Their 31.5% handle is matched by their +180 betting price, both of which lead the division. Still, it’s the upstart Baltimore Orioles who are commanding the public’s adoration. So far, the O’s are being written on 32.9% of the tickets, making them BetMGM’s most prominent liability.
Any of these five teams are capable of making a run up the standings, so keep your ideas flexible when it comes to betting on the AL East.
AL Central
More than any other division, the AL Central is a crapshoot. We’ve seen unsuspecting teams step up in the past, and the betting market reflects that state of turmoil.
The Detroit Tigers enter the season as the favorites, priced as +110 chalk; however, most of that money is from public support. Detroit leads the division in terms of ticket count 41.7%, but are further behind in handle. That distinction belongs to the Kansas City Royals who are collecting a whopping 47.2% of the money.
This isn’t just a two-horse race, though. The Twins, Guardians, and even the White Sox could surprise.
AL West
We’ve started to see a changing of the guard in the AL West. For years, the Houston Astros triumphed over their divisional rivals, but we’ve witnessed a dramatic change in betting fortunes in 2026.
The Seattle Mariners have emerged as the class of the AL West. The M’s lead in handle, ticket count, and betting price, making them the biggest liability at BetMGM.
The Astros are the logical bet to potentially upend the Mariners, but it’s clear that this is Seattle’s division to lose.
NL East
For years, the New York Mets have tried to outspend their NL East counterparts in hopes of reclaiming their former glory. They may have finally unlocked the door, as the betting world has bought into their masterplan.
The Mets lead the betting market, with their 72.6% handle nearly doubling their 38.3% ticket count. Predictably, that has resulted in a shortening of the betting odds, with New York currently priced as the odds-on favorites.
Don’t discount the Phillies or Braves in the NL East, as both teams have proven track records for extracting maximum value throughout the season.
NL Central
Even though they always let us down, people aren’t shying away from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central. They have become the public darling, standing in contrast to the sharp-favored Chicago Cubs.
Pittsburgh has a wealth of young talent, although, they still haven’t come together as a team. Joe Public is betting they shed that reputation this season, as reflected in their 38.5% ticket count.
Conversely, sharp bettors are flocking to the Cubs en masse. Chicago has retooled its roster, attracting 44.5% of the betting handle.
As we see most seasons, the Brewers are more than capable of stretching their budget to deliver winning results. Milwaukee’s betting appeal will start to develop once the action starts, meaning now could be the time to back the Brewers.
NL West
It’s not even fun to bet on the NL West anymore. By virtue of their unrelenting commitment to spending, the Los Angeles Dodgers are once again the betting favorites out West.
Without these teams even taking to the field, the Dodgers are already priced as prohibitive -650 chalk. But as we saw last year, injuries will be a factor and the Dodgers’ path to an NL West pennant may not be as clear-cut as implied.
Curiously, bettors are seeking refuge on the Colorado Rockies. They lead the division in ticket count, collecting 38.7% of the bets written. Relative to their long odds, the Rockies are the biggest liability in the market.
Final Thoughts
Opening Day 2026 is just weeks away, meaning the division market will only get more convoluted. Bettors haven’t been shy about getting out in front of the action, taking principled stands on teams in every division. Surely, those odds will continue to adjust, precipitating another exciting MLB season!
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
