2018 MLB Betting Predictions: 4 Long Shots Who Could Beat the Odds

The 2018 Major League Baseball season is underway, and you’re probably hearing all about how the Yankees have stocked their lineup by adding Giancarlo Stanton (since Miami has decided they’d rather have a minor-league payroll) or how Boston has added J.D. Martinez and now will be able to hit the ball. Maybe you’ve heard about the rebuilding plans in Kansas City and in Chicago (for the Sox) and how the Cubs are going to win 105 games this year. This sports betting article, though, is all about the dark horses, teams that could come out of nowhere to surprise everyone. We’ve come up with four teams that you should consider if you like seeing your MLB betting  underdogs surprise everyone.

2018 MLB Betting Predictions: 4 Long Shots Who Could Beat the Odds

MLB Power Rankings: Post Opening Weekend https://t.co/Lu9pCJWD6h pic.twitter.com/l3lMQ31EZM

— Zesty MLB Rangers (@zesty_TXrangers) April 4, 2018

Atlanta Braves

While a lot of prognosticators see the Braves as a team on the rise, most of them don’t see them making noise until 2019. However, they have a ton of hot prospects, and if they can bring them along in 2018, they could contribute and cause some havoc in the National League East this year. Eight of the Braves’ prospects are on the Top 100 Prospects list on MLB.com. Ronald Acuna sits at #2 on that list, and he will begin the season with the Braves’ ‘Triple-A club — more than likely to keep his service time low enough to allow the club to control him longer. He’s a five-tool outfielder who will make an impact as soon as he joins the big club. They also have shortstop Dansby Swanson coming into his second season, and second baseman Ozzie Albies, who have the Braves solid up the middle. Center fielder Ender Inciarte won Gold Gloves in 2016 and 2017. They already have an established slugger in first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds have finished in dead last in the National League Central for three consecutive seasons. They haven’t cracked .500 in four years. Joey Votto remains the marquee hitter in this lineup, but there are some other hitters around Votto who can also rake, which means that Votton should see more pitches to hit this season. Then there’s the rotation. Luis Castillo has ace stuff — can he follow up that talent with execution? Anthony DeSclafani is projected to return in May or June after missing all of 2017, and Brandon Finnegan’s injury shouldn’t keep him on the shelf too long. Then there’s Homer Bailey, who will turn 32 this year. He’s seen the last three years go down the toilet due to injuries, but if he can bounce back, that would be a huge win for the pitching staff. Raisel Iglesias might be the best closer you haven’t heard of, and Nick Senzel, who was the second overall draft pick in 2016, could contribute to that lineup as well.

Oakland A’s

Did you know that no other team hit more home runs than Oakland did after the All-Star break last year (109)? Khris Davis was already a proven slugger, but Matt Olson and Matt Chapman emerged as power bats as well. They picked up catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who definitely could use a comeback season, and Stephen Piscotty should add some punch to the lineup as well. Their rotation has Kendall Graveman and Sean Manaea as their anchors, and A.J. Puk should be up in the bigs soon.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies lost 96 games last year and appeared to be heading toward another rebuilding year at the bottom of the standings in 2018. Then they went and added three top free agents, in slugger Carlos Santana, starting pitcher Jake Arrieta and reliever Pat Neshek. In the batting order, Santana joins Nick Williams and Rhys Hoskins, who established themselves as solid hitters last year. Jorge Alfaro at catcher, Cesar Hernandez at second base, J.P. Crawford at short and Odubel Herrera in center field combine to give the Phils a solid defense up the middle. Third baseman Maikel Franco showed signs of power too. Arrieta joins Aaron Nola atop a growing Philadelphia rotation, and closer Hector Neris appears to have a high ceiling as well.