Here are the favorites to contend for the 2022 World Series crown, along with the odds according to Sportshandicapper.com.
Los Angeles Dodgers +500 The favorite to win it all has made five NLCS appearances in the last six seasons, including winning the World Series in 2020. The starting rotation is strong again, and offensively, this should be the best team in baseball.
Toronto Blue Jays +900 The East Division is highly competitive, but the Blue Jays are the favorite out of the American League despite finishing in fourth place last season. The Blue Jays led all of MLB with 262 home runs last season, and with triple crown threat Vladimir Guerrero leading the way, this team is a force to be reckoned with.
Houston Astros +1000 You can’t overlook the team that has been to the ALCS five straight years and appeared in the World Series three times during that stretch. The Astros led all of MLB in runs scored last season. According to WAR, they also return seven of their top eight position players and ranked third in MLB with 76 team defensive runs saved in 2021.
New York Mets +1000 The Mets finished eight games below .500 last year but will be much better this season. New York finished ninth in ERA last season, despite Jacob deGrom only making 15 starts due to injury. After adding Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt to their starting rotation, if the Mets can stay healthy, they can beat any team in a series.
New York Yankees +1100 The Bronx Bombers have made the playoffs in each of the last five seasons, and that trend should continue. The Yankees are loaded with talent and have a front office that will not be afraid to take chances to upgrade the roster during the season.
Chicago White Sox +1100 Chicago has a good balance. In 2021 the team finished fifth in ERA and seventh in runs scored. Defensively there is room for improvements, as they finished 28th in team defensive runs saved.
Atlanta Braves +1200 They lost Freddie Freeman in the offseason, but after winning the World Series without Ronald Acuna Jr due to injury, the Braves are a contender to repeat with Acuna Jr back and healthy.
Others to watch: Tampa Bay Rays 1400, Milwaukee Brewers 1600, San Diego Padres 1600
| Title: MLB World Series Contenders and Odds | Author: David Marotta | Date: April 1, 2022
The 68 team field for the 2022 NCAA Tournament is set. Every year, there are some upsets and teams that go further than expected. Last year was no different. Leading the Cinderellas was No. 11 seed UCLA who went to the final four, and No. 12 seed Oregon State that went to the elite 8. You also had No. 11 seed Syracuse and No. 15 Oral Roberts both making it to the Sweet 16. As you are filling out your brackets for this latest addition of madness, here are my favorite sleeper teams to watch out for.
Virginia Tech
Mar 12, 2022; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Hunter Cattoor (0) reacts after hitting a three point shot against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament final at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The ACC Tournament champions are only a No. 11 seed, but they are rated 23rd in the nation overall according to KenPom. They are also 18th in adjusted offensive efficiency and sixth in the nation shooting 38.8% from three-point territory, which makes them a tough matchup for Texas. The Hokies opened up as only a one-point underdog in their first-round matchup and could be a threat to go all the way to the Elite-8.
Vermont The No. 13 seed in the West Region is 15th in the nation shooting 48.6% from the floor and also strong from three-point range and the free-throw line. Leading the way is a senior duo of Ryan Davis and Ben Shungu, who both average better than 16 ppg, and shot above 41% from three. If Vermont can get past Arkansas, they also have a legit chance to beat the UConn/New Mexico State game-winner.
Loyola Chicago What list of Cinderalla’s would be complete without the Ramblers? This program went all the way to the Final Four in 2018 as a No. 11 seed and to the Sweet 16 last year as a No. 8 seed. This year, Loyola comes into the tournament as a No.10 seed, but 24 overall according to KenPom. They also rank 10th in the nation shooting 48.9% from the field and eighth hitting 38.8% from three. The Ramblers opened up as a 1.5-point favorite for their first-round matchup against Ohio State and are a team to watch out for.
Richmond Spiders Since 1985, there have only been five years where no No.12 seeds pulled off an upset, so you should pencil in at least one No.12 to get out of the first round. If the Spiders can pull off the first-round upset of Iowa, they have a solid chance to get to the Sweet 16. The Spiders are playing well right now and ran the table as the No. 6 seed in the Atlantic-10 Tournament, upsetting VCU, Dayton, and Davidson, to punch an automatic bid. The Spiders have tremendous size and experience and should not be overlooked.
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