2024 MLB Season Expectations
Welcome back to the 2024 MLB Season! I am really looking forward to this year and replicating our success from last year! We finished last year plus the playoffs in the positive over 75 units. I will be breaking down each team and division here, highlighting my expectations, players to watch from each team, and any recommended plays I have for season-long futures.
Betting Advice: Placing futures gets tricky depending on how you play. A lot of these futures will be favored lines and tying up bankroll for the length of the season doesn’t have value to me. If you are able to play with credit then these are the plays I highly recommend. Any + money plays you see in these lists can be played by anyone.
A.L East
Division Rank
Key Notes
Players to watch
Recommended Plays
1
The Yankees rotation and bullpen need improvement this year. Expect a few moves before the deadline if Cole is unable to come back.
Giancarlo Stanton & Anthony Rizzo—Soto and Judge won’t be able to carry the load themselves. Rizzo and Stanton will be the key to this Yankees lineup’s success at the 4-5 spot.
Alex Verdugo and Anthony Volpe should round out the bottom half of this lineup and have career seasons for themselves.
- New York Yankees to Score 1+ Run in Every Regular Season Game Before All-Star Break (DK) +2500: 1u
- Aaron Boone Manager of the Year +1200
2
Baltimore is dealing with injuries to Kyle Bradish and John Means.
Jackson Holliday will start the season in the minors to get some more reps before getting called up full time.
Adley and Gunnar must improve their production further this year to help carry this lineup.
I feel the rest of the lineup is weak and their wins will be reliant on their starting pitching.
Corbin Burnes, Dean Kremer, and Tyler Wells will be heavily relied on for the O’s to succeed & the O’s dominant bullpen will help take some pressure off.
- Lose in Divisional Series +300
- Lose in Wild Card Series +350
3
Toronto’s top three, Springer, Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette, are stacked, but Justin Turner is their cleanup hitter, and the 5-9 spots are concerning.
The pitching rotation is mediocre outside of Kevin Gausman, who I still believe is overachieving and will regress.
Kevin Gausman- coming off dealing with arm fatigue and will be limited when he starts the season. He will be Toronto’s ace and they need him to perform with such a lackluster rest of the rotation who should all hover around the 4.00 or worse ERA.
Cavan Biggio—I don’t know how much longer he’ll have to prove himself. He’s three seasons past that chance, in my opinion.
Alek Manoah — I am a buyer on Manoah. Manoah went from a Cy Young candidate and receiving MVP votes to being optioned to Triple-A last year. Manoah’s problems are mental at this point in time, in my opinion, and once he gets his confidence back, he will be a true difference maker.
- To Make Playoffs -125
- Over 86.5 wins -115
- Kevin Gausman Cy Young +700
4
Rafael Devers is the star of the Red Sox lineup and will be their most productive hitter.
Their rotation will have the biggest possibility of improving and getting them out of the basement.
The playoffs will be a stretch for Boston but they are a team to watch for the next few years.
Triston Casas/Ceddanne Rafaela – Casas made a huge jump last year and should hit the 30-homerun mark in 2024. Rafaela possesses all-around tools that will help the Sox fortify a potential 3-4-5 lineup for the future with Devers, Casas, and Rafaela. Look for him to develop this year and become a top name over the next few years.
Bryan Bello/Kutter Crawford — Both will be pivotal to any success Boston has this season and their future and I expect them to have very good seasons.
- Over 77.5 wins -115
- Rafael Devers over 33.5 home runs
5
I’m ready for the Rays to stop overachieving and hit the bottom of the standings. The wins total is only 84.5 which is 15 wins lower than their 2023 finish.
The lineup and rotation are both weak and outperforming their lowered expectations this year will be very tough for any manager.
Taj Bradley — Bradley showed some success last season outside of a rough month of July. If Bradley can get healthy and go deeper in games he can become a true ace for the Rays in the future.
- To Miss the Playoffs -140
A.L Central
Division Rank
Key Notes
Players to watch
Recommended Plays
1
The Tigers are young and in the weakest division in the majors. The lineup and rotation include young rookies who have a chance to take steps forward, with veterans like Jack Flaherty, Kenta Maeda, and Javier Baez anchoring the locker room.
Detroit will compete with Minnesota for the division lead, and who comes out on top will depend on the rotations.
Spencer Torkleson — Torkleson was my pick over Bobby Whitt Jr. to win the AL Rookie of the Year in 2022. Neither one came close with Julio Rodriguez and Adley Rutschman dominating the category. Torkleson took a huge step forward in 2023, blasting 31 home runs with 94 rbis for a team that finished six games under .500 and a twelve-game win improvement from 2023. His average dropped from the .270 range in the minors to the .230 range and needs to improve for the Tigers to get back in contention with a very weak lineup around him.
- To Make the Playoffs +185
- DET Tigers Regular Season Wins Bands 78-83 +260
- DET Tigers Regular Season Wins Bands 84-89 +340
2
Minnesota’s lineup is slowly falling off. Byron Buxton can’t stay healthy and Carlos Correa’s average continues to decline.
Carlos Santana should provide consistent 20 homerun 80 RBI power after signing a one-year contract in February.
Minnesota on paper are the odds on favorite to win the division but I’m not buying. A downtick in wins for Minnesota and an uptick in performance from the Tigers should make this a competitive race for the division title and only playoff spot from the Central.
Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff are on contract years and will seek arbitration this year. The two as well as Max Kepler should be the long term assets of the Twins roster.
- Minnesota to finish 2nd in the division +235
- Minnesota to miss the playoffs +145
3
Cleveland comes in with the best rotation in the Central division.
Jose Ramirez continues to produce at a top level and will anchor this lineup. The rest of the lineup is weak around him and will struggle to keep up with the pitching staff’s success. Cleveland finished bottom five in most major hitting categories last year and should find themselves back there again.
Shane Bieber — I believe Bieber was a product of Trevor Bauer’s spin rate manipulation and his numbers have regressed to say so. That said, he is still a threat and ace of this rotation. Bieber is scheduled to be a free agent this year and Cleveland has not been afraid to move their top players in the past.
- Cleveland to finish 3rd in the division +235
- Cleveland to finish 4th in the division +320
- Shane Bieber Cy Younng +2000
4
Chicago has the deepest lineup with the worst rotation in the division.
Dylan Cease was traded this offseason.
The AL West finished bottom of the league in most offensive categories and should be back in the same place this season.
Luis Robert is an outside MVP candidate and has been a favorite of others. If he played on a better team he’d be better than +5000 odds to win the honor. With 38 home runs and 80 RBIs Robert will look to raise his batting average to the .300 range he’s capable of. Robert has a very favorable contract for his production.
- N/A- Chicago has no value.
5
There is a lot of age around the Royals young studs and getting consistent production out of Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe will be asking a lot.
Adam Frazier signed a 1-year deal with a second-year option. Look for Frazier to be a trade deadline candidate.
This division is a disaster and is the worst to write up and find value in. The division is so bad that anything can happen and we can see anyone take it.
Kansas City will be a target this season, especially with the pitching staff of Seth Lugo, Brady Singer, and Michael Wacha.
Bobby Witt Jr. is the star of this team with Vinnie Pasquantino right behind him. These two are the future of the Royals franchise as they look to rebuild.
- N/A- Chicago has no value.
A.L West
Division Rank
Key Notes
Players to watch
Recommended Plays
1
The Astros’ pitching should be why they win the division.
The pitching rotation is full of injured potential stars with Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers, and Jose Uriquidy.
Pound for pound, Houston’s lineup will compete with Texas’, and their matchups this season will be one to watch every time.
Bad coaching allowed Houston to get back into their series with Texas but they’ll need more out of the rotation to get past them this year.
Josh Hader/Ryan Pressly will anchor this bullpen and alleviate the length the rotation will be expected to go this year.
Justin Verlander — Framber Valdez and Christian Javier are solid 2-3 pitchers but this team will need an ace to make a deep playoff run. A healthy Verlander can still put up ace numbers and they will need him.
- Over 93.5 wins
- HOU/TEX finish +230
- TEX/HOU finish +360
- To win the East +370
2
What a year last season was. We absolultely demolished the playoffs riding Texas from the start and having them +1000 to win the World Series after they traded for Max Scherzer.
Asking for a repeat is a lot, but this lineup will rake, and we will target their offense a lot. The AL is weak enough and having to get through Baltimore, Houston, or the Yankees is very realistic to return to the show.
Wyatt Langford—The top rookie made the opening-day roster and should be pivotal to the Rangers’ success. He may not produce fantasy-wise off the bat, but he’s a huge dynasty piece and late-round keeper possibility in redraft leagues.
- To win the East +700
- Division winner +230
- Over 88.5 wins
- Wyatt Langford Rookie of the Year +225
3
Seattle has a consistent 20+ homer power lineup. Julio Rodriguez is the star of this lineup with some seasoned vets around him.
Seattle is a team I usually stay away from especially in their own ballpark.
I don’t expect the M’s to compete for the division, but if there is a team in the division that could surprise everyone, it would be them.
We should see another three-way race for the division with Seattle’s rotation consistently giving their lineup a chance to win.
George Kirby — The Mariners will Kirby to continue his success to have a chance to compete for the division and playoffs.
- Lose in Wild Card +300
4
Ohtani is gone and Mike Trout is suffering
Nolan Schanuel — The Angels top rookie made his debut last season and will be the next face of the franchise with Ohtani gone and Mike Trout unable to stay healthy.
- They stink
3
I really don’t want to waste time here. Their only competition will be with the worst record in the league.
Barf
- N/A
NL Eaast
Division Rank
Key Notes
Players to watch
Recommended Plays
1
The Braves come in as the projected number-one overall team in the league. Their lineup is deep from top to bottom with their 1-6 being a complete powerhouse.
Their lineup should have multiple 100 RBI guys as well as multiple 30 HR guys.
Ozzie Albies is underrated and went under the radar coming into last season because of his 2022 injury. He very well could become a 30 HR / 100 RBI second baseman for this team and will still be overlooked in a lineup that consists of Ronald Acuna, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley.
The Pitching Staff — Chris Sale was brought in to be their #4 and the rotation could be the best 1-5 in the league. It will take some work for them to stay healthy and be consistent but the lineup in front of them should help the Braves finish with the best overall record.
- World Series +450
- over 101.5 wins
- Austin Riley over 35.5 home runs
- Ozzie Albies over 27.5 home runs
2
The Phillies will be a playoff team again this year and will look to seek vengeance after blowing their series to the Diamondbacks last year.
Bryce Harper — Harper had some power issues out of the gate last season after he returned from injury. The Phillies will need him to be in top form from the start with such a competitive NL.
Nick Castellanos — Castellanos struggled last year and is being moved down the lineup. His defense makes him a liability and if he can’t get his free-swinging under control at the plate the Phillies may look to move him. 185 strikeouts are a real detriment to a 30 HR / 90 RBI producer.
- Aaron Nola over 11.5 wins
- Aaron Nola Cy Young +2000
- Over 89.5 wins
- Lose in Wild Card Series +280
- Lose in Championship Series +650
- Lose in World Series +1300
3
The Marlins are like the Coyotes of the NHL. They’re not a good team but they play with pride. They snuck out a playoff birth during covid and while I don’t expect much out of them this season, the bottom half of the division is weak enough for them to stay ahead of the Mets.
Jake Burger — Burger put up 34 home runs in his first full season in the bigs. I always worry about the dreaded sophomore slump so let’s see how Burger does with all eyes on him now.
- Finishing position 3rd +200
4
The Mets continue to disappoint year after year. With Alonso on the verge of leaving, Craig Counsel being hired as the coach, and the lineup and pitching staff far off from what Steve Cohen put together the past few seasons, I expect the Mets to finish even further down in the standings. The future is not bright if you’re a Mets fan and I’m not sure it ever was.
Pete Alonso — Alonso is a free agent after this season so look for him to have a year similar to his rookie campaign.
- Aaron Nola over 11.5 wins
- Aaron Nola Cy Young +2000
- Over 89.5 wins
- Lose in Wild Card Series +280
- Lose in Championship Series +650
- Lose in World Series +1300
5
At least Nats fans saw a World Series before this team fell apart.
Patrick Corbin — He will continue to be a betting target when on the mound and we will look to profit on him as much as possible. This guy stinks.
Josiah Gray — Gray can either become a legitimate starter in the league or fall off into Patrick Corbin Territory this year.
- N/A
NL West
Division Rank
Key Notes
Players to watch
Recommended Plays
1
I have been a seller on the Padres when everyone else was buying. Now with everyone else buying on the Dodgers, D-Backs, and Giants, I’m buying on the Padres.
There seems to be a newfound comradery with the Padres this year. Blake Snell was added to the staff and Juan Soto was traded to the Yankees. I am a firm believer that teams win championships, not superstars, and the Padres group feels the most like a team that it’s ever been.
They have something to prove this year and there’s too much going on in L.A for me to buy into them.
Jackson Merrill — For those of you who have played fantasy with me, you have likely played with Jackson Merrill’s brother. He is a Baltimore kid who’s best friends with Sanaynay and made the opening day roster. We took him as the NL ROTY at +10,000 just to see those odds drop to +1,100. It may take some time for him to truly settle in but he already has his first hit and runs scored with the series over in Seoul.
Manny Machado — This is Manny’s team to lead. If they want to have a real chance this year it starts with him.
- Jackson Merrill NL ROTY +10,000 (play what odds you have now)
- over 83.5 wins
- Division winner +1100
- to make the playoffs +155
2
There are a lot of distractions in LA right now surrounding their star acquisition Shohei Ohtani. I also do not buy into Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Dodgers finishing second in the division will be lucky with the lack of success from the Giants and Diamondbacks.
The offense will keep the Dodgers where they need to be but I believe they are in for some frustrating stretches.
- Fading
3
The Giants will surprise this year with their rotation. Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, and Blake Snell will give the Giants a chance to win every night. Don’t expect much from this offense with their lack of power and average, but expect them to win many low scoring games.
Kyle Harrison — The rookie will have a lot of eyes on him this season and can help the Giants make a push for the playoffs
- Zac Gallen under 13.5 wins
4
Zac Gallen, Jordan Montgomery, and Merrill Kelly provide for a solid top three in the rotation and will keep Arizon in contention. I believe last year was a fluke and don’t see Arizona being a legitimate contender again this year.
The lineup has depth but I don’t believe they will be consistent enough to make wavees.
Corbin Carroll — the kid is exciting to watch and will be the highlight of the D-Backs roster.
- Zac Gallen under 13.5 wins
5
I miss the old Rockies. It’s going to be a long rough year.
Kris Bryant — What a disapointment. Bum.
- N/A
