Six straight years of winning records (2015-20) came to a screeching halt when the 2021 Chicago Cubs scored 4.35 runs per game and allowed 5.18 RPG en route to going 71-91 (.438). And that’s with a fine 19-8 month of May in the mix.
Pitching was the major problem. Cubs starters clocked a 5.27 ERA, and the Chicago bullpen logged the fourth-most innings in the league. In their last 97 games, the club went 33-64 with a 5.71 ERA. For the season, the Cubs were 18-31 in games decided by 5 runs-or-more.
So, a rebuild is underway. Below, we look at the Chicago Cubs MLB futures odds, including their projected 2022 win total and World Series odds at Tipico Sportsbook.
Chicago Cubs 2022 World Series odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, March 31 at 3:21 p.m. ET.
Odds: +9000 (bet $100 to win $9,000)
The Los Angeles Dodgers (+480) are the favorites, followed by the Houston Astros (+900) and Toronto Blue Jays (+900).
At +9000, Chicago has an implied probability of winning the World Series of 1.1% or 90/1 fractional odds. Only five clubs (Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates) are listed at longer odds.
Books also over-pump their league-pennant and World Series markets, meaning the combined implied win percentages of all 30 clubs will exceed 100%. This inflation is even more pronounced with options at the bottom of the tote board. There is no value in a Cubs play here: PASS.
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Chicago Cubs 2022 playoff odds
Will the Cubs make the playoffs: Yes +500 | No -847
An awfully wide gap between these tags: PASS.
Chicago Cubs 2022 win total
Over/Under: 74.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
The Cubs made some notable additions in the offseason. Versatile OF Seiya Suzuki — formerly of the Nippon Professional Baseball League — was inked to a five-year, $85 million contract. SS Andrelton Simmons — a defensive standout — was acquired to provide some middle-infield depth.
1B Frank Schwindel put up a half-season of exciting numbers in 2021 (.346 batting average, 14 home runs, 43 RBIs), and that also has things looking up for the Chicago offense. Add SP Marcus Stroman to the rotation and the upside here is rebuilding plus some talented cornerstones as a solid foundation.
The lean here is a small one, so if Chicago becomes part of your futures mix, consider a partial-unit on this one. But there is some slight value in the OVER 74.5 (-115), especially in what figures to be a Milwaukee Brewers-dominated NL Central. The slew of games against the other three also-rans make for just enough upside here.
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Odds to win NL Central Division
- Milwaukee Brewers -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- St. Louis Cardinals +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Chicago Cubs +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200)
- Cincinnati Reds +1300 (bet $100 to win $1,300)
- Pittsburgh Pirates +5000 (bet $100 to win $5,000)
Chicago’s implied probability of winning the NL Central is 7.69% or 12/1 fractional odds. PASS, but keep an eye on this one. With this allotment of clubs, this Cubs squad is worth a line watch. The Cubs are worth a look at +1300.
Odds to win National League
Odds: +4000 (bet $100 to win $4,000)
The Cubs are in a fourth tier of pricing in the wagering for the NL pennant. The second and third tiers (options like the Brewers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Cardinals) have prices that offer better leverage. PASS.
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