The Cleveland Guardians enter a new era following their first losing season since 2012 and missing the playoffs in 2021 for the second time in the last three years.
Below, we look at the Cleveland Guardians’ MLB futures odds, including their projected 2022 win total and World Series odds at Tipico Sportsbook.
Cleveland’s history of being conservative continued this offseason when the Guardians made no notable upgrades to the roster. It had the fourth-lowest offseason spending, according to Spotrac.com.
The Guardians are relying on some of their young starters to take the next steps in their careers and for 2020 American League Cy Young SP Shane Bieber to regain his form after missing half of last season with an injury.
The bottom of Cleveland’s range is fourth in the AL Central and the top is a division crown. Let’s examine what’s likelier to happen.
Cleveland Guardians’ 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 10:33 p.m. ET.
Odds: +7000 (bet $100 to win $7,000)
PASS because both Bieber and 3B Jose Ramirez would both have to flirt with Triple Crown seasons for the Guardians to have a chance at winning the whole thing.
You could talk me into sprinkling on Cleveland’s futures to make the playoffs or to win the AL Central but the Guardians ain’t winning the World Series.
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Cleveland Guardians’ 2022 playoff odds
Will the Guardians make the playoffs: Yes +350 | No -500
PASS because the AL East has four teams better than the Guardians, the Chicago White Sox are rightfully heavy favorites to repeat as AL Central champions and the AL West has at least two better teams than Cleveland.
Even in the inaugural 12-team playoff format, the Guardians will most likely be the odd man out of the playoff race.
Cleveland Guardians’ 2022 win total
Over/Under: 76.5 (O: -115 | U: -110)
BET GUARDIANS OVER 76.5 WINS (-115) because they won 80 games last year with a below-average lineup, mediocre-to-subpar bullpen and an injury to their then-reigning AL Cy Young winner Bieber.
Granted, Cleveland’s lineup will still be league-average but Bieber will be on the mound Opening Day and is a top-3 starter in the AL. Also, the rest of Cleveland’s rotation has shown promise.
For instance, 2016 first-round SP Cal Quantrill was phenomenal in the second half of 2021. Quantrill was 7-1 after the All-Star game with a 1.94 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. The other 3 Guardians starters are in their mid-20s and Cleveland has a proven track record as a pitching factory.
Furthermore, organizational depth is more important than top-notch talent because injuries are unavoidable nowadays. Cleveland’s farm system is ranked ninth in the MLB with four top-100 prospects, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.
The GUARDIANS OVER 76.5 WINS (-115) is my favorite Cleveland future.
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Odds to win AL Central Division
- Chicago White Sox -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Detroit Tigers +600 (bet $100 to win $600)
- Minnesota Twins +600 (bet $100 to win $600)
- Cleveland Guardians +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)
- Kansas City Royals +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500)
LEAN to the GUARDIANS (+1000) to win the AL Central since they should have the third-best odds to win the division so I see some value in this number.
The Minnesota Twins’ starting rotation is too suspect and the Detroit Tigers finished strong in 2021 but would need too many things to fall into place to win the division.
While I agree the Chicago White Sox should be the clear favorite, they have one of the weakest farm systems in the MLB and I’m not sold on Chicago’s rotation either.
But, it’s only a LEAN to the GUARDIANS (+1000) to win the division since the White Sox have a top-5 lineup and bullpen in baseball and should cruise to a second straight AL Central crown if they stay healthy.
Odds to win American League
Odds: +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)
PASS since Cleveland’s only path to the postseason would be stealing the worst division in the AL if Chicago significantly underperforms expectations.
Obviously, if that happens, we might shop for lines for the Guardians to win the pennant at a decent price in October.
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