The Cleveland Guardians went 92-70 last season and won the American League Central Division title, and then won a Wild-Card series over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Not much was expected against the heavily-favored, and deep-pocketed, New York Yankees in the AL Divisional Series, but the Guardians won 2 of the 1stt 3 games, pushing the Bronx Bombers to the brink. The Guardians bowed out in 5, but taking the Yankees the distance gives the fan base expectations heading into 2023.
The team added a big-ticket item in 1B Josh Bell on a 2-year, $33 million deal, and it added C Mike Zunino to the mix.
The Guardians hope to make another playoff run in 2023. Let’s analyze the Cleveland Guardians’ World Series odds, along with their projected win total, playoff, division and AL odds as we make our expert MLB picks and predictions.
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Cleveland Guardians World Series odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, March 22, at 12:13 a.m. ET.
Odds: +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)
Cleveland is tied for the 12th-shortest odds to win it all. The Houston Astros (+600) are the favorites, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers (+700), New York Mets (+700) and New York Yankees (+750).
At +3000, Cleveland has an implied probability of winning the World Series of 3.23% or 30/1 fractional odds.
The Oakland A’s have the longest odds at +40000. The Washington Nationals are next at +40000.
Taking the GUARDIANS (+3000) to win the World Series for a chance to multiply your initial wager 30 times is worth a small-unit bet, especially since this team has a very good chance to get into the postseason.
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Cleveland Guardians playoff odds
Will they make the playoffs: Yes -150 | No +125
After spending rare big money on a free agent (Bell), expectations are high for this installment of the Guardians. The team has the pitching, and Bell joins a lineup thirsty for his power.
The 30-year-old Bell smacked 17 home runs and 71 RBI last season splitting time between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres. He was hitting a career-best .301 in D.C. before flaming out after his trade.
With Bell and Zunino joining a lineup with OF Steven Kwan, SS Amed Rosario, 3B Jose Ramirez, DH Josh Naylor, OF Oscar Gonzalez and 2B Andres Gimenez, this offense should make some noise, when healthy.
The Guardians are expected to make the playoffs, and it has the pitching to win this division for a 2nd consecutive season.
Cleveland Guardians win total
Over/Under: 86.5 (O: -130 | U: +110)
This team won 92 regular-season games last season en route to the Central Division title. After retaining Naylor and Rosario on 1-year deals to avoid arbitration, while inking SPs Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac and Cal Quantrill to similar deals, all of the pieces are back in place for another postseason run.
The Guardians also have one of the best young closers in the game in Emmanuel Clase, so don’t expect him to give any games away.
The Guardians didn’t really lose anything from last season’s division-winning team, while improving the lineup with Bell and Zunino.
Even if this team were to win 5 fewer games, and there is no reason to believe that will happen, it would still exceed this win total. Bet OVER -130.
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To win AL Central Division
- Cleveland Guardians +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Chicago White Sox +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Minnesota Twins +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
- Detroit Tigers +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)
- Kansas City Royals +4000 (bet $100 to win $4,000)
Cleveland’s implied probability of winning the AL Central is 42.55%, or 27/20 fractional odds.
Chicago has added some nice pieces, and Minnesota and Chicago will also give chase. But Cleveland is in the driver’s seat in the division, thanks in large part to its depth in the rotation, solid offensive additions to an already strong lineup, and it’s dominant All-Star closer.
To win American League
Odds: +1300 (bet $100 to win $400)
OK, I’ll take a flier at 30/1 on an all-out World Series win, and I feel as if the Guardians are a solid bet to win the AL Central.
However, I am going really low on a World Series title. One would think, well then play Cleveland to win the AL, too, right? Wrong. There just isn’t as much value in this play.
The Astros (+260), the Yankees (+330), even the Blue Jays (+480) and Mariners (+750) have shorter odds, and are better bets. If this were in the neighborhood of, say, +2000, it would be a more enticing wager.
PASS.
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