2022 MLB Picks: Best Bets to Win American and National League Championships

Eric Uribe
By , Updated on: Nov 5, 2021 12:00 AM
2022 MLB Picks: Best Bets to Win American and National League Championships

While the Atlanta Braves are free to bask in their 2021 World Series victory, it's already time for us to start thinking about betting on MLB for the 2022 season. And since we've already tackled our way-too-early 2022 World Series picks, it only feels right that our next batch of 2022 MLB picks hit the best bets to win the American and National League Championships.

Of course, this early into the MLB offseason, the best online sportsbooks have yet to drop their 2022 MLB pennant race betting odds. But we can identify the top AL and NL contenders by taking stock of the opening 2022 World Series betting odds from BetOnline

TeamBovada
Los Angeles Dodgers+480
Toronto Blue Jays+850
Chicago White Sox+950
Houston Astros+1000
Atlanta Braves+1200
Milwaukee Brewers+1200
New York Yankees+1300
New York Mets+1500
San Diego Padres+1600
Tampa Bay Rays+1600
Los Angeles Angels+2500
San Francisco Giants+2500
Boston Red Sox+2500
Philadelphia Phillies+2500
St. Louis Cardinals+3000
Seattle Mariners+3000
Minnesota Twins+4500
Detroit Tigers+5500
Miami Marlins+8000
Cleveland Guardians+9000
Texas Rangers+9500
Kansas City Royals+10000
Cincinnati Reds+13000
Chicago Cubs+13000
Washington Nationals+15000
Colorado Rockies+20000
Oakland Athletics+25000
Arizona Diamondbacks+25000
Pittsburgh Pirates+50000
Baltimore Orioles+50000

Definitely check back to see when 2022 MLB World Series odds get officially released. For the time being, we will give you our three best 2022 MLB bets for the AL Championship and our three best 2022 MLB bets for the NL Championship. This way, you'll be ready to make a decision when 2022 MLB odds are fully announced later in the offseason.

2022 MLB Pennant Race Predictions

Before digging into our 2022 MLB AL and NL picks, please remember that analyzing next year's landscape is a difficult task at the moment. We have yet to see MLB go through the offseason. There will be trades, free-agency signings and even injuries that shake up rosters and impact the competitive field.

All of our current best 2022 MLB bets are based on rosters as they currently stand and try to account for any uncertainty or prospective moves that might be made. It's important to keep track of MLB offseason odds, though, so you can see if any of these teams suddenly become less-than-stellar wagers.

Better American League Bet: Houston Astros or Chicago White Sox?

 

Don't be one of those people who decides to write off the Houston Astros after their latest World Series loss. They might be 0-3 during their three championship-round appearances, but they have been one of the most dominant teams, if not the absolute most dominant, over the past half-decade.

Some people will talk themselves into the Chicago White Sox as the better American League bet. You shouldn't be one of them.

Houston Astros To win the 2022 American League Championship
BetOnline
TBA

Will the New York Yankees be Real AL Championship Contenders?

 

The short answer: Yes, we believe the New York Yankees will be in the thick of the 2022 AL pennant race

Indeed, they were super inconsistent this past season. But their offense started to show signs of life later in the year. A batting order with Aaron Judge and Giancarlos Stanton won't post a below-average slugging percentage again.

New York Yankees To win the 2022 American League Championship
BetOnline
TBA

The Toronto Blue Jays Could be AL Favorites

 

If push comes to shove, we're picking the Astros to come out of the American League next season. But we're giving real consideration to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Last year's squad led the league in slugging percentage and was second in batting average. Without a ton of key free agents, plus an average age of under 27 in their batting order, we're fully confident the Blue Jays will be back—and better than ever.

Toronto Blue Jays To win the 2022 American League Championship
BetOnline
TBA

Better National League Bet: San Francisco Giants or San Diego Padres?

 

Many will immediately side with the San Francisco Giants in this discussion. We're in the minority.

The Giants had a great year. They were probably the third best team in the regular season. But their offense is on the older side, and many of their best pitchers will be on the wrong side of 30 next year. 

The Padres are younger, and they have two potential MVP candidates in Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. Sure, they're coming off a crummy season. But they have plenty of room for internal improvement. 

San Diego Padres To win the 2022 National League Championship
BetOnline
TBA

Will the Reigning Champion Braves be NL Contenders?

 

Believe it or not, the Braves are barely laying top-seven World Series odds in 2022 after just winning the whole thing. That is incredibly weird.

Linemakers are likely accounting for the fact Atlanta didn't climb above .500 until mid-August this season. We don't care. They made a bunch of star acquisitions at the deadline, have money to spend this summer and are only at risk of losing one top-25 free agency. Consider them an NL championship contender until they prove to be the inverse.

Atlanta Braves To win the 2022 National League Championship
BetOnline
TBA

NL Beware: Dodgers Aren't Going Anywhere

Will the Los Angeles Dodgers be our top 2022 National League Championship pick? We're not yet sure. But to believe they're done contending is a joke.

No pitching staff posted a better ERA this season, and the average age of Los Angeles' arms remains under 29. Though the Dodgers have a cabal of really good players entering free agency, it's hard to worry about them taking a step back. They've shown in the past they'll pay to not only keep incumbent players, but acquire additional talent.

Los Angeles Dodgers To win the 2022 National League Championship
BetOnline
TBA

Check out this list of the best online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your MLB futures betting:

  • EXCLUSIVE BONUS
    Bovada
    4.2/5
    50% bonus up to $250
    Copy Promocode BTCSWB750
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • BetOnline
    3.9/5
    50% bonus up to $1000
    Copy Promocode BET1000
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • EXCLUSIVE BONUS
    BetUS
    4.1/5
    125% up to $2,500
    Copy Promocode Join125
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • Xbet
    50% up to $500
    Copy Promocode XBWELCOME50
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • BetNow
    4.1/5
    100% up to $1,000
    Copy Promocode BN150
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • MyBookie
    100% bonus up to $1000
    Copy Promocode MB100
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • Bookmaker
    100% up to $400
    No Code Needed
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • Sportsbetting
    3.6/5
    50% up to $1000
    No Code Needed
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • EveryGame
    3.8/5
    $500 Sign Up Bonus
    Copy Promocode WELCOME500
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

  • BetNow
    4.3/5
    100% up to $450
    No Code Needed
    Play Now

    T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly

Meet the author

Eric Uribe

Born and raised in Nevada, Eric was exposed to the world of sports betting at an early age. He yearned to be 21 just to hit the sportsbook, and when that day finally came, he became a regular at the smoke-filled room, sweating out bets with sketchy characters. Eric'...

Online Sports Betting may receive compensation if you sign up through our links. Rest assured, we avoid biases and provide honest opinions on sportsbooks. Read our affiliate disclosure here.