I'm excited about the 2023 Chicago Cubs, who added SS Dansby Swanson in the offseason, moved young star Nico Hoerner to 2B, and will start the regular season with a very good pitching staff (Marcus Stroman, Justin Steele, Drew Smyly, Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon). I'm so excited, I would bet the Cubs go (OVER) 77.5 wins this year.
MLB regular season win totals, most of which were released last month by a host of sportsbooks, can be a profitable market to delve into for baseball bettors looking for a solid return on investment.
Here is my best MLB o/u bet to make before the start of the regular season.
Chicago Cubs OVER 77.5 Wins (-110)
Perhaps, I'm missing out on something but the Cubs' win total seems a bit low.
Despite not being too competitive in 2022, or trying to be, the Cubs finished 74-88, and went OVER 73.5 total wins.Now, they're listed at O/U 77.5 wins for 2023 at a majority of US sportsbooks, including BetMGM.
I'm betting OVER.
Swanson, an MVP-type player, is a marked upgrade at SS, and a good bet to put up lofty stats at Wrigley Field, while Hoerner, moving to 2B, is a young star. Together, they form a lethal leather duel up the middle.
C Tucker Barnhardt and 1B Eric Hosmer, both Gold Glove winners, add even more defense to what could turn into one of the elite infields in all of the big leagues.
Especially with the no-shift rule now in play.
Chicago also bought low on OF/1B Cody Bellinger and OF/1B Trey Mancini, two former All-Stars who, in a pinch, can play multiple positions. Bellinger, discarded by the Dodgers, and Mancini, who has logged a few flier miles since beating the odds in Baltimore, are out for big deals, and arrive with built-in storylines around them.
Yet, it's Chicago's pitching staff, featuring Stroman, Steele and Smyly at the top of the rotation, which makes the Cubs a serious threat to win the NL Central. Add Hendricks and Taillon, and the 'W's' will be flying high at Wrigley Field.
The pitching depth, especially in the bullpen, is cause for concern, but there's always a chance the Cubs, if hanging in what appears to be a soft NL Central or vying for a Wild Card spot, make a move as they get closer to the trade deadline.
The Cardinals, favorites at most sportsbooks to win the division, have legit questions outside of their collection of young arms, Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, while the Brewers look to be a little light on offense these days. The Reds and Pirates, both coming off 62-100 tabs in 2022, are non-factors for the time being. All told, it makes the Cubs a smart bet to go OVER 77.5 wins. If not, to win the NL Central in 2023.
(Please check your favorite sportsbooks for a full list of MLB over/under win totals, updated odds, etc. Please bet responsibly and thank you for reading.)
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