Fansided

Top 10 MLB team over/under bets in 2017

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Mar 1, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado (13) at bat against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado (13) at bat against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) throws to first base during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) throws to first base during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Astros

Current Bovada Win Total: 89.5

Remember this? In June 2014, Sports Illustrated put Astros slugger George Springer on its cover along with the headline “Your 2017 World Series Champs.” When the issue hit newsstands, the club was 36-48, having already shown marked improvement following three straight 100-loss seasons.

The following year, Houston made the postseason for the first time since 2005, and followed up with an 84-78 record in 2016. Houston missed the postseason by five games, tied with the rebuilding Yankees in the Wild Card standings, but a second consecutive winning season proved their quick rebuild was no fluke.

Now, the Astros are the favorite to win the division according to online sports books and Las Vegas odds makers. There’s plenty of reason to believe Houston won’t just make it back to October, but that can fulfill what seemed like a silly SI prediction.

The lineup is loaded. Springer has blossomed into a productive outfielder, second baseman Jose Altuve is one of the best offensive performers in all of baseball and shortstop Carlos Correa is a budding superstar. Alex Bregman and Yulieski Gurriel both showed promise in 2016, and are capable of much more productivity in their first full seasons in the big leagues. Newcomers Brian McCann, Josh Reddick, Carlos Beltran, Nori Aoki and a solid bench means there are no weak spots in the lineup. The group plays pretty good defense as well.

As for the pitching staff, Dallas Keuchel won the 2015 AL Cy Young and Lance McCullers is a trendy pick to win the award in 2017. There’s depth in the rotation, and winter rumors surrounding Jose Quintana and others lead us to believe that Houston will make a trade to strengthen the unit this summer if necessary. Plus, closer Ken Giles was much better than his 4.11 ERA would indicate, and the Astros bullpen as a whole posted the top WAR (7.9) in the big leagues last season.

Projections:

  • PECOTA: 93
  • Fangraphs: 91

Improving from 84 wins to 90 isn’t a stretch, and with the Rangers likely to take a step back, Houston is primed to surge ahead in the standings.

Prediction: Over 89.5

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