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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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Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals in the first inning during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals in the first inning during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Dodgers

Current Bovada Win Total: 93.5

The Los Angeles Dodgers were 91-71 last season, which was good enough to secure a fourth consecutive National League Western Division title. Unfortunately for Dodgers fans, the team was knocked out in the NLCS, which extended the franchise’s World Series drought to 28 years. Fortunately for us, however, we only care about the regular season. And, the Dodgers are primed to pay off in 2017.

With annual Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw at the top, and a starting rotation depth chart that stretches eight deep to cover depth concerns, the pitching staff should excel once again. Kenley Jansen re-signed over the offseason to keep the ninth inning in good hands, and the bullpen as a whole led the big leagues in ERA (3.35) last year, and ranked second in batting average allowed (.221). Overall, the Dodgers were one of just five major league clubs to hold opponents to fewer than four runs per game (3.94) in 2016.

Los Angeles scored 725 runs last season, making them exactly league average offensively. Nevertheless, there isn’t a weak spot in the lineup. Shortstop Corey Seager finished third in the NL MVP vote and won’t turn 23 until late April. The club kept productive third baseman Justin Turner from signing elsewhere as a free agent, added second baseman Logan Forsythe via trade, and welcomes back Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal and as many as six outfielders capable of playing everyday.

Projections:

  • PECOTA: 97
  • Fangraphs: 94

Given they play in a division that includes perennial underachievers from San Driego, Arizona and Colorado, it’s very possibly the Dodgers post the best record in the National League in 2017. In fact, PECOTA projects the Dodgers to have the best record in baseball at 97-65, a full four games better than the defending World Series champion Cubs.

Prediction: Over 93.5 wins

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