Mets Futures Odds' Won't Get Any Better with Max Scherzer Set to Return

Good news for New York Mets fans.

Superstar and future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer will return to action this afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds. This couldn’t come at a better time for New York with the Atlanta Braves just 3.5 games back in the NL East. They may be in 1st place, but New York is losing steam a bit as the summer heats up. Still, since Scherzer went down on May 18, the Mets managed a 26-15 record in the 41 games. 

Obviously, the return of Scherzer makes this team better. But will this return shift the MLB futures odds for the Amazins? The 37-year-old Scherzer boasts a 2.54 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 49 ⅔ innings this season. Scherzer recently struck out 14 batters in six innings during a minor-league rehab assignment and looks locked in to return. 

Mets World Series Odds

According to WynnBET Sportsbook, the Mets are +750 to win the World Series behind the Dodgers (+425), Yankees (+450), and Astros (+550). Additionally, New York is +350 to win the National League Pennant behind the Dodgers (+240) and lead the NL East race with -175 odds to take the division. 

While Scherzer’s return to action will help this team move forward, I don’t foresee the odds of these futures budging much, if at all. First of all, as I pointed out above, the Mets didn’t miss a beat with him out. Despite losing one of the best pitchers in baseball the Mets' win percentage remains nearly identical. New York won 64.1% of their games before May 18 and 63.41% since losing Scherzer. 

All this is not to say that the return of Scherzer is insignificant to this team or the league. He is one of the best arms in the game after all. But, in terms of the Mets’ future odds right now, it will take a very strong return from him to see any difference. Honestly, I think the return of Jacob deGromm will be a much bigger deal for this team if and when it happens.