Rob Manfred Announces MLB Will Cancel Games, Dodgers Remain Favorites in World Series Odds

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks to the assembled media in Jupiter, Florida after announcing the league would cancel games with no deal reached.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks to the assembled media in Jupiter, Florida after announcing the league would cancel games with no deal reached. /
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There will not be a 162-game season in 2022 in Major League Baseball. Officially.

The league made it official Monday afternoon when commissioner Rob Manfred announced that after no deal was reached between the owners (who initiated the lockout in the first place) and the MLB Players Association that games will be knocked off the season calendar; notably the first two series of the season.

Because there is interleague play every day of the 162-game season, Manfred reiterated that there is no way to make up any lost games since those teams will not play each other again. Consequently, that means that players would not be paid for those missed games.

Could a deal still be done without further damage? The answer, of course, is yes, but time is of the essence. Manfred indicated in his presser that the earlier a deal could be reached is a week from today, Monday, March 8, which could still potentially offer up an opportunity to have a Spring Training, albeit a shortened one.

The fans, who get the short end of the stick amongst all parties, will have to continue to wait as both parties continue negotiations.

MLB Lockout Impacts Major League Baseball Odds

Right now over at WynnBET Sportsbook, the Los Angeles Dodgers still remain the favorites to win the World Series at +550 odds. The Houston Astros (+700) and San Diego Padres (+800) are behind them; followed by both New York squads. The Yankees are +900 to win the Fall Classic with the Mets coming in at +1000. The defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves are +1100 with the Boston Red Sox at +1200.

Other futures that remain on the board at WynnBET include the American and National League Cy Young. Gerrit Cole of the Yankees remains the overwhelming favorite at +400 odds in the AL, followed by Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale and Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber at +800.

In the NL, Jacob deGrom leads the way for the New York Mets at +300. Corbin Burnes and Max Scherzer both are second at odds of +550.