Why not? is a feature on The Touchback exploring bets with longer odds that could plausibly happen. This doesn’t mean these wagers are locks. They are simply ones where you can justify the risk. Today, we look at why you should bet on the Baltimore Orioles to make the playoffs at +1200.
Baseball is a funny old game. It’s a sport where the best team rarely wins the World Series. And despite a reliance on analytics, far too often the unpredictable occurs, such as the Seattle Mariners improbable run in 2021. And that is why we placed a bet on the Baltimore Orioles to make the playoffs at +1200 (Odds via Fanduel Sportsbook).
There is nothing in the numbers that leads you to believe the hapless O’s will qualify for the postseason after years in the MLB cellar. Then again, the Atlanta Braves went on to win it all last season even though most people thought they were DOA in June. Sometimes the best baseball wagers are the ones that don’t make sense on the surface.
In some ways, Baltimore controls its destiny with an almost comical number of games remaining against the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays. Win those matchups and they will have a chance. Apart from that, they play the Houston Astros and New York Yankees 12 times. The rest of the schedule is very winnable.
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What makes this wager so appealing is the odds. You can bet on the Baltimore Orioles to make the playoffs at +1200. That is great value considering the Chicago White Sox have an identical 46-46 record with a worse run differential and sit at -142 to qualify for the postseason.
Of course, a lot of that is tied into the fact they still have a chance to win the AL Central. The Southsiders sit only three games out of first in the division and 3.5 back for the final AL Wild Card. Oddsmakers do seem to be ignoring just how underwhelming Tony LaRussa and company have been playing all season.
On the other hand, Baltimore is playing hard even if their roster is limited. They aren’t going down without a fight. So, while the only way for them to get in is via the Wild Card, the odds make this worth a punt. Look, I don’t believe the Orioles are heading to the playoffs this season. But at +1200, why not bet on the improbable happening?
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