Peter Lewis
The 2022 Major League Baseball season has been rocking for a little less than a month thus far and several teams have emerged as serious contenders. While we’ve already hit you with our World Series picks, it’s time to go with the MLB division winners for the 2022 campaign. As you might have been able to guess, this includes the Houston Astros winning the AL West.
Houston is the favorite to win the American League West again
To no one’s surprise, Houston is the favorite to win the American League West again, as this team has once again looked sharp. While the Seattle Mariners currently are in first place of the division, Seattle hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2001. Unfortunately for M’s fans, the team is known for blowing it sooner than later. This is good news for Houston.
The Astros not only hold the No. 1 AL West odds, but they’re certainly going to be in the World Series betting conversation throughout the campaign as well. With stars like Justin Verlander, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and more, Houston is one of the top teams in the AL. No, better yet, they are one of the best teams in the game, period. It’d be a surprise if the Astros didn’t win the division.
| AL West odds |  |  |  |  |
| Astros to win | -175 | -175 | -175 | -175 |
| Mariners to win | +320 | +320 | +320 | +320 |
| Angels to win | +430 | +430 | +430 | +430 |
| Rangers to win | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
Per the best rated sportsbooks, Houston currently holds -175 MLB odds to win the AL West. Behind them, the Los Angeles Angels are at +320, while the Mariners are at +420. The Angels are going to be a threat too, as Mike Trout is one of the best players of his generation. Whenever a player of his caliber is in the lineup, it’s going to provide problems for pitching staffs.
Houston is known for being a clutch team and we don’t think that’s going to be changing in 2022. The Astros have plenty of star power all over the field. With this, it’s going to be tough for anyone to try and bring them down. With this said, we’re going with the Astros as our pick to win the AL West. It’s going to be tough for anyone to bring them down.
With this jersey, we remind the world…
This is Mission Control.
This is Houston.
This is #SpaceCity. pic.twitter.com/J8ijYCWJJj— Houston Astros (@astros) April 10, 2022
Mets are slight favorites over the Braves in the NL East
Over in the National League, the Mets are slight favorites over the Braves in the NL East. These two teams are expected to battle it out the rest of the way for the title, as it’s one of the best rivalries in the National League too. This is only going to make things even more interesting once the fall rolls around. Which team will be able to come away with the glory?
For the Braves, this team won the World Series last year, stunning the baseball world. No one saw this coming, as they were able to beat the Astros for the Fall Classic win. It’s a bit of a different feel for the Braves this year, though, as Freddie Freeman is long gone and Matt Olson is the new first baseman. As fans know by now, Freeman signed his mega-deal with the LA Dodgers.
Meanwhile for the Mets, the addition of Max Scherzer for the rotation is something fans are still talking about. Scherzer himself is one of the best pitchers in the game and his arrival to Flushing has been key with Jacob deGrom injured. When it was announced that deGrom would be shut down for a month, fans couldn’t believe it.
The good news, though, is that the Mets are optimistic about deGrom’s health. The hope is that he can get back on the bump and remain healthy. If that’s the case, it will be huge for New York in trying to win the NL East. We think deGrom will return stronger. Because of this, we’re going with the Mets to hold off Atlanta and win the division.
NY #Mets co-ace Jacob deGrom will have an MRI on Monday to evaluate his progress after undergoing a CT scan Friday with manager Buck Showalter saying there are no red flags so far.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 24, 2022
The Dodgers are a lock to win the NL West
Last but not least, the Dodgers are a lock to win the NL West this year. This isn’t news to anyone, as the Dodgers also hold the No. 1 World Series odds out there. Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman… the list goes on and on of the incredible amount of talent that manager Dave Roberts has at his disposal.
Per the oddsmakers, the Dodgers hold -230 odds to win the NL West, while the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are listed at +450. This tells you just how dominant the Dodgers are expected to be the rest of the way. Whether on offence or defence, they’re going to be superior to their opposition whenever they take the field.
Both the Padres and Giants have plenty of talent as well, but we just don’t see any possible way that the Dodgers don’t win the division. Matter of fact, our pick to win the World Series is also the Dodgers. That’s how good they are. So, if you’re looking to make a bet on the MLB for the NL West winner, don’t think twice about the Dodgers. Nothing should come in their way of winning the division.
