MLB best bets: Deadline trades fuel division futures

The MLB trade deadline has come and gone, and we now have a clearer picture of the contenders and pretenders around the league. The New York Mets, after practicing their championship celebration in spring training, gave up on their World Series dreams by dealing Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander to the AL West. The division-leading Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles stayed relatively quiet, and the Los Angeles Angels went all in with Shohei Ohtani's impending free agency looming.

So, what does it all mean? With upgraded (and downgraded) rosters now in place, let's look at three futures we have our eye on following the deadline. 

3 futures to target following the MLB trade deadline

Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander boost AL West race

The AL West race was already the most intriguing battle in MLB, but it jumped up another notch when the Mets traded Scherzer to the Rangers and Verlander back to the Astros. The Rangers (61-46) are currently 0.5 games up on the Astros (61-47) for the AL West lead, but Texas is a +130 underdog to win the division. Well, we think that's an incorrect price.

The Rangers have the best run differential (+147) in the AL this season. They also rank No. 1 in MLB in hits (1,010), runs scored (611), and batting average (.271). Now with Scherzer heading the rotation, we believe Texas is the best team in the AL, and we'll gladly take the plus-money price to win the division.

The best to make: Rangers to win the AL West (+130 DraftKings)

Cincinnati calls in the punt team

The Reds were in a great position to push for an NL Central title at the deadline, but they decided not to jeopardize their future for 2023. Cincinnati refused to upgrade its struggling starting rotation. Instead, they traded for 31-year-old reliever Sam Moll and left the rest of the roster intact.

A few hours later, Cincinnati gave up 20 runs to the Chicago Cubs in a fitting performance that paints a picture of what the home stretch might bring. The Brewers are still a better all-around team than the Reds after the deadline, and they should have no problem making up their 0.5-game deficit in the division.

The bet to make: Brewers to win the NL Central (+105 FanDuel)

Orioles open the door for the Rays

The Orioles were in a similar position to the Reds leading up to the trade deadline. Baltimore currently holds a 1.5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East, but they entered the week in need of an upgrade to the starting rotation.

The Orioles attempted to do just that by trading for Jack Flaherty, but one move wasn't enough to give them a decisive advantage over the Rays down the stretch. We'll roll with the veteran team that's been there before to win out in the end.

The bet to make: Rays to win the AL East (+110 DK)

In the news ...

Astros' Framber Valdez throws MLB's third no-hitter of 2023 — Just a few hours after the Astros brought back Verlander, Valdez took the mound and threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Guardians. The no-no marked the third in MLB this season and the 16th in Astros history. Valdez struck out seven and walked just one batter Tuesday night, and he needed only 93 pitches to accomplish the feat. The left-hander is now +550 to win the AL Cy Young Award. 

Cooper Kupp injures hamstring at practice, out 'a few weeks' — Kupp was enjoying a great start to training camp after missing the final eight games of the 2022 season with a high ankle sprain. That came to a screeching halt Tuesday night when the star wide receiver left practice early due to a hamstring injury. Kupp underwent an MRI afterward, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the 30-year-old could return "for scrimmages in a few weeks." The Los Angeles Rams WR is still +3000 to win Comeback Player of the Year.

Tiger Woods joins PGA Tour's policy board — PGA Tour players are fed up with commissioner Jay Monahan's lack of transparency, especially regarding the merger with LIV Golf. So, Monahan is making an effort to win their trust back by bringing Woods on as the sixth player director on the Tour's policy board. Tiger's mission will be to help the PGA Tour return to the player-driven league it once was.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Jack Dougherty