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2022 MLB Midseason Bold Predictions

By Hank Blaine

Major League Baseball has just about reached the midseason point. So far, a couple of things have stood out, the most obvious being the New York Yankees posting an unfathomable 49-17 record after 56 games. Will the Yankees continue their torrid pace? What else will happen in the season’s second half? Check out ten bold 2022 MLB predictions heading into Midseason.

Ten Bold 2022 MLB Betting Predictions Heading into Midseason

NYY’s domination continues

Sometimes, a team that does well in the first half ends up folding in the second half. That won’t happen to the New York Yankees. Heading into June 20, the Yankees rank first in runs per game, 5.15, Team ERA, 2.86, and Team WHIP, 1.06. The stats imply the Yankees can beat you at the plate or from the mound, which means New York matches up well with every team in MLB.

Expect the Yankees’ torrid pace to continue. Unless something crazy happens, New York will enter the postseason with the best record in baseball.

Houston’s Justin Verlander wins the AL Cy Young

Astros’ ace Justin Verlander didn’t throw in 2021. Verlander has made up for lost time by posting an 8-3 record, a 2.83 ERA, and a .89 WHIP in 13 starts. As if the comeback isn’t impressive enough, the Astros should end up with the AL’s 2-seed. Verlander isn’t a lock to win the Cy Young. But he’s the best play at the midway point.

The Chicago White Sox win the AL Central

Heading into the last two weeks of June, the White Sox have fallen 5 games behind AL Central leading Minnesota. To say that the White Sox have disappointed is an understatement. But although Chicago has disappointed in the first half, their fans shouldn’t fret. The White Sox remain the most talented team in the Central. So expect a second half surge that leads to an AL Central title.

NYY star Aaron Judge wins the AL MVP

Check out Judge’s stats heading into the Yankees’ June 20 game versus Tampa Bay: .305 batting average, 25 home runs, 50 RBIs, and a 1.036 OPS. Only an injury should keep The Judge from winning the MVP this season.

Toronto, Tampa, and Boston make the MLB Postseason

This year is the first time Major League Baseball will employ a seeding playoff format. Due to the seeding format, where teams with the best records after division winners secure postseason spots, Toronto, Tampa, and Boston will make the postseason even though none of the three will catch the New York Yankees in the AL East.

The San Diego Padres win the NL West

This is one of the bolder predictions. The Los Angeles Dodgers were a +375 chalk before the season started to win the World Series. Things were so rosy in L.A. that manger Dave Roberts guaranteed a World Series victory. The Dodgers might still win the World Series, but they won’t win their division.

San Diego is as good as Los Angeles. The Padres rotation might be better. Almost as important is the fact San Diego plays at Petco park. So the Padres have a huge home stadium edge.

Milwaukee overtakes St. Louis and wins the NL Central

The NL Central should come down to the Brewers and the Cardinals. As of June 19, the two division contenders have the same 38-30 record. In the second half, Milwaukee figures to pull away from St. Louis. Both have very good rotations, but Milwaukee’s is slightly better because Corbin Burnes throws for the Brewers. Milwaukee wins the NL Central.

The ATL catches NYM for the NL East Division

The New York Mets starting rotation is strong. Max Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, and Chris Bassitt are as solid of a starting 3 as there is in baseball. Atlanta’s rotation is as good, if not better, than the Mets’. Kyle Wright, the fourth starter, has a 2.94 ERA, which shows how deep the rotation is. Don’t be surprised when Atlanta overtakes the Mets for the NL East’s top spot.

Padres’ pitcher Joe Musgrove wins the Cy Young

Verlander could lose the Cy Young to a Yankee pitcher like Gerrit Cole or Nestor Cortes. Joe Musgrove won’t lose the Cy Young to anybody. When the Padres place Musgrove on the Covid list on June 18, San Diego’s ace sat on an 8-0 record with a 1.59 ERA and a .92 WHIP. Musgrove won’t languish on the list for long.

Once he returns, he should be as solid as he was before the interruption. So expect Joe Musgrove to win the NL Cy Young.

Cardinals’ star Paul Goldschmidt wins the NL MVP

In the National League, Goldschmidt ranks first in ERA with a .344 average. He’s hit 16 home runs, 3 off home run leader and Mets player Pete Alonso. Goldschmidt has batted in 58 runs, 5 off Alonso. The St. Louis star has a real shot of winning the NL Triple Crown. Even if he doesn’t, but maintains a close distance to Alonso, Paul Goldschmidt will win the NL MVP.

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.