By Cincinnati is off to one of the worst starts of any team in recent MLB history.
In fact, the 6-23 Reds are on pace to win just 34 games, which would be the worst record in the majors since the Philadelphia Athletics went 36-117 in 1916. They lost 20 games in a 21-game stretch before winning three of their last four games heading into Tuesday night’s contest against Milwaukee.
Cincinnati suffered through 99 consecutive innings of losing baseball at one point in the year, failing to take the lead in 11 straight games. Its pitching staff has the worst ERA (6.72) in the MLB and its offense has the third-worst batting average (.211).
The Reds are 12.5 games out of first place in the National League Central, even with the small run of success this week. All of those negatives have not stopped one bettor from wagering on Cincinnati to win the division.
Caesars Sportsbook in Iowa took a $1,000 bet on the Reds to win the NL Central at 750-1 odds, according to VSiN’s Ben Fawkes. The wager would return $750,000 in what would be one of the most impressive wins of all time.
If there’s anything positive for the bettor to point to from a value standpoint, it is a bunch of minor injuries and absences that have hampered the Reds. Veteran first baseman Joey Votto and center fielder Nick Senzel have both been out with COVID-19, while second baseman Jonathan India has been dealing with a hamstring issue. They are all expected to return in the next week, which will give Cincinnati a lift.
Elsewhere in MLB betting news, there have already been some significant changes to the futures market after one month of the season. The New York Mets, who opened at +200 to win the NL East, have jumped to -200.
They were the first team in baseball to reach 20 wins and have yet to lose a series this season. BetMGM has adjusted their World Series price from 11-1 to +800 following the hot start.
The crosstown Yankees have made the same move in the World Series market and have gone from +230 to -105 to win the AL East. They have won 16 of their last 18 games and have the best winning percentage in the majors.
One long shot that is off to a hot start is Minnesota, which leads the AL Central with an 18-11 record. The Twins have gone from +500 to +115 in the division, with their World Series odds changing from 50-1 to 30-1.
Every team is still looking up to the Dodgers at the top of the market, though. Los Angeles is the +450 ‘chalk’ after opening at +500 going into the season.
Reigning World Series champion Atlanta is two games under .500 through its first 30 games, moving from +120 to +260 to win the NL East. The Braves have seen their title odds shift from 12-1 to 14-1.
