2025 MLB Column: The Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals Trade Drama and Betting Analysis

The Nolan Arenado Situation: Will He Stay or Go?

As of this moment, Arenado remains a member of the Cardinals, but the expectation is that he won’t be for long. There’s a growing belief that St. Louis will move the All-Star third baseman before Opening Day. The reason? The Cardinals cannot afford to risk an injury that would tank his trade value.

Arenado has reportedly limited his desired trade destinations to five teams, with Houston being the most aggressive suitor. If a deal doesn’t happen now, it could come later when a contending team suffers an injury and desperately needs a third baseman. Given the Cardinals’ rough offseason, keeping Arenado past spring training might be another misstep in what has already been a questionable few months for the franchise.

Betting Market: Will Arenado Hit 20+ Home Runs in 2025?

Buy or Sell: Over 20 Home Runs for Arenado?

• Sell: Some analysts argue that uncertainty around his landing spot makes this a risky bet. He hit only 16 home runs last season, and moving to a pitcher-friendly park could suppress his power numbers even further.
• Buy: Others see a bounce-back year ahead. If Arenado lands in Houston with the Astros, a strong offensive environment could propel him back to the 23-24 home run range.

Verdict? If you’re risk-averse, sell. If you believe in Arenado’s track record, buying at the right odds could provide value.

Betting Market: Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds MVP Hopes

Buy or Sell: Elly De La Cruz Will Receive First-Place MVP Votes?

• Buy: He only needs one first-place vote to cash this bet. If the Reds make the playoffs, De La Cruz will likely have a monster season, boosting his MVP candidacy. The stolen bases and home run numbers will be there, making him a dark horse in the race.
• Sell: Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Juan Soto of the New York Mets, and Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies are established superstars likely to dominate voting. De La Cruz would need an absolutely insane year to break through.

Since only one vote is required, this bet has value—especially at favorable odds.

The Chicago White Sox: A Historic Collapse?

Buy or Sell: White Sox Will Lose 99 or Fewer Games?

• Sell: The White Sox are in full tank mode. They’re bad and they know it. Some analysts predict a 110-120 loss season. Betting on them to lose over 100 games seems like a near lock.
• Buy: If you believe in surprise improvement from young talent, the under-99.5 loss bet might be worth a flyer.

For now, though, the expectation is that this team is headed straight to the bottom of the standings.

Final Betting Takeaways

• Arenado’s HR total: If he lands in Houston, 20+ home runs is possible. If he stays in St. Louis or moves to a tougher ballpark, it’s a risky bet.
• De La Cruz MVP votes: One vote is all you need. The bet holds value if Cincinnati is competitive.
• White Sox collapse: Expect a brutal season. Betting on 100+ losses looks like free money.

With Opening Day approaching, these storylines and wagers will be fascinating to track. One thing is certain—there’s no shortage of drama in the MLB betting world.

You can read all about what’s going on in the National Football League at SportsGrid.com.

2025 MLB Column: Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers Cy Young Quest and Strikeout Total

A Historic Season in the Making?

Skubal is quickly etching his name into Detroit Tigers history, joining the ranks of legendary pitchers like Justin Verlander and Denny McLain. While McLain’s 30-win season feels like a relic from another baseball era, Skubal’s dominance in 2024 was a clear sign that he is the ace of the future.

Now, as the 2025 season approaches, one of the biggest questions surrounding Skubal is whether he can rack up 210 or more strikeouts on his way to potentially securing the AL Cy Young Award. Let’s break down the case.

Betting Market: Will Skubal Strike Out 210+ Batters?

Buy or Sell: Over 210 Strikeouts for Skubal?

• Buy: Skubal was arguably the best pitcher in baseball last season, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t continue that trajectory. He has elite swing-and-miss stuff, and the Tigers will rely on him heavily due to their offensive inconsistencies. If he stays healthy and logs 30+ starts, hitting 210 strikeouts is well within reach.
• Sell: The biggest risk here is injury. If Skubal misses time or the Tigers limit his innings, he could fall short. Additionally, if Detroit takes a cautious approach to his workload, late-season rest could impact his total.

The math checks out—if Skubal makes 30 starts, he needs to average just over 7 strikeouts per start to surpass 210. Given his track record, that’s very attainable. The only scenario where he doesn’t reach this mark is if he gets hurt or if Detroit unexpectedly restricts his innings.

The AL Cy Young Race: Is Skubal the Favorite?

If Skubal builds on his 2024 success, he could be Detroit’s next Cy Young winner. The American League has plenty of competition, but his dominance last season suggests he belongs at the top of the conversation.

• Strengths: Skubal has a high strikeout rate, excellent command, and the ability to pitch deep into games—traits that voters love.
• Concerns: Detroit may not provide enough run support to boost his win total, which could impact his Cy Young candidacy in traditional voters’ eyes.

Final Betting Takeaways

• Over 210 strikeouts: This is a strong bet, assuming health. Skubal’s role as Detroit’s workhorse should get him there.
• Cy Young futures: If you’re looking for value, Skubal is a legitimate contender for the AL Cy Young Award. Betting him early before his odds shorten could be a smart play.

With Opening Day approaching, all eyes are on Skubal. If he stays healthy, expect another dominant season—and plenty of strikeouts.

You can read all about what’s going on in Major League Baseball at SportsGrid.com.

2025 MLB Column: Cleveland Guardians’ Season Outlook and Betting Predictions

Cleveland’s Annual Overachievement – Can It Happen Again?

The Guardians seem to find a way to overachieve every season, much like the Milwaukee Brewers. They’re never a high-payroll team, yet they consistently get surprising offensive contributions from lesser-known players. The question in 2025 is: Who will be that breakout player?

Kyle Manzardo is an intriguing candidate, expected to bat second ahead of Jose Ramirez. Steven Kwan is a reliable batting average machine, and the return of Carlos Santana adds a veteran presence. Lane Thomas, known for his streaky power, is another wildcard. Meanwhile, Cleveland is taking a chance on young infielder Brayan Rocchio after moving on from Andrés Giménez, signaling their belief in his potential.

But with a lineup that lacks depth beyond a few core players, the Guardians will need at least one unexpected breakout star to keep their offense competitive.

Betting Market: Will Cleveland’s Offense Surprise in 2025?

Buy or Sell: Cleveland Will Have a Top 15 Offense?

• Sell: The lineup isn’t deep enough. Outside of Jose Ramirez, few hitters inspire confidence, and a weak back half of the order could drag down their overall production.
• Buy: If Manzardo or Rocchio emerges, and Thomas delivers 25+ home runs, Cleveland could exceed expectations, especially in a weaker AL Central.

Pitching Uncertainty – Enough to Contend?

Cleveland’s pitching has been its calling card for years, but this year’s rotation is full of question marks. Last season, fantasy hype surrounded Gavin Williams, yet he struggled through injuries and inconsistency. Tanner Bibee now leads the staff, while Ben Lively was a surprising success in 2024. Luis Ortiz, Tristan McKenzie, and Logan Allen round out a rotation that lacks a true ace.

The bullpen, on the other hand, remains elite. Emmanuel Clase leads a strong relief corps, but how much can they shoulder if the rotation struggles to provide length?

Betting Market: Can Cleveland’s Rotation Hold Up?

Buy or Sell: Cleveland’s Starters Will Average 5+ Innings per Start?

• Sell: Too many question marks. Bibee is solid, but Williams, McKenzie, and Allen have durability concerns. The bullpen could be taxed all season.
• Buy: If Williams rebounds and McKenzie rediscovers his form from 2022, this group could outperform expectations.

Playoff Hopes – Is This the Year the Guardians Take a Step Back?

Cleveland and the Minnesota Twins have controlled the AL Central in recent years, but the division could be shifting. The Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers are on the rise, and Cleveland may struggle to keep up. While they likely won’t be terrible, they could find themselves around 80 wins, potentially leading to a sell-off at the trade deadline.

Buy or Sell: Cleveland Makes the Playoffs?

• Sell: Too many holes in the rotation, an offense that lacks star power beyond Ramirez, and an improving division make the road to October difficult.
• Buy: If everything breaks right—Bibee becomes an ace, the bullpen dominates, and Manzardo or Rocchio emerges—Cleveland could sneak into a Wild Card spot.

Final Betting Takeaways

• Cleveland’s offense: Unlikely to be a top 15 unit unless multiple hitters break out.
• Starting rotation durability: Uncertainty could lead to heavy bullpen reliance.
• Playoff hopes: The Guardians are likely a fringe contender, but an 80-win season seems more realistic than a serious division title run.

The Guardians will once again rely on their knack for surprises. But with a shaky rotation and limited offensive firepower, this might be the year the overachievement stops.

You can read all about what’s going on in Major League Baseball at SportsGrid.com.

2025 MLB Column: Chicago White Sox Season Outlook and Betting Analysis

The White Sox Rebuild: A Year to Forget?

The Sox enter 2025 as one of the worst teams in baseball, and it’s by design. Their teardown is in full effect, and this roster is built to lose now in hopes of winning later. They have moved on from key players, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Vaughn traded before the deadline.

From a fantasy perspective, the White Sox are nearly barren. In a 12-team fantasy league, Robert is the only surefire draft pick. Vaughn and Colson Montgomery might sneak onto rosters, but beyond that, Chicago offers little value outside of late-round fliers.

Betting Market: How Many White Sox Players Are Worth Drafting?

Buy or Sell: More than Three White Sox Hitters Will Be Drafted in 12-Team Fantasy Leagues?

• Sell: Robert is the only must-draft player. Vaughn might get picked late, and Montgomery is a stash candidate. After that? It’s bleak.
• Buy: If someone like Miguel Vargas or Lane Thomas starts hot, they could become waiver-wire pickups, but drafting them is a reach.

A Pitching Staff You Should Avoid

The rotation is a disaster. Jonathan Cannon might get the Opening Day nod, but Martín Pérez will likely throw the most innings. The rest? A mix of Davis Martin, Sean Burke and Bryce Wilson. None of these pitchers should be rostered in standard fantasy leagues.

Even the closer situation is unclear. The team has Mike Clevinger and James Karinchak, both of whom could take on the role, but whoever earns the job won’t last the season—because any competent reliever will be traded by August.

Betting Market: White Sox Saves Leader

Buy or Sell: The White Sox Saves Leader Will Finish with Over 12.5 Saves?

• Sell: Chicago will be lucky to win 60 games, meaning 30-35 total saves. Any reliever who racks up 10+ saves will be traded.
• Buy: If one pitcher locks down the job early and holds it through July, they could sneak past this number—but don’t count on it.

The Path Forward: Losing to Win

The White Sox have a plan: bottom out, accumulate high draft picks, and rebuild. They’ve done it before, but execution is key. Right now, the team lacks impact prospects, making this a longer-term project.

If you’re a White Sox fan, the message is clear: 2025 is not your year. But in a weak AL Central, a well-executed rebuild could put Chicago back in contention by 2027.

Final Betting Takeaways

• Avoid White Sox players in fantasy outside of Robert Jr.
• No starting pitchers are worth drafting.
• Saves leader under 12.5 is a strong bet due to likely midseason trades.
• 60-win season likely, making them a top contender for the No. 1 draft pick.

It’s going to be a long year for White Sox fans, but in baseball, sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before climbing back to the top.