The trade deadline has come and gone, and now is the time to hunt for postseason value. One team stands out, even after a quiet deadline. Their path is manageable, and the price is still right.
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Teams to Make the Playoffs – August 4
Can the Guardians make a push for October?
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With the trade deadline in the rearview, it is time to identify a team with real value to make a postseason push. When I first looked at the odds for teams to make the playoffs, this prop was sitting at 5/1. It has since dropped slightly on some books, but not at BetOnline. I am still confident this team can make a run, even though they did not make much of a splash at the deadline.
Soft Stretch Ahead
Let us talk about the Guardians’ remaining schedule, as they have the tenth easiest slate left in all of baseball. They still have six games against the Chicago White Sox, three against the Atlanta Braves, three against the Arizona Diamondbacks, four against the Minnesota Twins, three against the Miami Marlins, and seven against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Almost every one of those teams sold at the deadline. Three of those seven games against the Rays will be played at home. The Rays have struggled away from Steinbrenner Field. Any win against the Rays also helps my under 86.5 wins ticket on them. Minnesota shipped off half their roster this past week. Some will argue the White Sox and Marlins are two of the scariest teams in baseball right now—and they are—but only as long as this momentum holds. Once that juju fades, I believe they return to being who we thought they were: bad.
Yes, the Guardians have some of their top arms tangled up in a gambling investigation, but I would argue they are better off without Luis Ortiz, who was someone I actively looked to fade when he pitched.
They sit just three games out of a Wild Card spot, and I think this is still a strong price for a fringe playoff team. They are still led by one of the best players in baseball, Jose Ramirez. When this team is locked in, they can be dangerous.
Best Bet: Guardians to Make the Playoffs (+500) odds via BetOnline
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