Washington Nationals Odds
| Divisional Odds | +4000 |
| Pennant Odds | +7500 |
| World Series Odds | +15000 |
| Regular Season Wins | 69.5 |
| To Make Playoffs | Yes +920 / No -2000 |
Odds via FanDuel
Washington Nationals Betting Preview
Sean Zerillo: Let’s start in the NL, where Juan Soto is a prohibitive favorite, matched only by Mike Trout (0.27 WAR per 25 PA). and Fernando Tatis Jr. (0.26) among all MVP players in terms of average production.
Before the 2021 season, I said I would “continue to bet [Soto] every season until he takes home the hardware.” However, I had incorrectly assumed that we would continue to get +500 or better on Childish Bambino if he hadn’t won an MVP yet.
At his current price point (high of +360 at FanDuel), you’re betting on whether Soto will stay healthy for an entire season. I would rather wait and see Soto gets off to a slow start — as he did in 2021 — and look to back him during the season at a better price.
If memory serves, Soto climbed as high as +10000 last year before surging for the final two months and re-entering the discussion.
If you’re willing to bet against Soto, Trea Turner (+1800 at FanDuel) might be the best value play. Turner led the NL in WAR in 2021. However, he ranked eighth in OPS (.911), while Bryce Harper paced the NL (1.044).
Turner comes with several red flags, however. The relative lack of power when comparing up-the-middle players to corners harms their argument in the MVP race.
Turner projects outside the Top 10 in OPS ranking (14th), and he might also have to compete with several teammates (Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Justin Turner) for votes.
Projected Opening Day Roster
Courtesy of FanGraphs
Starting pitchers: Patrick Corbin, Josiah Gray, Anibal Sanchez, Erick Fedde, Joan Adon
Bullpen: Kyle Finnegan, Tanner Rainey, Steve Cishek, Sean Doolittle, Andres Machado, Patrick Murphy, Mason Thompson, Victor Arano, Paolo Espino, Austin Voth
Catchers: Keibert Ruiz, Riley Adams
Infielders: Cesar Hernandez, Nelson Cruz, Josh Bell, Alcides Escobar, Maikel Franco, Lucius Fox, Dee Strange-Gordon
Outfielders: Juan Soto, Lane Thomas, Victor Robles, Yadiel Hernandez
