The 2023 Cleveland Guardians season odds seem to favor them to win the American League Central division, a reversal from last year when the Chicago White Sox were the popular pick coming off of consecutive playoff appearances.
But the Guardians, who are at +135 to win the division, have loaded up in hopes of winning consecutive division titles for the first time since they won three straight from 2016 to 2018.
They will have a favorable MLB schedule to do it, but so will the top challengers in the White Sox (+200) and Minnesota Twins (+225) because they all get to beat up on the Detroit Tigers (+2000) and Kansas City Royals (+3000).
Part of it is who can keep the cleanest MLB injury report, and that is partly why the Guardians won with relative ease – they pulled away late to win by 11.0 games – is that the White Sox had injuries mount up over time. But they won the games when they mattered and were able to balloon the lead even more.
There is plenty to like about the Guardians, as evident by the 2023 Cleveland Guardians season odds, so here is an overview of last season, how the roster changed, and what future MLB picks may be available for Cleveland.
Year In Review
Cleveland Guardians team stats show they were slightly above the league average of 4.28 runs per game by scoring 4.31 runs per game. But the offense was good enough at times despite hitting the second-fewest home runs (127). Their power just came in a different way as they tied for third in triples and were 11th in doubles.
The Guardians are one of a few MLB teams ahead of the game as far as the new rules go. They were third in stolen bases with 119 and were only caught 27 times. Some analysts believe there will be a heavier focus on stealing, with the base paths shorter due to bigger bases and the ban on the shift allowing for more base hits.
The pitching staff was excellent, too. The Guardians ranked eighth in allowing 3.91 runs per game. Their 3.46 ERA was tied for fifth, though some regression was expected with a 3.75 Fielding Independent Pitching.
The Guardians were good enough to finish atop the MLB standings with a 92-70 record and advance to the American League Division Series, where they lost in five games to the New York Yankees.
Key Returnees
The Guardians return seven of their everyday starters from the lineup. That includes middle infielders Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario, outfielders of Steven Kwan, Myles Straw, and Oscar Gonzalez, and slugger Josh Naylor.
Star hitter Jose Ramirez is also back after signing a long-term extension to stay in Cleveland last year. He has finished top 6 in Most Valuable Player Voting in each of the last three seasons. He was excellent last season as MLB player stats show he hit .280 with a .869 OPS, 29 home runs, 126 RBIs, and 90 runs scored, and he led the league with 44 doubles and 20 intentional walks.
Those figures both show how dominant he was as a hitter and the respect opposing teams have for him. It also shows that the lack of power around him may also take the bat out of his hands more, but the Guardians seemingly have addressed that.
The pitching staff remains intact, too, with ace Shane Bieber back after finishing seventh in Cy Young voting. People forget that Bieber was 25 years old when he won the Cy Young during the COVID-19-shortened season.
He is joined in the rotation by Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, Cal Quantrill, and Triston McKenzie, with Cody Morris as a spot starter. The bullpen returns lockdown closer Emmanuel Clase, setup man James Karinchak and several other key arms.
Key Arrivals
Josh Bell is a reason for Cleveland Guardians picks to be popular this spring. The switch-hitting first baseman gives a big target defensively and brings more pop to a lineup that desperately needs it.
Bell, who is 30 years old, joins his fourth team after being a second-round pick in the 2011 MLB amateur draft. He has 130 career home runs in 852 games, including 17 in 156 games last season between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres. His bat should give Ramirez some protection.
The other offensive addition was catcher Mike Zunino, who figures to take the starting duties as several young catchers are being considered to back him up.
Zunino also has some pop in his bat, with 146 home runs in 850 games. He only hit five home runs in 36 games last season but is only two seasons removed from hitting 33 in 109 games. He has four seasons of 20 or more home runs in his 10-year career.
Projecting Futures
The Guardians are going to win plenty of MLB games this season and may have some work to do at the trade deadline to shore up some depth concerns that are out there. But they are still highly regarded among pundits making preseason picks.
And those who made the 2023 Cleveland Guardians season odds seem to think that they are the team to beat in the American League Central. Future odds show the Guardians are +1100 to win the American League, which is the fifth best odds behind the Houston Astros (+300), New York Yankees (+325), Toronto Blue Jays, and the Seattle Mariners each at +700.
The Top Contenders for the World Series Title According to the Odds
The World Series odds get even thinner, but they still have the 10th-best odds at +2200. That is tied with the St. Louis Cardinals, who are always a threat to play for a World Series. Joining those five teams ahead of them are the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Philadelphia Phillies.
Player props are hard to come by, but one has to figure that Ramirez is going to be among the American League Most Valuable Player favorites. He is the engine that makes the Guardians’ offense go. He will likely have stiff competition from last year’s winner, Aaron Judge, and a pair of Los Angeles Angels in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.
Similarly, Bieber should be among the favorites for the American League Cy Young award. His likely top competitors are New York Yankees’ Gerrit Cole, new Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom, and Tampa Bay Rays southpaw Shane McClanahan.
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