Just the other day, I was meeting with my longtime financial advisor and, as expected, he remains steadfast in the opinion that MLB futures are the safest place to park money in these uncertain times.

He actually recommends a diverse portfolio including college basketball and NFL Draft investments as well, but, today, we are going to keep our focus on baseball.

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(Please note the above sentences are intended to be ridiculous. You should not, under any circumstances, take financial advice from myself or anyone you might encounter via links in my stories. Let’s please bet responsibly, never wagering any sum that you cannot afford to simply light on fire.)

I have a well-established fondness for locking up discretionary funds for months in MLB futures, so let’s review several BetMGM opportunities with serious appeal …

Kyle Schwarber, regular season home run leader, +1100

It should not surprise you to learn that Aaron Judge (+260) and Shohei Ohtani (+500) are the favorites to lead the majors in home runs, but the potential payout for Schwarber is so much more appealing. Also, he has something better than a puncher’s chance to dethrone Judge. Schwarber led the N.L. in homers three seasons ago and he’s averaged 44 bombs over the past three years. He ranks in the 97th percentile or better in pretty much every key power metric, including average exit velocity, max exit velocity, hard-hit rate and bat speed.

Alex Bregman, over 20.5 home runs (-110)

First of all, Bregman has topped this total in each of the past three seasons and pretty much every projection system likes him to do it again in 2025. Secondly, let’s please note that Bregman is outrageously well-suited to Fenway Park, his new home, where he is actually one of the all-time most productive visiting batters. He’s a pull hitter with an exceedingly Green Monster-friendly swing; he routinely ranks among the MLB leaders in flyball rate (45.3% last season). Bregman is definitely clearing 20 homers in a healthy year. He’s a steal at his current Yahoo ADP as well (82.8).

Michael Toglia, over 24.5 home runs (+100)

OK, one final homer-related opportunity, because it feels so overwhelmingly likely. Toglia enters the season as Colorado’s everyday first baseman, coming off a year in which he launched 25 bombs in just 116 games. He’s an exit velo machine who will obviously do his home-hitting in one of the friendliest possible parks. Toglia is a decent candidate for a 30/10 season in terms of power and speed.

Oneil Cruz, over 20.5 stolen bases (-115)

Cruz is simply one of the toolsiest players we have ever seen and his base-stealing upside is hard to miss. He swiped 22 bags in 23 attempts last year, delivering his first (and certainly not last) 20/20 campaign. He’s been one of the fastest players in MLB from the moment he reached Pittsburgh, so it isn’t too difficult to imagine a 30/30 season in his future. I’ve previously made the case for Cruz as a potential 2025 fantasy difference-maker, which of course means I’m plenty interested in his overs.

Juan Soto, regular season runs scored leader, +650

Ohtani is the current category favorite coming off a near-flawless season in which he played 159 games, scored 134 runs, drove in 130 and invented the 50/50 club. It’s worth noting, however, that manager Dave Roberts anticipates more rest days and fewer plate appearances for Ohtani in the year ahead. It kinda seems like Soto should at least be a co-favorite to lead MLB in run scoring. He crossed the plate 128 times last season, he’ll bat just ahead of Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo this year, and he’s a verifiable on-base machine (career .421).

Manny Machado, regular season RBI leader, +2000

This is yet another stat in which we find Judge and Ohtani as the prohibitive favorites, which is not unreasonable. Let’s just remember that Machado remains an outstanding hitter and consistent run producer at the age of 32 — the man has seven seasons with at least 90 RBI on his resume. He’s expected to bat clean-up for San Diego this year, behind Luis Arráez, Fernando Tatís Jr. and Jackson Merrill. It’s exactly the sort of setup that can yield 125-plus RBI.

If we can assume another healthy season for Machado — which seems safe, because he basically always gives us 150 games — then we can expect him to crush his fantasy ADP (31.6) and park himself on the leaderboard in multiple categories.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to win A.L. MVP, +1200

Vlad is a 26-year-old who hits nothing but missiles, heading into his walk year in Toronto and eying a mega-deal. He’s received MVP votes in three different seasons, finishing as high as second back in 2021, the year he challenged for the Triple Crown. If you don’t think he can produce a 120-40-120-.320 season, then you might be new to baseball. He’s another player who only rarely misses games, so the counting stats are always stellar.

Any MVP scenario for Vlad would either involve the Blue Jays making it to the playoffs, or a mid-season trade followed by a Fred McGriff-in-’93-style surge. Both paths seem entirely possible.

Elly De La Cruz to win N.L. MVP, +1800

Yeah, I will concede that this one is asking a lot from both the Cincinnati Reds generally and De La Cruz specifically. We are gonna need the Reds to win a bunch more games than they did last year (77) while Elly simultaneously finds a way to boost his .809 OPS just a bit.

But if Cincinnati challenges for the division flag in 2025 and De La Cruz delivers the 30/70 season of which he is clearly capable … well, that seems like a spicy MVP recipe right there. No one plays the game with more flair, so Elly would surely win a close race via the vibes tiebreaker.

If you’re liking this wager, then you should probably also take Terry Francona as N.L. Manager of the Year at +400.

Tanner Bibee to win A.L. Cy Young, +3500

Bibee is just entering his prime, he has a deep arsenal of high-quality pitches and his team’s bullpen is not in the business of giving up leads. He’s clearly a guy who can deliver 15 wins, 200-plus Ks and a sub-3.00 ERA. In the current era, that’s what a Cy Young contender looks like. Cincinnati’s lineup couldn’t touch him in his last spring start, for what it’s worth.

Spencer Strider to win N.L. Cy Young, +1400

Call me crazy, but I’m thinking the guy who is actually the most dominant starter in the National League has a real shot at the Cy Young award. Maybe I’m just galaxy-braining this thing, though. Dunno. 

It’s also possible that I’m still under the influence of Monday’s phenomenal spring debut:

The obvious argument against Strider winning this award is that his workload is likely to be light in his first season following elbow surgery. That would really be a huge concern for me if literally anyone else was a lock to deliver a huge innings total. Paul Skenes is the heavy fave for this award, but there’s zero reason for the Pirates to push him beyond 160-170 frames if they are once again a non-contending team.

Even if you aren’t buying Strider as the Cy Young winner, you should consider him at +400 for Comeback Player of the Year.

Kings, Cavs without key players for Wednesday’s matchup originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Kings will be without another key starter as they face the best team in the NBA.

Zach LaVine was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center due to personal reasons, per the NBA’s latest injury report.

He joins Kings star center Domantas Sabonis as the players ruled out for Wednesday’s contest. Sabonis suffered a moderate right ankle sprain and will miss at least Sacramento’s next six games before he is re-evaluated next Friday.

LaVine, who was traded to Sacramento as part of the blockbuster deal that sent De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, is averaging 22.7 points on 52.7-percent shooting from the field and 44.1 percent from 3-point range in 18 games with the Kings, along with 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 36.5 minutes.

Kings second-year forward Jake LaRavia, who Sacramento also acquired at the trade deadline, was questionable with an illness but later downgraded to out. The 23-year-old quickly has become a fan favorite in the 916. Through 15 games with the Kings, averaging 5.4 points on 41.1-percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent from downtown, with 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 18.6 minutes off the bench.

For Cleveland (56-12, first in the Eastern Conference), two-time NBA All-Star guard Darius Garland is out due to rest. Garland is averaging 20.9 points on 47.6-percent shooting from the field and 40.7 percent from long-range, with 2.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.5 minutes through 64 games this season.

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Fantasy baseball analyst Dalton Del Don takes the mound to identify which pitchers managers should avoid at their lofty draft prices this season. Click here for even more fades.

Athletics: Luis Severino, SP

The A’s aren’t loaded with players with high ADPs, and the change in venues will be favorable for their hitters. Mason Miller’s new ADP is risky given his injury history, but he also might be the most exciting pitcher in all of baseball right now (and he easily led all relievers in K-BB% last season). Enter Severino, who’s the Athletics’ new ace and highest-drafted SP. He posted a 2.96 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP at home last season but a 5.00 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP when not in the extremely pitcher-friendly Citi Field.

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Severino now will be pitching in a smaller park and in warmer weather with the move to Sacramento (where the A’s will share parks with the Giants’ Triple-A affiliates). There are better late-round fliers for those searching for SP help in deeper leagues.

Baltimore Orioles: Zach Eflin, SP

Eflin has benefitted greatly from pitching at Tropicana Field over the last two years, including posting a 1.94 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP there last season. He recorded a 4.33 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP outside of pitcher-friendly Tampa Bay. Tropicana Field has increased strikeouts by 8% over the last three seasons, while Oriole Park has decreased Ks by 8% over that span. Baltimore is also moving in its left-field fences in 2025, so Eflin will have a full season in a tougher environment.

Gunnar Henderson also carries some risk given his high ADP (9.3), modest SB projections, second-half drop in production and entering the season with an intercostal injury.

Boston Red Sox: Liam Hendriks, RP

Hendriks has struggled this spring while competing to be Boston’s closer. Aroldis Chapman has had control issues, but he’s striking batters out and was a top-10 reliever after the All-Star break last season. Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock are also capable options of securing the Red Sox’s closer’s role. Hendriks’ last productive season was back in 2022, and his previous velocity looks unlikely to return.

Cincinnati Reds: Alexis Díaz, RP

Díaz’s 4.48 SIERA ranked 156th out of 169 qualified relievers last season. He pitches in one of baseball’s most extreme hitter’s parks in Cincinnati, where Díaz recorded a 4.61 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP last year. Díaz’s K% dropped from 31% over 2022-23 down to 22.7% last season, and his abnormally low BABIP (.250) and HR/FB% (8.6) are especially likely to regress while pitching in Great American Smallpark. There are no obvious replacements for the closer’s role, but the Reds signed Taylor Rogers and Scott Barlow during the offseason, when Emilio Pagán also lost 30 pounds, so there are alternatives.

Detroit Tigers: Jason Foley, RP

Foley enters the favorite to close in Detroit after racking up 28 saves last season, but he’s unlikely to keep the job. Foley throws hard, but it’s yet to translate into missing bats; his 18.4 K% ranked 151st out of 169 qualified relievers last year. His 4.09 SIERA ranked 138th. Foley appeared during just one of Detroit’s seven postseason games, and the Tigers handed the superior Tommy Kahnle a $7.75 million contract during the offseason. Fade Foley at draft tables.

Kansas City Royals: Carlos Estévez, RP

Estévez has performed much better since leaving Coors Field, and he enters the season the favorite to close in Kansas City after signing with the Royals during the offseason. But he saw his K% drop last season, when his .229 BABIP was one of the lowest among all relievers. Estévez’s hit rate could massively regress now that he’s pitching in one of baseball’s most favorable hitter’s parks. Kauffman Stadium boosts batting average and walks while also decreasing strikeouts more than any other park. Meanwhile, Lucas Erceg emerged as an elite RP last season, so the Royals have an alternative just waiting for the opportunity.

Miami Marlins: Calvin Faucher, RP

Faucher’s K rate spiked last season, but he owns a career 4.65 ERA as he enters 2025 the leading candidate to close in Miami. THE BAT projects Faucher to post a 4.35 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Jesús Tinoco recorded a 2.03 ERA with a 0.68 WHIP after joining the Marlins last season, while Anthony Bender has shown flashes of dominance while healthy, so Miami has alternatives.

Marlins relievers have all struggled this spring with no one emerging as the clear answer to close, but Faucher doesn’t look like the long-term solution. Miami is projected to win a lowly 62 games, so save opportunities will be scarce as well.

New York Yankees: Max Fried, SP

Fried is a solid pitcher who’s being drafted like a borderline elite one despite now moving to Yankee Stadium. The overall Park Factors appear neutral when comparing Atlanta and New York, but some differences could affect Fried; Yankee Stadium has boosted home runs an AL-high 19% over the last three seasons. Moreover, Yankee Stadium has increased walks an MLB-high 10%, and Fried will be leaving a park in Atlanta that helped bump strikeouts by 9% (the third-most in MLB).

The 31-year-old Fried signed a massive offseason contract to join New York, and fantasy managers are also paying up while drafting him as a near top 20 starter.

Philadelphia Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez, SP

Sánchez was a huge win for fantasy managers last year, but his ADP (mid 170s) has now jumped too high given his modest K rate. Sánchez’s 20.3 K% ranked 45th among 57 qualified starters last season, and his extreme groundball rate will continue to hurt his WHIP. Sánchez is a fine pitcher, but he shouldn’t be going ahead of Robbie Ray and Jared Jones in NFBC leagues, and Nick Pivetta shouldn’t be available later than him in Yahoo leagues.

San Diego Padres: Robert Suárez, RP

Suárez’s K-BB% dropped to 13.0% in August last season and then down to 5.9% in September, when he allowed eight earned runs over 12.0 innings. Suárez enters 2025 as San Diego’s closer, but Jeremiah Estrada was an elite reliever last year, and the Padres added Jason Adam during the offseason. Adam’s 2.12 ERA over the last three seasons ranks sixth-best among 185 relievers, and he has some closing experience. Alarmingly, Suárez’s CSW (23.9%) ranked 163rd out of 169 qualified relievers last season, while Adam’s 32.3% ranked 12th. Suárez’s K% (22.9) ranked outside the top 100 RPs last year, and he has legit arms behind him on San Diego’s depth chart, so don’t expect another 30+ saves.

St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Helsley, RP

Helsley was great in 2024 while posting a 2.04 ERA, but he ran hot closing out games. Helsley’s 49 saves led MLB and set a franchise record; he somehow did so with the Cardinals winning just 83 games, as Helsley posted a save during an unsustainable 59% of St. Louis’ wins. The rebuilding Cardinals are projected to win even fewer games (79) in 2025, and Helsley had never recorded 20 saves or reached 65 innings in the majors before last year. He has a long injury history and averaged 99.6 mph with his fastball last season (fifth-highest among relievers).

Tampa Bay Rays: Pete Fairbanks, RP

Fairbank’s K% plummeted from 37.0% in 2023 down to a career-low 23.8% last season. His SIERA has jumped from 1.09 in 2022 to 2.82 in 2023 to 3.75 last season, when his velocity saw a noticeable dip. Fairbank’s has constantly dealt with different injuries, as last season’s 45.1 innings matched a career high. Fairbanks has barely appeared in games so far this spring, and he remains a trade candidate midseason. The Rays will be moving from a pitcher’s paradise to a park with Yankee Stadium’s exact dimensions but warmer. Moreover, Tampa Bay has multiple alternatives in its bullpen, including Edwin Uceta and Mason Montgomery. Fairbanks is mistakenly being drafted ahead of Kenley Jansen, David Bednar and Jordan Romano in Yahoo leagues.

Two games into the 2025 MLB season, and fan interference is already the hottest topic in the game. While Shohei Ohtani’s home run (perhaps fan-assisted?) might be getting all the attention, Fox cameras captured another interesting exchange during Game 2 of the Tokyo Series on Wednesday.

During the sixth inning, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ fouled a ball into the shallow stands down the third-base line. Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy gave pursuit and reached into the stands to try to make the play. Muncy, however, was robbed by a fan, who casually snagged the ball in his mitt, hid it behind his back and gave a wry smile to Muncy, who was not happy.

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Turns out, the man who made the grab wasn’t just a regular fan. It was former NFL quarterback and USC star Rodney Peete. The longtime passer was in attendance for the Tokyo Series rooting on the Dodgers. That didn’t stop him from stealing a potential out from Muncy, though.

Unlike Ohtani’s home-run ball, Peete’s snag doesn’t qualify as possible fan interference. Because the ball was out of play and Peete did not enter the field of play to make the grab, everything he did was within the rules. Muncy is allowed to be frustrated about that, of course, but Peete did nothing wrong.

Peete had good reason for making the catch. The ball was apparently heading straight for his wife, Holly’s, head, she revealed in an Instagram post.

Holly apologized to Muncy for the play, though it ultimately had no bearing on the game. Happ struck out two pitches later, and the Dodgers went on to win 6-3. The win moved the defending World Series champions to 2-0. With the Tokyo Series complete, both the Cubs and Dodgers will return to the United States to finish spring training before domestic Opening Day, which takes place March 27.

Inside Rodney Peete’s NFL career

Before stealing foul balls away from professional baseball players, Peete spent 15 seasons in the NFL. A sixth-round selection in the 1989 NFL Draft, he played the first five years of his career with the Detroit Lions. Despite being a late-round pick, he worked his way up the depth chart, starting eight games as a rookie.

Peete left the Lions after the 1993 season, briefly joining the Dallas Cowboys for one year before landing with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1995 to 1998. He then bounced around the league, spending time with Washington, Oakland and Carolina. 

Peete mostly served as a backup over the final nine years of his career, though he experienced a resurgence in 2002, when he started 14 games for the Panthers. He went 7-7 as a starter that season, setting career highs with 2,630 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. He spent two more years in Carolina but started just one more game in the NFL after the 2002 season.

While he’s probably not too upset about his NFL career, Peete drew attention for his baseball career. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 30th round of the 1984 MLB Draft but did not sign with the team, instead opting to go to college.

That decision worked out for the best in the end, though Wednesday’s snag gave fans a glimpse of Peete’s slick fielding ability, had he gone down the baseball path so many years ago.