The 2021 MLB season is only a few weeks away. The excitement continues to build as our country is gravitating towards the spring and more normal life. The hope is for all MLB teams to allow fans to safely attend games. The upcoming season is going to be exciting for anyone and the average bettor is likely looking at some of the team totals. Team totals are always fun to bet on as they allow a casual fan to watch as root for any team from their own to a random one.

Over Baltimore Orioles – 63.5

The AL East is poised to be one of the toughest divisions in the MLB. The Yankees are poised to compete for the World Series while the Rays and Blue Jays are more than capable of winning the division. This would leave the Orioles as one of the teams that can be pummeled in this division. However, the Orioles are one of the teams that can surprise many and cover this low total. The Orioles looked at times ahead of schedule last season and exceeded expectations. Young players like John Means and Ryan Mountcastle should continue to improve and the Orioles should take a step forward once again. They likely won’t make the playoffs or even finish above .500 but should win more than 63 games this season.

Over Oakland A’s – 86.5

It is easy to forget how consistent and given the Oakland A’s have been in recent years. The A’s are more than a well-built roster with little to no noticeable weaknesses. In a division that has declined in recent years, with the Astros being a lesser version of their dominant years and the Angels, Mariners, and Rangers failing to take that next step. The A’s should not only win the division, they should win more than 86 games this season with this total being a clear Over bet.

Over Washington Nationals – 84.5

The NL East looks to be a tough division with the Braves and Mets poised to finish near the top. The Washington Nationals had everything go wrong for them last season and finished near the bottom of the division. However, it’s easy to forget the Nationals had a quiet offseason.

They brought in Jon Lester, Kyle Schwarber, and Josh Bell. The additions add to a team that already has Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Juan Soto. Take advantage of this low total and bet the Over on the Nationals to win more than 84 games.

Over St. Louis Cardinals – 87.5

The Cardinals have the highest total of any team in the NL Central, surprisingly enough. When it comes to betting on the Cardinals, you have to ask yourself if you see them winning the division. The NL Central looks unpredictable but the Cardinals are the sleeping giant in the National League and MLB, with a great overall roster that only got better in the offseason (adding Arenado, keeping their core together). The Cardinals can not only win the division but potentially have one of the best records in the National League with Nolan Arenado joining an already good lineup.

Over San Francisco Giants – 75.5

The Giants are in a tough position as they will likely get pummeled by the Dodgers and Padres this season, both teams looking poised to compete for the World Series. However, the Giants looked ahead of schedule last season as they were in the hunt for the final wild-card spot the entire season. The Giants are in the middle of a rebuild but the young core, led by Mike Yastremski, is capable of leading this team into a potential playoff spot. The Giants should finish above .500 and as a result, cover the Over on their season total.

Under Chicago White Sox – 90.5

Many people are high on the White Sox this season, going as far as to say they are going to contend for the World Series. Last season they looked like one of the best teams in the American League and they only got better in the offseason. While the inclination is to bet the Over on the White Sox, the brakes have to be pumped a bit. The White Sox have some depth and fielding concerns which can ultimately cost them in a 162 game season. In addition, the AL Central has a few teams that the White Sox can pounce on in the Royals and Tigers, but Cleveland and Minnesota should give them a tough time this season and potentially hand the White Sox plenty of losses. The White Sox should go Under this high total and win fewer than 91 games.

Under Houston Astros – 87.5

It is easy and natural to be cynical towards the Astros. After all, this team is public enemy number one for any baseball fan as they cheated many teams out of World Series Championships with their sign stealing. While the salt is still there for any baseball fan, there is also the urge to bet the Under on the Astros this season. Aside from being a fan, the Astros should also take a step back this season. George Springer left for Toronto and Justin Verlander is going to miss the first few months of the season. In addition, this is one of the least deep Astros teams with one of the worst farm systems in the MLB entering this season. The Astros should take a step back and as a result, finish with fewer than 88 wins.

Under Philadelphia Phillies – 81.5

At this point, the expectation is to be disappointed by the Phillies. Every year, they seem to be the team of the offseason, making a splash singing of some sort, yet always disappoint. The Phillies have a good team on paper but once you dive into their roster, you see how many of their players are simply not as good as perceived. Bryce Harper is the showcase of this plight for Philly with perceived greatness that he adds to the team but ultimately hurts. The Phillies also are going to get pummeled by a tough division that can ultimately have them as far as the last place by the end of the season. The Phillies have a low total but they should still fall Under with fewer than 81 wins.

Under Chicago Cubs – 80.5

The Cubs have a low total of 80.5 and this is the type of line that you should bet the Over on. It’s hard to look at the Cubs and not think of all the talent they lost over the offseason. Kyle Schwarber, Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, all gone. One can argue that adding Joc Pederson helps but the Cubs are a team that has an aging core and might need to sell at the deadline if things don’t work out. The Cubs can surprise everyone as they did last season but this looks more like a rebuilding year for them and as a result, the Under should cover.

Under Colorado Rockies – 63.5

The Rockies have been and continue to be a mess. Trading Nolan Arenado, arguably the best player the franchise had since Todd Helton, for pennies on the dollar is a sign that they are doomed to be historically bad. The Rockies have players that they will likely look to trade at the deadline in Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story and once that happens, this team will start looking to 2022. The Rockies are slated to be the worst team in the NL West and possibly in the MLB. Bet the Under on the Rockies despite the low total.

The odds are via http://BUSR.com/bellyupfantasy and are subject to change.

For more Fantasy and Betting advice, visit Bellyupfantasysports.com and for more MLB and Sports content, visit Bellyupsports.com