Thursday’s news about Max Scherzer and Trea Turner was quite disheartening for anyone in possession of a 2021 Washington Nationals futures betting ticket.
Indeed, it is truly unfortunate that the Nats decided to trade away two of their most valuable players to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, if you also have a futures bet depending on the outcome of this year’s Nationals team, the blockbuster trade becomes even more disheartening.
Of course, Washington can expect a generous reward in return for trading two of its top and most successful players, pending their medical examinations, of course.
However, the majority of that talent is still not prepared for the Major League level. Consequently, the Nationals are now confronted with slim chances of reaching the postseason this year.
A team without Max Scherzer and Trea Turner
The Nationals secured their ninth victory in 11 games on June 30, bringing their season record to 40-38. Despite being behind the NL East leaders by a significant margin of 8.5 games at one stage, Washington managed to narrow the gap to a mere two games.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse. The Nationals have only managed to win seven out of their last seventeen games since July 1. With the MLB Trade Deadline approaching on Thursday, it became clear that Washington was more inclined to sell rather than buy.
Scherzer, boasting an impressive 8-4 record and a 2.76 ERA, and Turner, with an outstanding .322 batting average, 18 home runs, and 49 RBIs, were both recognized as All-Stars this season. Now, the duo is set to embark on a journey to the west. In return, the Nationals are acquiring a multitude of talented prospects.
- The top prospect in Los Angeles, C Keibert Ruiz.
- RHP Josiah Gray
- RHP Gerardo Carrillo
- OF Donovan Casey
In addition to Scherzer and Turner, the Nationals made other trades. Among them was the departure of Kyle Schwarber, a seasoned left fielder with a batting average of .253, 25 home runs, and 53 RBIs. He was sent to the Boston Red Sox in return for pitching prospect Aldo Ramirez. Furthermore, both RHP Daniel Hudson and LHP Brad Hand were traded to different teams in exchange for promising prospects.
The arrival of highly-talented prospects is expected to have a positive impact on future Nationals seasons. However, what can be said about the prospects for the year 2021?
MLB futures for 2021 Nationals
If you already have a 2021 Nationals futures betting slip, this week’s fire sale is truly disheartening.
If you remain optimistic about the 2021 Nationals, there are possible substantial rewards in store. Make sure to explore different options, particularly as the MLB Trade Deadline compels oddsmakers to consistently revise the odds.
On Thursday, the Nationals had odds of 500-1 (+50000) to win the 2021 World Series in the Nationals futures market at BetMGM in Virginia. However, it is recommended to check other sportsbooks in Virginia as they offered a lower payoff of only +6600.
The Nationals’ preseason expectations were far from a 500-1 payoff. Prior to Opening Day, most sportsbooks had them listed at around +3500 (or, 35-1) odds to win the MLB season championship.
As Thursday arrived, the Nationals found themselves holding a record of 47-55, occupying the fourth spot, and trailing 7.5 games behind.
Is it possible for a depleted roster to stage a massive second-half rally with odds better than 500-1? If it is, then maybe you should consider placing a small wager on that futures bet.
However, considering the team’s drastic shift towards rebuilding and letting go of key players, the chances of them winning another World Series title like they did in 2019 are extremely slim.
LA Dodgers’ World Series odds shorten
Conversely, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were already considered a top contender for the World Series, witnessed their odds decrease even more.
After acquiring Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and Turner, a speedster, LA’s odds to win the last game of the season dropped to +375 at DraftKings Sportsbook and BetRivers.
Moreover, if you continue to hold positive thoughts for Scherzer and Turner, you can certainly appreciate the enhanced probability of them securing another World Series championship.
In the end, Scherzer adds to an already formidable MLB starting rotation. Additionally, Turner, with a successful 21 out of 24 stolen base attempts this season, is expected to provide a significant boost to the LA offense.
Regardless of whether they secure a division title or a wild card entry, the Dodgers (62-42) are expected to have a significant impact in the postseason. They currently trail the San Francisco Giants by three games in the NL West.
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