Hope springs eternal right?

Major League Baseball is back and optimism should be easy to find.

Fans can overlook a few flaws. The pitching staffs look a little better. Offenses seem more potent. And if betting tickets are any indicator, there is plenty of hope to be found in Philadelphia.

The Phillies made a huge splash before the season, signing slugger Nick Castellanos to a 5-year, $100 million deal. So any hope that already existed was just amplified by Castellanos.

Perhaps you’ve found some hope as well. Fortunately, Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks and apps have a number of wagers focused on the Phillies season.

Let’s take a look at the odds.

2022 odds World Series, NL Pennant, NL East

The Philadelphia Phillies last won the World Series in 2008. This year, BetRivers has the Phillies at +2800, which puts them at No. 16 in futures odds, right near the middle of Major League Baseball’s teams. The Dodgers lead the way at +500.

In National League futures, Philadelphia is eighth at +1400 at BetRivers. The Phillies last won the NL pennant in 2009, defending their 2008 title. Here are some of the prices at other sportsbooks:

Philadelphia Phillies Odds – National League Futures

And in NL East futures, the  Phillies are +450 at BetRivers. Philadelphia won the NL East five straight years from 2007 – 2011, but has not won the division since then. The Braves are the favorite at BetRivers at +130. Some of the other odds on the Phillies are as follows:

Philadelphia Phillies Odds – NL East Futures

  • DraftKings: +380
  • FanDuel: +400
  • BetMGM: +400

Castellanos, Schwarber, Harper Home Run Totals

The Phillies offense should be fun to watch this season, with a roster full of players capable of hitting some long balls. Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper should be among the team leaders in that category and Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks have some home run totals listed just for them.

Nick Castellanos – Regular Season HRs

  • DraftKings: Over 31.5 (-110)/Under 31.5 (-110)
  • FanDuel: Over 31.5 (-110)/Under 31.5 (-110)

Bryce Harper – Regular Season HRs

Kyle Schwarber – Regular Season HRs

  • DraftKings: Over 31.5 (-110)/Under 31.5 (-110)

Philadelphia Phillies Odds – Win Totals

When it comes to win totals, several PA sportsbooks and betting apps have a variety of different numbers. Here are a few:

  • DraftKings: 85.5
  • PointsBet:
  • FOX Bet: 85.5.

For reference, here are the Philadelphia Phillies season records over the last 10 years:

  • 2021: 82 – 90
  • 2020: 28 – 32
  • 2019: 81 – 81
  • 2018: 80 – 82
  • 2017: 66 – 96
  • 2016: 71 – 91
  • 2015: 63 – 99
  • 2014: 73 – 89
  • 2013: 73 – 89
  • 2012: 81 – 81

Philadelphia Phillies Odds – Playoffs??

The odds paint an optimistic picture of the Phillies postseason chances this year. FanDuel Sportsbook has the price for the Phillies to make the playoffs listed at . “No” on that wager is +100.

NL MVP Odds

Juan Soto leads the National League in MVP odds, but a few Phillies have made the board as well.

Here is the pricing on Philadelphia’s prominent players:

  • Bryce Harper: +900
  • Nick Castellanos: +4500
  • J.T. Realmuto: +5000
  • Rhys Hoskins: +5000

NL Cy Young Odds

A few Phillies have futures pricing for the National League’s Cy Young Award. Zack Wheeler is priced at +1100 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Aaron Nola is listed at +2000.

  • Wheeler went 14-10 last year with a 2.78 ERA and 247 strikeouts.
    • DraftKings has his season win total set at 13.5. His strikeout total is posted at 209.5.
  • Nola finished 9-9 last season with a 4.63 ERA and 223 strikeouts.
    • His 2022 win total at DraftKings is listed at 12.5, with a strikeout total of 215.5.

Home run matchups? Who ya got?

Thanks to DraftKings, there’s another fun wager posted for the season, which puts players in a head-to-head matchup to see who can hit the most home runs. Bryce Harper has pairings with Rays slugger Brandon Lowe and Braves outfielder Adam Duvall. Kyle Schwarber is placed opposite former Cubs teammate Kris Bryant.

Most Regular Season Home Runs

  • Bryce Harper (-110)/Brandon Lowe (-110)
  • Bryce Harper (-110)/Adam Duvall (-110)
  • Kyle Schwarber (-110)/Kris Bryant (-110)

MLB season begins Thursday. The Phils open the season Friday.

The Philadelphia Phillies open the 2022 season with a home game next Friday (April 8) against the Oakland Athletics. With new slugger Nick Castellanos and plenty of offense around him, there is reason for optimism in the City of Brotherly Love. Fans are grabbing hold of it and gravitating toward the over too.

In Philadelphia, hope is indeed springing eternal.

And we’ll soon see if it holds true.

Featured image credit: Lynne Sladky – AP