The Arizona Diamondbacks have been one of the surprises of the MLB season so far, taking fans and Arizona betting apps by surprise.
The D-backs enter Friday’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs with a 17-15 record, finding themselves 4.5 games behind the NL West-leading L.A. Dodgers.
The team’s hot start has been quite the surprise, given it was picked to finish with a win total over/under of 66.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona.
To date, the D-backs have earned series wins over the Dodgers, St. Louis, Miami and Colorado — earning them some much deserved respect in MLB betting circles.
It’s also earned the team’s youthful centerpieces, like centerfielder Daulton Varsho and starters Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen, some well-earned respect from the national baseball media as the team looks to be the next surprise contender.
Diamondbacks Among NL Sleepers in 2022
The Diamondbacks’ Arizona sports betting standing is still in the bottom-third of the league, but well above where sites pegged them before the start of the season.
Take, for instance, the D-backs’ over/under, which has gone from 66.5 before Opening Day to 72.5 as of Thursday per Caesars Sportsbook.
For those looking to place a wager on the D-backs to make the 2022 MLB playoff field, DraftKings Sportsbook Arizona lists Arizona at +1400.
The team’s long-term prognosis isn’t so rosy at FanDuel Sportsbook Arizona.
The New York-based operator lists the D-backs in a tie for last, alongside Baltimore and Cincinnati, to win the 2022 World Series at +100000 — while placing Arizona 12th out of 15 teams in its NL odds board at +31000 and at +30000 to win the National League West.
Arizona Slight Underdog Against Chicago Friday
Arizona faces the Cubs at Chase Field this weekend. In Friday’s game, which has a first pitch of 6:40 p.m. Arizona time, the D-backs are +1.5 and -110, as Kelly looks to one-up Cubs southpaw Drew Smyly.
We’re still a long way from knowing whether Torrey Lovullo’s team has what it takes to become the first D-backs squad to make the postseason since 2017.
What we do know, as of now, is Arizona is capable of hanging with anyone, which is an improvement over the 52-110 showing the D-backs put forth in 2021.
