MLB division odds: Which pennant races are worth betting ahead of 2nd half?

With the MLB season just over halfway done, most divisions have a clear front-runner coming out of the All-Star break. Still, that doesn't mean there isn't value in betting on the pennant races - especially in divisions that are poised for close finishes.

Here are the odds to win each division at Barstool Sportsbook, along with our favorite value play in each one:

AL East

The Yankees are one of three teams priced as 1-100 favorites to win their division. You're reading that right: You'd have to wager $100 just to net a measly dollar on New York winning the division. Clearly, there's no value in that even if you see it as a near-certainty, which also means it's fruitless to bet any other team, either.

If there's any team I'd bet in this division, it's the preseason favorite Blue Jays, who have the talent to go on a late run. Remember, this group closed last season on a 25-10 run to nearly steal the final wild-card spot in the AL. Still, with 14 1/2 games to make up on the dominant Yankees, I wouldn't recommend it.

Value: None

AL Central

We highlighted the White Sox as a sneaky value play to win the World Series, so naturally, we're bullish on their chances to win the division, too - even with a three-game deficit to clear behind the Twins (50-44) and Guardians (46-44).

That's a reasonable ask for this group, which has been battered by injuries but still managed a .500 record (46-46) through it all with reinforcements on the way. If Chicago's rotation can provide some support behind strikeout artist Dylan Cease, its star-studded lineup can do the heavy lifting with its key pieces intact.

Value: White Sox +115

AL West

Much like the Yankees, the Astros are holding on to a dominant lead in their division and are priced like inevitable division winners. There's simply no point betting the front-runner when they have a nine-game lead. But could there be value on the Mariners?

Seattle won 14 consecutive games before the break and will play seven of its next 10 games against Houston, which has split the season against the Mariners thus far. It's a massive deficit to overcome, and this price is likely too short to put any real money on. But if there's one bet I'm making in this division, it's on the red-hot M's.

Value: Mariners +2300

NL East

The Mets continue to lead this division despite only getting a combined 11 starts from Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom. That's good news - but can we expect those two to remain healthy down the stretch?

Maybe this team doesn't need its two stars to keep winning, but the Braves are closing in fast with the best record in baseball (33-11) since June 1. It feels eerily reminiscent of their run to a division crown and World Series title a year ago, and I wouldn't want to be on the other side of that bet this year, either.

Value: Braves +125

NL Central

This is a two-team race between the Brewers and Cardinals, who are separated by just a half-game coming out of the break. But there's a reason Milwaukee is the clear favorite to win this division.

The Brewers have one of the more potent starting rotations in baseball, especially with Freddy Peralta (shoulder), who could return from the 60-day injured list sometime in August. Yet Milwaukee's power-happy lineup has been the difference this season, which should help this group keep pace with St. Louis and its two MVP candidates.

Value: Brewers -175

NL West

The Dodgers join the Yankees and Astros as overwhelming favorites to win their division behind a 10-game lead and the best record in the NL. Again, bet this at your own peril, as a 1-100 bet rarely works out for anyone other than the sportsbook.

If you bet a team in this division, look no further than the Padres, who haven't played their best but still own one of the top records in baseball and should welcome back MVP-level star Fernando Tatis Jr. (wrist) in a few weeks. If he's hot out of the gate, this division could get interesting in a hurry.

Value: Padres +2200

C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at [email protected].