Major League Baseball won’t change its stance on legalized sports betting in America.

The once-great league has firmly established itself as an over-controlling dad who refuses to adapt and perpetuates his traditionalist ideals because “that’s the way it’s always been” and came from “a simpler time” that “made the world a greater place.”

Indeed, MLB, that old curmudgeon, continues to sit in its rocking chair on the front porch when it’s not roaming the neighborhood ruining the fun times of youngsters.

Months after the MLB, along with other major leagues in the US, failed in lobbying states to include integrity fees in their regulations, the league has long stood behind the federal government stepping in to craft over-arching laws and guidelines for legalized sports betting.

Speaking at Boston College’s Chief Executives Club on Wednesday, Rob Manfred said as much, noting that the industry would be better served with one set of rules, established at the federal level, for each state to adopt.

“I’m a realist,” the MLB commissioner said to a group of reporters after the event. “Would I prefer to have a single integrated structure from the federal government? Yes, because it would be easier for us to deal with one set of rules.”

MLB coming around on sports betting

Since the US Supreme Court repealed PASPA last spring, seven states across the country have rolled out regulated sports betting. Another two have partial laws in place and away passage and launch. Including other states with proposed legislation, more than half of America is buying into legal wagering.

And MLB wants the federal government to oversee it all. The same league that fought tooth and nail to prevent legalized sports betting to begin with has, at the very least, begun understanding the positives of legal wagering.

“We’re realists,” Manfred said, according to a report from State House News Service (paywall). “Legalized sports betting is gonna be part of our culture going forward. We think it can be a great source of fan engagement,” Manfred said. “We do have views on exactly what the legislation should look like, but in general we see it as a positive.”

Again, though, Manfred prefers regulations begin and end at the federal level. Of course, the federal government is trying to flex its muscles in that sense, such as when senators Orrin Hatch and Chuck Schumer introduced bills in December. And, of course, there was the recent revised opinion of the Wire Act that has not sat well with states.

MLB wants federal involvement, but…

Certainly, lawmakers will continue to draft bills, make proposals and lobby for federal oversight of legal sports betting. But even the MLB acknowledges that it might be too late.

From Manfred:

“But the reality is, given the course of the Supreme Court litigation, the federal government wasn’t going to get there in time, and the states were going to proceed.”

While it sounds like the league might back off its stance for federal inclusion, it hasn’t. Not really. If anything, Manfred hinted that his league has been challenged to a dare. And the MLB accepted.

Again, from Manfred.

“We’ll figure out a way to manage it.”

Just accept the fate and move along

In a way, it’s somewhat respectable to see the MLB not caving, to see the league persist and fight for its beliefs.

Then again, its old-man stubbornness only gets exacerbated as the MLB continues to joust for any type of control in legal wagering.

It has long lobbied for a cut of the action in the form of integrity fees. It has long fought to have a say in which events and markets regulated sportsbooks can or cannot offer, going so far as to request that states not offer bets on spring training. Even recently, MLB partnered with data provider Sportradar to have control over which information is shared with media and bookmakers.

Less than a year after SCOTUS cleared the way for state-sanctioned sports betting, the MLB, along with the other major sports leagues, has come to understand the upside of the industry.

Manfred frequently cited how regulated wagering “could create additional passion” among fans.

Perhaps, though, the MLB could catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Bryce Harper mania is taking over the baseball world, especially in the Philadelphia area. As soon as his signing was made official on March 1, the sales of his No. 3 Phillies jersey went through the roof literally.

But in the NJ sports betting world, there are plenty of chances to get a cut of the Harper action. Keep in mind, with prop bets, it could take the full 182-game regular season to find out if your bet slip is a winner. And the chances of the Phillies winning this season have gotten better, according to a number of sportsbooks.

Here is a look at some of the Harper sports betting action.

Harper at the plate for the Phillies

The big question is will Harper live up to the hype that comes with a 13-year, $330 million contract. There is no doubt there will be plenty of up-and-down moments, but overall, he should certainly succeed in the hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.

His career numbers in Philly are impressive.

In 50 career games, his slugging percentage is .564 is No. 1 all-time in the stadium’s history. It’s even better than first baseman Rhys Hoskins (.562), who has only played for the Phillies. The All-Star outfielder comes to the City of Brotherly Love with a .268 career batting average at the home of the Phillies with 14 home runs.

In terms of overall numbers, Harper has a career batting average of .279 with 184 home runs and 922 hits.

Harper homer runs

With a new season, comes over-under numbers related to Harper’s projected performance at the plate.  This includes home run totals for the season.

FanDuel Sportsbook NJ has the over/under line set at 33.5 (+100 for under/-120 for over).

FanDuel is taking things a step further with a prop bet on whether or not Harper will hit an opening day home run against the Atlanta Braves. Yes has odds of +320.

But will Harper be the Major League Baseball home run champion in 2019?

DraftKings Sportsbook NJ does not have the lefty as the early favorite (that belongs to New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton), he is certainly one of the top contenders.

Here are the odds from DraftKings:

• Stanton: +700
• Aaron Judge: +1000
• Joey Gallo: +1200
• Khris Davis: +1400
• Harper: +1400
• J.D. Martinez: +1600
• Mike Trout: +1600

What about Phillies and the World Series?

Could the Phillies win the World Series in 2019? It’s not out of the question. The oddsmakers seem to like the Phillies chances, too. Adding an All-Star like Harper to an already much-improved lineup will do that.

DraftKings has Philadelphia listed at +1000 to win it all. Only four teams have better odds, with one of them being the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

Here is a closer look at the odds:

• Boston Red Sox: +650
• Houston Astros: +650
• NY Yankees: +650
• LA Dodgers: +800
• Phillies: +1000
• Chicago Cubs: +1400
• Cleveland Indians: +1400

FanDuel also has the Phillies as one of the top teams, but with odds of +1200. The Cubs have the same odds.

The Phillies really haven’t been in the World Series conversation since 2009, when they lost to the Yankees in six games. A year earlier, Philadelphia defeated Tampa Bay for the franchise’s first world championship in 18 years.

The Phillies last winning season came in 2011 when they won a Major League-best 102 games.

National League East odds

The National League East could come down to Harper’s former team, the Washington Nationals, and his current team. The BetStars NJ sportsbook currently has the Phillies listed at 9/5 to win the division while the Nationals are 3/1. Overall, this could end up being a very tight race, minus the Miami Marlins (80/1).

The Atlanta Braves, who won the NL East last year, are 5/2 to repeat. They open the regular season on March 28 at Citizens Bank Park.

The Hot Stove was quiet most of the winter. It was only a matter of time that one of the big free agents in Major League Baseball would sign a deal. The first really big name free agent, Manny Machado, is off the board. He’s now a member of the San Diego Padres.

The deal Manny Machado signed with the Padres is reportedly worth $300 million over 10 years. This contract is the largest in the history of the San Diego Padres. The largest contract in the team’s history was previously Eric Hosmer’s deal for $144 million.

San Diego Padres odds on the move

It took less than 15 minutes for Padres futures odds to be cut in half at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. Padres World Series futures odds went from +10000 (100-1) to +5000 (50-1) shortly after Manny Machado’s deal was announced.

The signing also changed the odds on the east coast. FanDuel Sportsbook in New Jersey quickly updated their division, league, and championship odds.

The Machado Aftermath 👀

Padres to win the NL West
Was: 22-1
Now: 17-1

Padres to win the NL
Was: 55-1
Now: 33-1

Padres to win the WS
Was: 100-1
Now: 66-1

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) February 19, 2019

The season win total at Caesars Entertainment sportsbooks for the San Diego Padres jumped by two wins on the news of the Machado signing. Prior to the deal, the Padres total was 77.5. Their win total is now 79.5. Caesars‘ odds are available in Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

For reference, MLB.com projects Manny Machado to have a WAR (Wins Above Replacement) for 2019 that’s around 2.9, 4.7, or 6.6.

BetStars in New Jersey has a couple different Manny Machado Home Run prop bets that might make sense to wager on now that he has a deal with the Padres:

• Home Runs: Over/Under 36.5
• Odds to win the Home Run title: 40-1

Up Next: Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper, formerly of the Washington Nationals, is still a free agent. His new deal is expected to eclipse Machado’s deal and might even surpass Giancarlo Stanton’s $325 million contract.

Harper has long been tied to the Philadelphia Phillies even though he’s currently “unsure” about signing with the team. Unlike the Machado signing, Harper to the Phillies shouldn’t move their odds too much.

The potential of Harper signing with the Phillies can be seen in their odds already. The Phillies are 14-1 to win the World Series at Caesars and 13-1 to win the World Series at FanDuel.

The odds of him hitting the most Home Runs in Major League Baseball this season are already 22-1 at BetStars. That’s seventh of all players in the league.

Bet on Manny Machado props and other MLB futures at BetStars and receive up to $500 in free bets

Caesars was the first sportsbook operator in the US to open betting on 2019 Major League Baseball season win totals in January. This marked the first time that Caesars was the first to market with MLB season win totals.

The Houston Astros opened with the highest posted win total in MLB with 97.5. Their win total is followed closely by two other American League teams: New York Yankees (96.5) and Boston Red Sox (95.5).

The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the way in the National League with 95 wins. The Baltimore Orioles have the lowest win total posted at Caesars Entertainment sportsbooks with just 59 wins.

MLB season win totals

Betting on season win totals is similar to wagering on point totals for games. Bettors choose whether the total number of games a team wins during the season will be over or under the posted total. All MLB win totals are starting at -110 but could change as wagers are placed.

Team	2019 Caesars Total	2018 Record
Houston Astros	97.5	103-59
Boston Red Sox	95.5	108-54
Los Angeles Dodgers	95	92-71
New York Yankees	94.5	100-62
Cleveland Indians	91.5	91-71
Chicago Cubs	89	95-68
St. Louis Cardinals	88.5	88-74
Washington Nationals	88.5	82-80
Tampa Bay Rays	85.5	90-72
Atlanta Braves	84	90-72
Minnesota Twins	84	78-84
Los Angeles Angels	83.5	80-82
Milwaukee Brewers	83.5	96-67
New York Mets	83.5	77-85
Oakland A's	83	97-65
Philadelphia Phillies	83	80-82
Colorado Rockies	82	91-72
Pittsburgh Pirates	78.5	82-79
San Diego Padres	77.5	66-96
Arizona Diamondbacks	77	82-80
Cincinnati Reds	77	67-95
Toronto Blue Jays	76.5	73-89
Seattle Mariners	74.5	89-73
Chicago White Sox	74.5	62-100
San Francisco Giants	73	73-89
Texas Rangers	70.5	67-95
Kansas City Royals	69	58-104
Detroit Tigers	67	64-98
Miami Marlins	65.5	63-98
Baltimore Orioles	59	47-115

Where to wager on win totals

The totals were first launched in Caesars Entertainment sportsbooks in Nevada:

Las Vegas: Bally’s, Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Flamingo, The Linq, Harrah’s, Paris, Planet Hollywood and Rio
Laughlin: Harrah’s Laughlin
Reno: Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Harrah’s Reno, Harvey’s Lake Tahoe

About an hour later the MLB win totals were made available at Caesars Entertainment casinos in New Jersey and Mississippi:

New Jersey: Bally’s/Caesars and Harrah’s
Mississippi: Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Horseshoe Tunica, Tunica Roadhouse

Caesars is first to post

MLB futures have been posted since the end of the season. However, Jan. 8 is a bit early to launch MLB win totals. Even a month later, big name free agents like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still available for teams to offer contracts. There are also trade rumors and many more players available via free agency. The hot stove for MLB isn’t quite turned all the way up.

Since Caesars Entertainment is posting the win totals so early the maximum wager is $1,000. However, if a bettor has been limited by Caesars Entertainment, they will only be able to wager their limit.

As you’d expect the MLB win totals are also available for mobile betting in New Jersey and Nevada. Mississippi doesn’t offer mobile sports wagering yet.

The Los Angeles Dodgers return home for Games 3 and 4 of the World Series. Maybe the National League champions can go ahead and unpack. Get out the golf clubs. And get to the golf course earlier than they anticipated.

With four runs coming with two outs in Game 2, the Boston Red Sox put away the Dodgers to grab a 2-0 Series lead. Of teams that win the first two games in a best-of-seven series, 84 percent have gone on to win, including each of the last the last 10 such instances in the Fall Classic.

On paper, it appears, the Red Sox, on the doorstep of dynasty status 100 years after kicking off an eight-decade-long championship-less drought, are in line to win the franchise’s fourth Commissioner’s Trophy in 14 years.

Yet while the Series is all but decided (don’t at me, Dodgers “fans”), and unlike Los Angeles, there’s still something for bettors to play for as at least two games remain to enjoy Series NJ sports betting.

Recapping Game 2 betting action

Throughout the regular season, even into the postseason, the Red Sox and Dodgers took on their respective identities: Boston relying on clutch hitting, LA on the long ball.

During the playoffs, the Dodgers have racked up 14 home runs, but only one in the Series. In banking on the big bopper, Los Angeles has struck out 187 times this postseason — 50 more than Boston.

In the World Series, the Red Sox, as shown in Game 2, have scored nine of their 12 runs with two outs. More than half of Boston’s runs in the playoffs have occurred with one out remaining. The Sox head into Game 3 batting .425 with two outs and runners in scoring position, which would be tops in World Series history. By contrast, the dinger-reliant Dodgers are hitting just .234.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, the betting disparity between Boston and Los Angeles was narrowed. According to the book, 52 percent of the total handle came down on the Red Sox, creating a four percent gap between them and the Dodgers after Game 1 featured 68 percent of the handle on Boston.

The winning ticket for moneyline/total parlay betting was wagering on a Boston win and the under of 8.5 total runs. Like in Game 1, this prop proved most popular, as 40 percent of the wagers occurred here. That said, per FanDuel, just 16 percent of the betting slips cashed out.

At DraftKings Sportsbook, with Boston trailing 2-1, a bettor wagered $50 on the Red Sox to be leading after five innings. Boston grabbed the lead in the home half of the fifth, paying out $400.

Onward to glory

As noted, teams that go up 2-0 in the Series become heavily favored to claim the world championship. As well as Boston’s clutch hitting, Los Angeles playing the matchups has stolen headlines.

After all, the Dodgers became the first team in World Series history to utilize an all-right-handed-hitting lineup. And they did it in each of the first two games, sitting their four top home run hitters in the process. Fortunately, with Boston’s Rick Porcello lined up to start Game 3, Los Angeles will likely send out its top lineup.

Regardless, the Red Sox become heavily favored to win the Series. And if they win Game 3… Well… Thanks for playing, Los Angeles. No team in the World Series has come back from 3-0. Only one in the postseason has done so: the 2004 Red Sox. If there is silver lining, at least the Dodgers have some karma on their side: manager Dave Roberts sparked that Boston comeback 14 years ago.

Sportsbook	Boston	LA Dodgers
DraftKings	-625	+450
BetStars	2/13	5/1
FanDuel	-650	+475
SugarHouse	-625	+450
888sport	-625	+450
Caesars	-600	+450
William Hill	-600	+450
MGM	-650	+475

Looking ahead, here’s the schedule:

• Game 3 at Los Angeles: Friday, 8:09 p.m. ET
• Game 4 at Los Angeles: Saturday, 8:09 p.m. ET
• Game 5 at Los Angeles: Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET (if necessary)
• Game 6 at Boston: Tuesday, 8:09 p.m. ET (if necessary)
• Game 7 at Boston: Wednesday, 8:09 p.m. ET (if necessary)

Game 3 lines

The Red Sox have won 14 of their last 16 games in the World Series. In Game 3, however, sportsbooks favor the Dodgers to pick up their first win of the Fall Classic.

Sportsbook	Moneyline	Spread	Over/Under
*Multiple lines offered
DraftKings	BOS +140/LA -159	BOS +1.5 (-165)/LA -1.5 (+135)	7.5 (-106/-115)
BetStars	BOS +140/LA -167	BOS +1.5 (-162)/LA -1.5 (+140)	7.5 (-110/-110)
FanDuel	BOS +132/LA -152	BOS +1.5 (-154)/LA -1.5 (+138)	7.5 (+104/-122)
SugarHouse	BOS +140/LA -159	BOS +1.5 (-165)/LA -1.5 (+135)*	7.5 (-106/-115)*
888sport	BOS +135/LA -167	BOS +1 (-110)/LA -1 (-110)*	7.5 (-106/-115)*
Caesars	BOS +145/LA -155	BOS +1.5 (-165)/LA -1.5 (+145)	7.5 (-105/-115)
William Hill	BOS +142/LA-152	BOS +1.5 (-155)/LA -1.5 (+135)	7.5 (-105/-115
MGM	BOS +140/LA-155	BOS +1.5 (-160)/LA -1.5 (+140)	7.5 (EV/-120)

Props, props, propspropsprops

DraftKings Sportsbook

Boston has won the first two games, both at home. In the 2017 Series, also featuring the Dodgers, home teams went 4-3. The year before, in seven games, the hosts won just twice.

So in Game 3, do you take the Dodgers at home or Boston to continue rolling? Go ahead and parlay that with the run total, which itself has been inconsistent. Each of the first two games at DraftKings featured an over/under of 7.5 (as it sits for Game 3). The opener went for 12 runs, and the next game went for six. Toss-up again with Porcello going up against the Dodgers’ best lineup, and rookie Walker Buehler facing a clutch Boston offense.

Taking the Dodgers to win as well as the under pays +200, but banking on LA to come through offensively with Buehler’s victory pays +210. (Alternatively, a Porcello win and the run total finishing over and under pays +360 and +340, respectively.)

Sticking with pitching, DraftKings features lines on more strikeouts between the two starters (Porcello +275, Buehler -265, equal total +650) as well as a prop on if LA’s Kenley Jansen (+220) or Boston’s Craig Kimbrel (+275) earns the save.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Before the Series started, FanDuel pitted the odds of Boston’s JD Martinez winning the MVP at +550. After batting .429 with four RBIs through two games, Martinez is now the front-runner at +220.

Other MVP candidates on whom to wager include Boston’s Mookie Betts (+260) and Andrew Benintendi (+400). Certainly, Los Angeles has not lost all hope just yet. Should the Dodgers rally and claim the title, currently Manny Machado (+2000), and Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp (all at +3000) lead the way.

FanDuel also features inning-by-inning prop bets: total runs in the first inning, which team leads, total runs odd or even.

For those bettors focused more on the back end of the game, consider two props.

• Will the Dodgers bat in the bottom of the ninth inning? Yes (-112) or no (-108).
• Which team ends up with more hits? Boston (+128), Los Angeles (-106) or tie (+830).

SugarHouse Sportsbook

Three props stand out at SugarHouse.

First: How many earned runs (line set at 2.5 for each) will starting pitchers allow? The over/under for Buehler (+115/-155) and Porcello (-143/+108) suggests a standout performance for the LA hurler.

Will Boston (+175) or Los Angeles (+100) post the highest-scoring inning in Game 3? Or will they match each other (+325)?

Will Game 3 become the first of this Series to reach extra innings? Yes (+750) or no (-1430).

Caesars Sportsbook

Few props exist at Caesars, but they still appear intriguing.

For example, take the Red Sox to be ahead after five innings (+145), or bank on the Dodgers (-165) to lead for just the second time this Series.

Through those first five innings, Caesars sets the line of total runs at four. The over pays +100, while the under sits at -120.

William Hill

Begin with Game 3 props. Wager on the first pitch of the game: ball (+135) or strike (-155). Decide between Benintendi (-105) and LA’s Justin Turner (-115) for more total bases, or Boston’s Mookie Betts (-125) and the Dodgers’ Manny Machado (+105).

How many players, total, will be stranded on the base paths: 15 or more (+100), 14 or less (-120).

Game 3 will allow for a clearer prediction of how many games this Series will go, but why wait? At William Hill, bettors can wager on the exact number of games the Fall Classic will last:

• Boston in four (+300)
• Boston in five (+280)
• Boston in six (+240)
• Boston in seven (+500)
• Los Angeles in six (+1500)
• Los Angeles in seven (+500)