The best way to capitalize on correctly picking this year's surprise MLB teams is to bet on the Manager of the Year market.
Last year, Brandon Hyde (Baltimore Orioles) and Skip Schumaker (Miami Marlins) exceeded expectations to win the AL and NL awards, respectively. They both notched postseason berths, a trend that dates back to 2012 for the last 24 Manager of the Year winners.
MLB odds can't always tell which managers will overperform, so who will it be in 2024?
AL Manager of the Year Odds: Favorites
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| Manager | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| A.J. Hinch | Detroit Tigers | +550 |
| Matt Quatraro | Kansas City Royals | +700 |
| Stephen Vogt | Cleveland Guardians | +1000 |
| Scott Servais | Seattle Mariners | +1000 |
| Brandon Hyde | Baltimore Orioles | +1000 |
| Kevin Cash | Tampa Bay Rays | +1100 |
| Joe Espada | Houston Astros | +1100 |
Seeing three AL Central managers at the top of this oddsboard makes sense, as the path to success in that division is much more favorable.