Trout, Harper lead way on MVP futures at Sportsbooks

By NBCSports.comMar 10, 2016, 9:06 PM EST

(OddsShark.com) — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has emerged as the +150 favorite on the odds to win the American League MVP award at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com in the season ahead, sitting just ahead of reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson.

After earning AL MVP honors in 2014 Trout enjoyed an outstanding campaign again last year, belting a career-high 41 home runs to go along with 90 RBI. However, he was unable to get the Angels into the postseason, as the club finished a game back of the Houston Astros in the race for the second AL Wild Card berth.

Donaldson returns to action sporting +450 odds to win the AL MVP in 2016 following a season in 2015 in which he achieved career highs with 41 home runs, 41 doubles, and 123 RBI.

The Blue Jays third baseman received 23 of a possible 30 first-place votes in AL MVP balloting last year after leading Toronto to its first AL East division title since 1993, including a stunning 43-18 stretch run by the team.

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado finished fourth in AL MVP balloting last season, but closely trails Donaldson on the MVP odds at a strong +550 in third place.

Two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers sports +800 odds, ahead of Boston Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts at +900, while Houston Astros shortstop and 2015 AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa trails at +1600.

Over in the National League, Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has emerged as a clear +200 favorite to repeat as NL MVP at the sportsbooks. Like Donaldson, Harper busted out in 2015, hitting 42 home runs while tallying career highs with 38 doubles and 124 walks.

Harper is chased by Andrew McCutchen and Paul Goldschmidt, both sporting NL MVP odds of +500. McCutchen was once again the model of consistency in 2015, connecting on 36 doubles and knocking in 96 runs while making just two errors patrolling center field for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Goldschmidt finished second to Harper in NL MVP voting in 2015 after hitting .321 and driving in 110 runs for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who enter the 2016 season with much improved 12/1 odds to win the National League Pennant after winning just 79 games last season.

Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton rounds out the front of the pack in NL MVP betting at +650, followed by Chicago Cubs third baseman and last season’s NL Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant, who sits at an intriguing +900.

How to watch 2023 MLB Opening Day: Full schedule, start times, rule changes and more

By Mary OmatigaMar 30, 2023, 9:24 AM EDT

2023 MLB Opening Day takes place today, Thursday, March 30 with a total of 15 games–that’s action from all 30 MLB teams. The excitement begins at 1:05 PM ET with a Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals match up at Nationals Park and a San Francisco Giants vs New York Yankees showdown in the Bronx. See below for the full 2023 MLB Opening Day Schedule.

For a second straight season, NBC and Peacock will feature an exclusive Sunday Morning MLB package with a total of 19 games beginning on Sunday, April 23 with a Philadelphia Phillies vs Colorado Rockies match up. Click here for the full 2023 MLB on Peacock schedule as well as additional information on how to sign up for exclusive Peacock content.

2023 MLB Opening Day Schedule

*All times are listed as ET

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals: 1:05 p.m.

San Francisco Giants at New York Yankees: 1:05 p.m.

Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox: 2:20 p.m.

Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs: 3:10 p.m.

Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Rays: 3:10 p.m.

Philadelphia Phillies at Texas Rangers: 4:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds: 4:10 p.m.

Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres: 4:10 p.m.

Toronto Blue Jays at St. Louis Cardinals: 4:10 p.m.

Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals: 4:10 p.m.

New York Mets at Miami Marlins: 4:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros: 7:08 p.m.

Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics: 10:07 p.m.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers: 10:10 p.m.

Cleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners: 10:10 p.m.

What’s different about the 2023 MLB Season?

The 2023 MLB Season will debut a few rule changes including bigger bases, a pitch timer, and defensive shift restrictions.

Bigger Bases: All bases, with the exception of home plate, will now be 18 inches square. Prior to this change, bases were 15 inches square.
Pitch Timer: Pitchers will now have 15 seconds to throw a pitch if the bases are empty and 20 seconds to throw a pitch if there’s a runner on base. Additionally, there will be a 30-second timer between batters.
Defensive Shift: All four infielders are required to be on the infield with two on each side of second base at the time a pitch is thrown.

Click here for additional details and guidelines on the rule changes for the 2023 MLB Season.

Be sure to check out NBC’s Circling the Bases Fantasy Baseball podcast for the latest baseball analysis, injury news, and storylines surrounding the 2023 MLB season!

How to watch the MLB on Peacock:

Click here to sign up for Peacock and watch all 19 MLB games live on Sunday mornings!

If you have a Peacock account but don’t have a Premium plan, Sign In and select Account in the upper right corner. Under Plans & Payment, you should see an option to Upgrade to Premium.

What devices can I watch Peacock on?

Peacock is currently available on the Roku platform; Amazon FireTV and Fire tablets; Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD; Google platforms and devices including Android™, Android TV™ devices, Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices; Microsoft’s Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One S and Xbox One X; Sony PlayStation4 and PlayStation 4 Pro; Samsung Smart TVs; VIZIO SmartCast™ TVs; LG Smart TVs; Comcast’s entertainment platforms including Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, and XClass TV; and Cox’s Contour and Contour Stream Player devices. To learn more about Peacock and how to sign up, visit PeacockTV.com.

When is the 2023 MLB Opening Day?

By Mary OmatigaMar 30, 2023, 9:10 AM EDT

Baseball has finally arrived! Opening Day for the 2023 MLB Season is today, Thursday, March 30. The season kicks off with action from all 30 teams with 15 games on the slate. See below for the full 2023 MLB Opening schedule.

This 2023 MLB Season, NBC and Peacock have got you covered with a second consecutive season of baseball excitement. A total of 19 live games will be featured on this year’s exclusive Sunday Morning MLB package beginning on Sunday, April 23 with a Philadelphia Phillies vs Colorado Rockies match up. Click here for the full 2023 MLB on Peacock schedule as well as additional information on how to sign up for exclusive Peacock content.

When is Opening Day 2023?

Opening Day is on Thursday, March 30.