Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets is congratulated by his teammate Robinson Cano #24 after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citi Field on September 06, 2020 in New York City.
Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets is congratulated by his teammate Robinson Cano #24 after hitting a solo home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Citi Field on September 06, 2020 in New York City.

There’s a good chance that a lengthy championship drought will end in this MLB season. That’s at least what MLB bettors seem to believe, considering the most popular picks to win the 2022 World Series.

More bets have been placed on the New York Mets to win the 2022 World Series than any other team at BetMGM. For World Series picks from the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays are the recipients of the most money wagered.

The bets are likely the result of both teams being so active in the offseason. The Mets’ +1000 World Series odds at BetMGM are tied for second with the Houston Astros. The Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox all have +1100 odds to win the 2022 championship.

The Mets are competing with the Dodgers for MLB’s highest payroll after signing three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and outfielder Starling Marte in free agency. The Blue Jays lost 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and MVP candidate Marcus Semien, but Toronto replaced them with starter Kevin Gausmen and third baseman Matt Chapman.

The Mets’ odds have been cut in half from +2000 since the conclusion of last season. The Mets missed the 2021 playoffs with a 77-85 record. Expectations are high now that Scherzer and a healthy Jacob deGrom lead the rotation. Shortstop Francisco Lindor and first baseman Pete Alonso are potential All-Stars.

The Blue Jays started the offseason with +1600 world Series odds. Toronto went 91-71 last season and only missed the postseason by a game. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the AL MVP runner-up and could be getting better at just 23 years old. Toronto is viewed as a team on the rise with a young core that is ready to compete for a championship.

A large portion of Mets and Blue Jays fans have never been able to celebrate a World Series championship. New York last won a title in 1986, spurred by a memorable Game 6 comeback against the Boston Red Sox. The Blue Jays haven’t been back to the Fall Classic since winning consecutive championships in 1992 and 1993.

Toronto fell just shy of winning the AL pennant in 2015 and 2016 when it was defeated in the ALCS. The Blue Jays haven’t even reached the division series in the last five seasons.

The Mets returned to the World Series in both 2000 and 2015. New York was eliminated in five games on both occasions. The Mets haven’t won a single playoff game since losing Game 5 of the 2015 World Series.

The Yankees and Dodgers are also popular World Series picks by bettors.

Pete Alonso Robinson Cano Mets

Photo: Steven Ryan/Getty Images