The 2022 MLB playoffs will have some extra participants this season. With the ending of the lockout that delayed the 2022 season’s start, the league and the players’ association agreed to an expansion of the postseason. Each league will add one more wild card bringing the total number of playoff participants to 12.

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That opens the door for two more teams to get to the postseason. There are the usual suspects – Dodgers, Yankees, etc. – but that extra wild card may allow a team that no one is thinking about right now to play for an eventual World Series title.

Here are three longshots to make the 2022 MLB playoffs.

Bet on the Los Angeles Angels to Make the Playoffs

Odds to Make the Playoffs: +140

The reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani is on the roster and will be the starting pitcher and will hit at DH for the Angels as they take on the Houston Astros on April 7. Ohtani will have teammate Mike Trout back in the lineup and healthy.

Remember, Trout is a three-time AL MVP himself and a nine-time All-Star. There is also Anthony Rendon who is back after a hip injury cut his 2021 season short in August. Jared Walsh hit 29 homers and batted .277 last season. The Angels have some talent.

They also have improved their pitching staff. In addition to Ohtani (9-2 last year), the Angels got a significant upgrade when they went out and got former Mets ace Noah Syndergaard. “Thor,” as he is known, returned late season after Tommy John surgery in 2020. He signed with the Angels in November of last year and will be L.A.’s No. 2 pitcher in the rotation.

Patrick Sandoval and Jose Suarez are also back giving the Angels a solid pitching lineup with Ryan Tepera as the top reliever.

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Bet on the Seattle Mariners to Make the Playoffs

Odds to Make the Playoffs: +175

It came right down to the end last season and the Mariners missed out on the postseason despite winning 90 games. They have the roster to win even more in 2022.

The Mariners went to work in the offseason and grabbed former AL Cy Young award winner Robbie Ray from Toronto. He will become Seattle’s No. 1 pitcher.

Seattle also brought in utility man Adam Frazier who will end up being an everyday player and Julio Rodriguez, MLB’s No. 2 rated prospect, will make his debut. He will add to a lineup that already has some serious power. Mitch Haniger hit 39 homers and had 100 RBI last year while Kyle Seager hit 35 dingers and a team-high 101 RBIs.

The Mariners also have a number of young prospects. In addition to Rodriguez, there is Taylor Trammell and Kyle Lewis, both outfielders like Rodriguez and all three can hit with power. And, four of the five top-100 pitching prospects in the majors are in the Mariners organization.

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Bet on the Texas Rangers to Make the Playoffs

Odds to Make the Playoffs: +650

As competitive as the AL East is, it just might be the West that gets multiple playoff participants this year. With Houston the favorite to win the division, it’s unlikely all three of these teams make the postseason but don’t count out at least two.

The Rangers made some huge moves including signing Marcus Semien and SS Corey Seager from the Dodgers. Seager is a former Rookie of the Year and World Series MVP. Semien finished third in the AL MVP race last year after hitting 45 home runs for the Blue Jays.

The Rangers also signed OF Kole Calhoun, but what they lack is quality pitching. They did sign Jon Gray but he, along with Dane Dunning, Taylor Hearn, and Martin Perez, did not have a winning record in 2021. No. 5 starter A.J. Alexy went 3-1 last year after a late-season call up.

As we prepare for the start of the 2022 MLB regular season, we’ll be analyzing multiple futures betting markets. Find out who we’re betting on to win the 2022 Amerrican League Pennant and to win the 2022 National League Pennant.