Early World Series Betting Odds to Win after Week 1, 2024 Season

 

The Major League Baseball season is underway for the 2024 season. The long winter is over. Opening Day has arrived, and we are ready for the long grind of the season.

Let’s take a look at the favorites ahead of the March 28th Opening Day, along with their early MLB odds to win World Series before we begin to play ball!

 

2024 MLB Odds to Win World Series: Top 7 Teams Going after the Title| MyBookie Baseball Season Betting Preview

2024 MLB | 124th edition of the Major League Baseball season
Opening Day: Thursday, March 28th, 2024
Potential World Series Game 7: Saturday, November 2nd, 2024

 

Los Angeles Dodgers +350

Anytime you add Shohei Ohtani and one of the best foreign pitchers on the market you are going to get a big time boost. But, the team getting a big time boost was already one of the most talented teams in all of Major League Baseball. Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts have a partner in crime in the middle of that lineup. Los Angeles is the favorite at +350.

Los Angeles Dodgers
2024 Odds: +350 | Lines to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Title

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Atlanta Braves +450

The Atlanta Braves were the best team in the regular season a year ago. The Braves mashed the baseball all over the park. The lineup led by Ronald Acuna Jr is going to be scary once again. Many are looking to Michael Harris as a huge breakout contender this season. Atlanta added Chris Sale to hopefully help in their rotation. The Braves are +450, with the second best odds.

Atlanta Braves
2024 Odds: +450 | Lines to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Title

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Houston Astros +750

No more Dusty Baker as the manager of the club. But, this roster is still loaded with talent. Kyle Tucker is emerging as an MVP contender. We have seen the damage Yordan Alvarez can do for Houston. The pitching staff has plenty of question marks, but there is no doubt they have the talent with the bats to make up for it. Houston is the favorite in the American League, at +750 to win it all.

Houston Astros
2024 Odds: +750 | Lines to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Title

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Baltimore Orioles +1100

One of the best teams in the league a season ago, and still young, and likely to get even better. WIll Jackson Holliday bring energy and solid play to the lineup right way as a youngster? The Orioles are another team with pitching questions, but bringing Corbin Burnes over from Milwaukee was a great start to improve that. The Orioles are 11/1 odds to win the 2024 World Series.

Baltimore Orioles
2024 Odds: +1100 | Lines to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Title

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New York Yankees +1100

It has not been a great off-season for the Yankees. After grabbing Juan Soto from the Padres, they are going to start the season without their ace Gerrit Cole. The Yankees are also hoping for the best from an Aaron Judge injury. New York cannot afford to get off to a slow start in such a loaded American League East. The Yankees are tied with the Orioles at +1100 to win the World Series.

New York Yankees
2024 Odds: +1100 | Lines to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Title

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Philadelphia Phillies +1400

A team that went to the World Series, and then the next season was a game away from getting back. This team is loaded with talent. Bryce Harper should anchor the lineup, full of big bats. The rotation is set pretty firm with Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. The Phillies have some questions in the bullpen, but that is something they can work through in the National League. Philadelphia is 14/1 to win it all.

Philadelphia Phillies
2024 Odds: +1400 | Lines to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Title

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Texas Rangers +1500

The defending World Series Champions are 7th in terms of betting odds. The Rangers are the fourth best odds in the American League. Texas will miss lefthander Jordan Montgomery, who came over and was great in the rotation. The offense is led by Adolis Garcia, and will see a bunch of young talent around him. Do not put it past this squad to be there in October again. Texas is listed at +1500.

Texas Rangers
2024 Odds: +1500 | Lines to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Title

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Other Betting Odds to Consider:

• Seattle Mariners +1900
• Minnesota Twins +1900
• Toronto Blue Jays +2000
• Chicago Cubs +2800
• Tampa Bay Rays +3500
• St. Louis Cardinals +3500
• Arizona Diamondbacks +4000

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Early 2024 MLB Season Betting Predictions

The massive free agents deals have landed, which is why although it’s the start of 2024, it’s a suitable time to make early MLB Season betting predictions.

Which players grab the Cy Young and MVP trophies?

What teams are the best plays to win the American League and National League pennants, and which squad offers the best World Series odds with the best chance to win the Fall Classic?

Check out MLB baseball odds, analysis, props, and early 2024 MLB World Series betting picks.

Early 2024 MLB World Series and Season Betting Odds and Props | MyBookie Baseball Season Betting Preview

2024 MLB | 124th edition of the Major League Baseball season
Wednesday, March 20th – Sunday, September 29th, 2024
94th All-Star Game played this year

Early 2024 MLB Season Betting Predictions

AL Cy Young | Pablo Lopez – Twins +1200

Only 27, the 6’ 4” Minnesota ace comes off the best season of his career. Lopez won 11, posted a 3.66 ERA, struck out 234 in 194 innings and ended the season with a sweet 1.15 WHIP.

Lopez could build upon the stunning season and produce even better stats in 2024. If Bailey Ober stays healthy, the 3.43 ERA Twins starter will help Lopez in reaching the Cy Young goal. Ober is likely to overtake

If Ober suffers injuries, Joe Ryan projects to return to the 3.55 ERA he posted in 2022. Lopez has a great shot of upsetting the favorites and winning the AL Cy Young.

2024 AL Cy Young Pick: Pablo Lopez +1200 | Bet Pablo Lopez to Win AL Cy Young
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament

NL Cy Young | Zac Gallen – D’Backs +1600

Gallen became an elite pitcher in 2022 when he went 12-4 with a 2.54 ERA and .91 WHIP. 2023 was sort of a bounce season because Zac’s ERA floated to 3.47.

Gallen was an all-star in 2023, which tells us if he returns to his 2022 stats, watch out. Arizona has built a team that will contend for years. Zac Gallen is the anchor in the rotation. Expect the D’Backs ace to put forth a Cy Young type season in 2024.

2024 NL Cy Young Pick: Zac Gallen +1600 | Bet Zac Gallen to Win NL Cy Young
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament

AL MVP | Corey Seager – Rangers +1000

Texas’ 2-time World Series MVP, Seager on the award when leading the Dodgers to the title in 2020 and 2-times World Series Champion has yet to win an MVP.

In 2024, Seager could have the best season of his career. Seager batted .245 in his first season in the AL. The average rose to .327 last season. This season, Seager could flirt with .350 with over 30 home runs and at least 100 RBIs.

2024 AL MVP Pick: Corey Seager +1000 | Bet Corey Seager to Win AL MVP
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament

NL MVP | Shohei Ohtani – Dodgers +900

Shohei is The Natural. Sure, he looks nothing like Robert Redford, but who cares?

Ohtani is going to have a monstrous season because he not only gets to step onto the mound and face batter who don’t know him that well, but the Dodgers are loaded with hitters, which means there will be no way to pitch around him. At 9-to-1 odds, Shohei is an overlay.

2024 NL MVP Pick: Shohei Ohtani +900 | Bet Shohei Ohtani to Win NL MVP
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament

AL Pennant | Minnesota Twins +1200

If Ryan and Ober support Lopez, the Twins will have 3 aces in the rotation. The bats were there last season when Minnesota took it to their AL Central foes.

So the question is whether or not the the rotation and bullpen are strong enough. The guess here is that both will impress the entire season.

2024 NL Pennant Pick: Minnesota Twins +1200 | Bet Twins to Win AL Pennant
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament

NL Pennant | Arizona Diamondbacks +1400

The D’Backs shouldn’t be at 14-to-1 odds. Yes, the Dodgers and Braves look like NL pennant locks, but Zona has something that those teams don’t, chemistry.

NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll is only going to get better and Ketel Marte is great. The rotation is solid with Gallen and Merrill Kelley at the top. If Brandon Pfadt improves, watch out.

Give Torrey Lovullo’s squad a big thumbs up to pull off the NL pennant repeat.

2024 NL Pennant Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks +1400 | Bet Diamondbacks to Win NL Pennant
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament

2024 World Series | Arizona Diamondbacks +3200

In a battle between the D’Backs and the Twins, Arizona will be the team to throw money behind. The Diamondbacks have proven they can beat more talented teams.

Also, the Diamondbacks have the best chemistry of any team in the MLB. Arizona will get over the hump and win the second World Series trophy in franchise history.

2024 World Series Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks +3200 | Bet Diamondbacks to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?

Online MLB Betting Odds
MyBookie Odds for the Games

 

 

Previous Betting News

The 2023 Major League Baseball Season got off to a tremendous start on Thursday. Teams like the Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets showed why they’re favorites to win the title. Other teams, like defending NLCS squad Philadelphia, struggled.

Check out after MLB Opening Day to win World Series odds and analysis from MyBookie.

Updated World Series Odds After Opening Day

2023 MLB Regular Season: Thursday, Mar. 30 – Sunday, Oct. 1

Houston Remains the Favorite but Dodgers and Braves Looked Good

The Stros remain the overall chalk to win the Fall Classic, but, wow, that wasn’t good. Houston lost their first game via a 3-2 score to the Chicago White Sox.

The good news if you’re a Houston fan is that Framber Valdez threw great. For some reason, Dusty Baker pulled him after the fifth even though Framber gave up 6 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs, and struck out 4.

The Dodgers and Braves both won via blowouts. Both teams played two of the worst teams in baseball, LAD faced the Diamondbacks and the ATL took on the Nationals. Still, both teams showed in the wins they deserve to be World Series favorites.

World Series Pick: Astros | Bet Astros to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Yankees, Mets, and Blue Jays Move Up

The Yankees and Mets both leapfrogged to +750 status after beating up their first game opponents. The Yankees impressed more among the two New York squads.

Gerrit Cole looked better than ever when striking out 11 Giants and allowing 3 hits in 6 innings. Not only that, but the Yankees dropped 4 earned runs onto SF ace Logan Webb.

One thing to pay attention to? Webb struck out 12 Yankees. If NYY continues to strike out, it could be an issue.

The Blue Jays may have had the most impressive win of the day. Toronto ace Alek Manoah didn’t throw well. In 3 innings, Manoah gave up 5 earned runs on 9 hits.

But the Jays rallied for a 10-9 road win against the NL Central favored St. Louis Cardinals. Manoah should right the ship. So if you’re a Toronto fan, you must take comfort in the fact the lineup and the bullpen can bail out the Blue Jays’ starters.

World Series Pick: Blue Jays | Bet Blue Jays to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Philadelphia and San Diego Struggled on Opening Day

Two preseason NL favorites struggled in their first games. The Phillies lost 7-11 to the Rangers. Philly played well. They just came up against a better team than many realize.

San Diego had no excuses. The Friars fell to Colorado and it wasn’t close. San Diego lost 7-2. Not only did the Rockies, supposedly one of the worst teams in MLB, outscore SD, but the Padres couldn’t get much going at the plate.

It’s only one game. However, a single game can set the tone, and San Diego did not look good at all. SD must bounce back on Friday or over the weekend to justify their World Series odds.

World Series Pick: Padres | Bet Padres to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

After Opening Day, the Texas Rangers Look like the Best Underdog Play

One game does not make a season, but if you’re itching to place a early World Series bet on an underdog with a chance, look no further than the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers scored 11 runs against Philadelphia. The Phillies aren’t much different than they were last season, which means the Rangers’ O is legit.

At +3300 odds, Texas, yes, after just one game, is an overlay.

World Series Pick: Rangers | Bet Rangers to Win World Series
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

 

 

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Who Are the Favorites to Win the 2023 World Series?

The Houston Astros had barely started to pop the corks off their champagne bottles during their World Series title celebration before the odds of winning the 2023 World Series had been released.

In looking at the favorites, we see some very familiar names at the top of the board. Let’s go over some of the teams with the best World Series Odds to win the 2023 World Series.

Los Angeles Dodgers +500

The L. A. Dodgers had the best record in MLB this season but were a disappointment in the playoffs. After losing to the San Diego Padres, the Dodgers realized they had some work to do. With a seemingly never-ending payroll, the Dodgers will be in the market to sign some of the top free agents this season.

Trae Turner is a free agent, but if they don’t re-sign him, they’ll be in the market for one of the other big-name middle infielders. We know they’ll make a big signing or two to go with their already-loaded roster.

Houston Astros +700

The 2022 World Champs should be a strong contender to repeat. They have a loaded pitching staff, one of the best bullpens in the game, and a very strong lineup.

We’re not sure what they’ll be looking for in the free-agent market, but if they could find a slugging first baseman, this team would be stronger than this season’s squad.

Atlanta Braves +800

The Braves got off to a slow start this past season, but a strong finish got them back into the playoffs. They could be in play for a starting pitcher and could use some bullpen help. We’ll also see if they give Dansby Swanson a long-term deal or if they let him leave.

The Braves also have a deep farm system that could be used to make some trades. If Ronald Acuna, Jr. can stay healthy, this team will be one of the top teams in baseball once again.

Toronto Blue Jays +900

This squad tried to overtake the New York Yankees but just quite couldn’t get over the hump.

They were upset in the Wild Card round by the Seattle Mariners. If the pitching staff is healthy to start the season, this team is built for the long run. They have a lineup filled with good, young hitters.

New York Yankees +900

Let the Aaron Judge sweepstakes begin! We’ll see if the Yankees can bring back the most sought-after free agent in baseball this winter. If they can’t, that will leave a huge hole in their lineup.

New York will need to look at their starting pitching, as it needs some improvement, and they will also need to make some additions to their bullpen. We’ll see if they look to do something at shortstop or third base as well.

New York Mets +1100

After their collapse down the stretch last season, we know that owner Steve Cohen will look to make the team better.

He’ll be willing to throw out big bucks in the free agent market. We’ll see if he’s willing to sign Jacob deGrom to a big deal or if the Mets let him walk.

We’re for sure the Mets will make some big signings, as they don’t seem to have an issue paying players.

 

 

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Who Goes to the World Series? If we have learned anything from the MLB playoffs to this point, it’s that what happens in the regular season isn’t overly important. | NFL Odds, American Football NFL Lines | MyBookie Sportsbook

 

Yes, a team has to have a good season to progress to the playoffs, but once the postseason begins, every team that gets in starts with the same record. All you need to do is look at how 100-plus win teams fared this postseason, with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers falling at the first hurdle. The 3 teams remaining are a little surprising, but that is all part of the fun of the playoffs. What we need to figure out now is which two teams will be vying for the World Series once we get done with the respective Championship Series, so let’s see if we can figure it out.

American League Championship Series: Texas Rangers Vs Houston Astros

The first thing that we need to look at when breaking down each series is how things went in the regular season meetings. Yes, we have just spent some time saying how the regular season doesn’t really matter when it comes time to handicap the playoffs, but we still need to take it into account to a certain point. If we rely solely on that, then it is the Astros who have the edge here, as they went 9-4 against the Rangers in the regular season.

The Astros beat the Twins in 4 games in the ALDS, outscoring them 20-13 in the process. The Astros have the home field advantage, which is not that great when you consider that they ended the season with a losing record in their own building. On the flipside, they were great on the road, so heading out to face the Rangers won’t be an issue.

The Rangers are rolling, winning 5 straight in the postseason after having to go through the Wild Card. They have surrendered just 12 total runs in those 5 games, so the pitching staff is certainly doing their thing.

This is going to be a tight series, I believe, but I think it will be the Astros that move on to the World Series.

Bet Rangers Vs Astros to Win
MyBookie NFL Betting for Regular Season

National League Championship Series: Arizona Diamondbacks Vs Philadelphia Phillies

If the regular season series between these two teams is anything to go by, then we are probably looking at a very close series. They met 7 times in the regular season, with the Phillies edging it 4-3. This series is a surprise, as the general consensus was that we would be seeing the Dodgers and Braves meeting in the NLCS.

The D-Backs had to go the Wild Card route, but they have made it look very easy to this point. Thew swept the Brewers before then going on and sweeping the Dodgers in the NLDS. Overall, they have outscored the opposition 30-11 in their 5 postseason games to this point. They start out on the road, where they had a slim winning record in the regular season.

It has been much the same story for the Phillies and their path to the NLCS. They hammered the Marlins in the Wild Card and came close to sweeping the Braves, losing Game 2 on a miraculous double play before heading home to close things out.

I think we see this series go the distance, and I am taking the Diamondbacks to win it in 7.

Bet Diamondbacks Vs Phillies to Win
MyBookie NFL Betting for Regular Season

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If the ALCS is complete by Oct. 23, then NLCS Game 6 will move to 8 p.m.

 

 

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When it comes to the playoffs, regardless of the sport, getting in is all that really matters.

Yes, being the top seed and getting home field advantage is great, but as history has shown us, it is no guarantee of success. MyBookie Sportsbook World Series Odds, 2024 Current Updated Odds to Win

The playoffs are a whole different ball game when measured against the regular season, with some teams just better equipped to handle the level of pressure that comes with the postseason. The Texas Rangers just beat the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the World Series, with both of those teams needing to take a longer path after getting in via the Wild Card. Will we see more of the same next season, or will one of the early favorites win it all this time around? Let’s take a look at those MLB World Series odds, keeping in mind that they will probably change rather dramatically once teams start making offseason moves.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves went into the postseason looking like the team to beat after positing the best record in baseball during the regular season. It all came undone for them rather quickly, though, falling at the first hurdle to the Washington Nationals. As disappointing as that result was, this is a team that is still stacked from top to bottom. They won’t need to make too many offseason moves other than a few tweaks to fill some perceived holes. I don’t expect to see the Braves move out of their favorite spot between now and the start of the new season.

LA Dodgers

The Dodgers have made a habit of winning the NL West in an absolute canter, but they have not really parlayed that success into championships. For a team that spends as much money as the Dodgers do to acquire talent, you would expect them to be a dynasty type team, but they are proof that having money to spend does not mean that championships will follow. They will continue to follow the same business model, but will the final result change? Only time will tell.

Houston Astros

This is a team that has seen some recent playoff success, but much of that has been blighted by the controversies around allegations of cheating. The Astros are the team that everyone loves to hate despite the fact that almost all of the major players from the scandal year are now plying their trade elsewhere. Despite all of that, the Astros still find a way to consistently win and are probably deserving of being in this spot even though they saw their 2023 season come to a disappointing end.

Texas Rangers

It is not uncommon to see the championship team start as the favorite when the odds for a new season are announced. That is not the case here, though, perhaps because the Rangers were something of a surprise winner. Yes, they won 90 games in the regular season and certainly deserved to be in the playoffs, but there were not a lot of people outside of the state of Texas who gave them too much of a shot at winning it all. Repeating is tough at any time, but doing so as a surprise champion may be tougher still.

The Texas Rangers Win the 2023 World Series!

 

 

Previous Betting News

There are two weeks left in the 2022 MLB season. As the days and games pass, teams are eliminated from playoff contention, while other teams have already secured seemingly inevitable post-season births. We’ll review the odds of winning the World Series of fourteen teams currently fighting for MLB playoff spots. Here is the betting review for your MLB betting.

Los Angeles Dodgers – +265

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the best team in baseball throughout the 2022 season. Odds makers and bettors have been taking and making money on the Dodgers all season long. The Dodgers should be and are listed as the odds-on favorite to win the World Series. The Dodgers have been in three of the last five World Series and will be looking for their second World Series championship in three years.

All roads to the World Series run through Los Angeles.

Houston Astros – +310

The Houston Astros are the favorite to win the World Series from the American League. The Astros have shone brighter than the New York Yankees since the All-star break, making them the clear American League World Series favorite during the year’s second half. The Astros will be looking to make a return trip to the World Series in 2022, marking their fourth appearance in the past six years.

New York Yankees – +450

The New York Yankees have comfortably led the ultra-competitive American League East division since the early days of the 2022 MLB season. Since the All-star break, the Yankees have not been at their best and have been replaced by the Astros as the American League favorite to win the World Series, yet the Yankees are still a logical candidate for a World Series birth in 2022.

New York Mets – +500

The Mets hold a one-game lead over Atlanta for the National League East division lead. The Mets will fight with Atlanta until the season ends and will likely have to go through the Dodgers to make it to the World Series. A daunting task even for a team as good as the New York Mets.

Atlanta Braves – +610

The defending World Series champions currently hold an eleven-game lead over the Phillies for the final National League Wild Card. They also sit one game behind the New York Mets in the National League East division, ensuring a battle to the end of the seasons and a return to the post-season for the Braves.

St. Louis Cardinals – +1400

The Cardinals are the best team in the weak National League Central and have flown under the radar during the 2022 MLB season. The Cardinals might be a long shot to win the World Series for a division leader, but they could be a team that surprises people in the post-season.

Toronto Blue Jays – +1450

Canada’s team currently holds a half-game lead over Tampa Bay and a two-game lead over Seattle for the top American League Wild Card spot. The Blue Jays have been singing recently and have the offensive talent to be a perennial contender for years to come, although pitching may prove to be Toronto’s critical flaw.

Seattle Mariners – +1700

Seattle hasn’t made the MLB playoffs since 2001. The Mariners will break that streak and pose a difficult task for whomever they play in the first round of the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Rays – +1975

The American League East has three of the top eight betting candidates to win the World Series. Tampa Bay will be looking to make it to their second World Series in three seasons in 2022.

Philadelphia Phillies – +2300

The Phillies hold a two-game lead over the Brewers for the final National League Wild Card spot and will need to continue to fight for the last National League Wild Card Spot.

San Diego Padres – +2900

Even with significant acquisitions over the winter and before the trade deadline, the Padres are still among the competitive teams with longer odds of winning the World Series. As of publication, the Padres hold the second National League Wild Card spot

Cleveland Guardians +3000

Cleveland is the first of three teams on this list fighting for the American League Central division pennant and has the highest odds among the current division leaders to win the World Series.

Milwaukee Brewers – +6000

As of publication, the Brewers are two games behind the Phillies for the final National League Wild Card spot. The Brewers will fight for that final playoff spot but remain a significant underdog to win the World Series.

Chicago White Sox – +6200

Chicago is the second of three teams fighting for the American League Central division championship. The White Sox will be fighting with the Guardians for the division pennant to the final few games of the regular season.

Minnesota Twins – +14000

Minnesota is the third of three teams fighting for the American League Central Division championship. The Twins still have a chance but are all but eliminated from the postseason.

Baltimore Orioles – +20000

The Orioles World Series odds shifted dramatically when the Orioles were on a run of excellent performances after the All-star break. Baltimore hasn’t been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet and remains a long shot to make the playoffs, let alone win the World Series.

 

 

Previous Betting News

After an intriguing MLB regular season and playoffs, we are down to two teams as the Houston Astros, and the Philadelphia Phillies square off for the biggest hardware in the sport. This is the Phillies first World Series appearance since the 2009 season, while the Astros were in the World Series last season.

Today, we’re going to discuss who’s going to win the whole thing and how many games this should go, so let’s get into it, for your favorite bets!

Who is Going to Win the World Series?

According to MyBookie Sportsbook, this is definitely one series that is expected to go one way as the Houston Astros are -189 to win the World Series while the Philadelphia Phillies are +152 to win it all. These teams are both going to hit as the Phillies are second in the MLB Postseason with a .749 team OPS and leading it all with 16 home runs, while the Astros are third offensively with a .708 team OPS so far and have hit 12 home runs as a team.

The major difference between these teams has been the ability to pitch out of the bullpen, as Houston is the best bullpen of the playoffs with an outstanding 0.82 ERA in 33 innings, while Philadelphia is sixth with a 3.19 reliever ERA, winning 42.1 innings. The opposition matters as the Astros faced the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS and the New York Yankees in the ALCS, while the Phillies faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Round, the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, and the San Diego Padres in the NLCS.

The individual performances of shortstop Jeremy Pena having a .991 OPS with three homers and five RBI in his first playoffs, have been critical as second baseman Jose Altuve is just 3-for-32 so far. The Phillies have a lot of pop, but designated hitter Bryce Harper has stepped up with a 1.351 OPS with five home runs and 11 RBI, while first baseman Rhys Hoskins has five homers and 11 RBI as well.

The pitching of Houston Astros has an elite advantage with shutdown pitching, so I would go with the Houston Astros to win this entire thing with their experience.

How Many Games?

This is a tough question as the series starts in Minute Maid Park for Games 1 and 2, Citizens Bank Park in Games 3-5, and back in Minute Maid Park for Games 6 and 7. Both leagues have adopted the DH rule, so there is no difference here anymore. I expect the Phillies to hand the Astros to lose a game in this series after a 7-0 start this postseason. Philadelphia should slug a game out of this series, and I really feel like this will be a six-game World Series as the Phillies have a great top-of-the-rotation with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, but I don’t love their back-end while the Astros have Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr as a full postseason rotation.

 

 

Previous Betting News

As the 2021 Major League Baseball season is just under two weeks old, many speculate on who will end up taking part in the Fall Classic, also known as the World Series. Many teams made vast improvements over the offseason and have put themselves in a great position to make a long postseason run.

In some cases, the old phrase “the rich get richer” comes into play, as many of the large market teams could acquire some big-time players. Let’s take a look at some early odds to win the World Series. We’ll analyze some of the favorites along with a dark horse or two.

MLB 2021 World Series Odds: Favorites, Dark Horses and Upsets

Los Angeles Dodgers +350

The Dodgers won the World Series last season, brought back almost all of their starters, and signed Trevor Bauer in the offseason. You can see why they’re the favorite to win it all again this year.

With one of the best starting rotations in the game and a stacked lineup, the Dodgers have what it takes to win it again. Their biggest weakness is their bullpen, but the Dodgers will make trades to improve it if it struggles early on.

New York Yankees +550

The Yankees have a very powerful lineup that includes Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, and DJ LeMahieu. Gerritt Cole is one of the best starting pitchers in the game, and he will anchor the starting staff. The Yankees bullpen is arguably the best in baseball.

If the Yankees can stay healthy, they have a great shot at winning it all.

San Diego Padres +900

The Padres made a splash in the offseason by acquiring Yu Darvish and Blake Snell. These two will anchor a tremendous starting pitching staff. Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Eric Hosmer anchor an outstanding lineup.

The Padres and the Dodgers will be battling it out in the NL West this season, so hopefully, they don’t spend too much energy just trying to win the division.

Chicago White Sox +1100

The White Sox are ready to contend! With Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, and Lance Lynn manning the top of their rotation, the Sox can compete with anyone. Their lineup has some young hitters, but if they can continue to improve, the White Sox have a shot at going all the way.

Toronto Blue Jays +2200

The Blue Jays could be a dark horse out of the American League. They have a lineup filled with promising young sluggers. They signed George Springer to help lead this young group. Their starting pitching is led by Hyun Jin Ryu. They could make some noise in the postseason.

Philadelphia Phillies +2500

The Phillies have quietly put together a starting squad that could sneak up on some people. They have two excellent starters at the top of their rotation in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. They have a lineup led by Bryce Harper. Watch out for the pesky Philadelphia Phillies, as they could become an issue in the postseason.

 

 

Previous Betting News

There were times when it looked as though we would not see baseball at all this year, but the MLB and the players union finally managed to come to an agreement to get back to action. Things will look very different, though, with no fans in the stands and the regular season reduced to just 60 games. In a normal 162-game season, getting off to a slow start is not that big an issue, but it could well prove to be fatal this year, as there simply won’t be time to play catchup as normal. The favorites to win the World Series have been set, but might we see some surprises in what is a very different looking season? Only time will tell, but for now, let’s take a look at the favorites ahead of the July 23 opening day, along with their MLB odds to win.

MLB World Series 2020 Updated Odds & Picks

New York Yankees (+375)

The Yankees are coming off a season where they won 100 games, which is no small feat, but rather than resting on their laurels, you can argue that their lineup heading into this season is even stronger than it was in 2019. They have added Gerrit Cole to the starting rotation and will have Luis Severino and Giancarlo Stanton back in the lineup after missing most of last season with injuries. There do not appear to be any weaknesses with this Yankees squad, and if they can come out and get rolling early, there may be no stopping them.

LA Dodgers (+375)

The Dodgers are routinely the biggest spending team in the MLB, and while they have put together an incredibly good team, they have failed to pick up a Word Series title, although they did lose in back to back seasons in the championship series. You would certainly like them to dominate the National League once again, but they do have some serious competition in there, so it might not be as easy as you might imagine, especially with the shortened season.

Houston Astros (+1200)

The biggest question surrounding the Astros is whether fans are going to be willing to forget the sign stealing scandal that rocked them in the offseason. The positive thing for this team is that they will not have to listen to fans jeering them in the stands, which should allow them to stay focused and get the job done. There are a lot of new faces on the management side of things in Houston, but that should not really have an impact on a team that has put together 3-straight 100-win seasons.

Atlanta Braves (+1200)

There is no doubt that the Atlanta Braves have one of the most exciting young teams in baseball and that they look like a good bet to win the NL East again, but can they take the next step and win in the postseason? The Braves spent some money to keep some potential free agents and add a couple more, which tells us that they are serious about taking a run at the World Series. The signing of Yasiel Puig looked to be hug, but it all fell through when Puig tested positive for COVID-19. Keep an eye out for this team.

For me, the Yankees look like the team to beat, so I see them representing the AL in the World Series. I think they win it, taking out the Braves in the championship series.

 

 

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The Houston Astros, L.A. Dodgers, New Yankees, and Atlanta Braves start their quest for the World Series this week. Houston enters the quest for the championship with the best record in baseball. What are the chances of the Astros using homefield advantage to grab Fall Classic rings? Check out updated odds and analysis for the 2019 World Series!

Updated 2019 World Series Odds – September 30th Edition

When: 22 – Oct. 30
Where: TBD
TV: FOX

Odds to Win 2019 World Series

What makes the Houston Astros an overlay? What makes them a possible underlay?

Let’s start with what makes them an underlay before getting to the positives. The glass half empty handicappers will point to the Astros 2019 MLB Playoffs flub. That, and the fact that they are likely to have to take on the New York Yankees in the ALCS makes them tough to back at low odds, those handicappers reason.

Not backing a team to win anything because they offer underlay odds make sense. In the case of the Astros, though, they don’t offer underlay odds. The Stros enter the postseason with 3 ace pitchers: Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Zack Greinke. They rank first in team batting average. Their bullpen ranks first in team ERA. They might be an overlay at their current less than +200 odds to win the World Series.

Among the Atlanta Braves, L.A. Dodgers, and New York Yankees, which team has the best shot of winning the World Series?

You’d think the Yankees, but NYY must play the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS. The Yankees went 4-2 against the Twins during the regular season. If they get by the Twins in the ALDS, they most likely must battle the Astros. The Stros won the regular season against the Yankees 4-2.

The Braves or Dodgers are a better pick because one of them should end up in the World Series. The NL isn’t nearly as deep as the AL this season. Of the two, the Atlanta Braves are preferred over the Dodgers. Atlanta has a decent starting rotation while their bullpen has improved.

Shane Greene’s ERA went from 4.01 in the last 30 games to 2.51 in the last 15 games. Mark Melancon, the listed closer, has a 1.84 ERA in the last 15 games. Atlanta looks strong.

Which team between the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins can win the 2019 World Series?

The Cardinals are hot in the future books. Their odds are down to +1200. History says St. Louis makes a playoff run. History doesn’t always repeat, though. In this case it could. St. Louis’ starting rotation ranks fifth with a 3.82 team ERA. The bullpen ranks sixth with a 3.88 team ERA. The Cardinals aren’t a great team at the plate. However, pitching is what leads you to wins in the postseason. Give St. Louis the nod over the Twins.

What are two wildcard teams that, should they win their play-in game, can upset in the MLB Postseason and take the Fall Classic?

The Washington Nationals in the NL and the Oakland Athletics in the AL figure to have the best shots of the wildcard teams. Washington has a bad bullpen, but they’ve got a legitimate hall of fame ace in Max Scherzer. If they can get past Milwaukee on Tuesday, they’d face a Dodgers’ squad that might get cold feet in the postseason after a couple of World Series losses the past two years.

The A’s rotation ranks sixth in MLB with a 3.97 team ERA. The bullpen ranks seventh. Although they could lose to Tampa in the wildcard game on Tuesday, Oakland knows the Houston Astros well. They have the better shot of pulling off the upset in the ALDS than the Rays.

 

 

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After sitting through a breathlessly brilliant Home Run Derby on Monday night, the next event on the MLB calendar is the All-Star Game, which is likely to be anti-climactic in comparison. Once we have done with all the pomp and circumstance of the All-Star Break, we get back to the serious business of the MLB regular season on Thursday night.

With the trade deadline approaching, we are going to see teams go all-in on a potential World Series run, and while we don’t yet know how those moves will play out, we can still look ahead and try to deliver some updated World Series picks. With that in mind, let’s take a close look at the latest MLB odds to win the pennant in both leagues.

Updated 2019 World Series Odds & Betting Picks – July 9th

American League

At the midway point of the season, the favorites in the American League have become crystal clear. While the top 3 are all close in terms of wins and losses, you need to give the edge to the New York Yankees, a team that managed to win 57 games in the first half despite being absolutely hammered by injuries. They look like an absolute certainty to win the East.

In the Central, the Minnesota Twins have been a very nice surprise package, but they gave up some serious ground in a closing couple of weeks of the first half, with the Cleveland Indians cutting the margin in the Central to just 5 ½ games. Look for the Indians to continue to pile on the pressure in the Central, with They and the Twins making it into the postseason.

While the Houston Astros have had a couple of hiccups along the way, they are still far and away from the best team in the AL West. I see them expanding their 7 ½ game lead as the Texas Rangers and Oakland A’s continue to battle it out for the #2 spot that might just lead to a Wild Card spot.

MLB Odds to Win the American League Pennant (Top 5)

Expert Pick

I am taking the Houston Astros to win the American League.

National League

Things are a good deal tighter and tougher to predict over in the NL, with the race for playoff spots likely to go all the way down to the wire. Starting out in the East, it is the defending division champion Atlanta Braves who have a nice little 6-game lead at the top. Their offense is on fire and they are likely to upgrade their pitching at the deadline. They should hold on and win.

It looks as though the Central Division is going to take some sorting out, as it appears that none of the teams in there actually want to win it. The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers have been flip-flopping in first, with the chasing pack staying close. I have a feeling that it will only be the winner of the division that makes the postseason, and I like that winner to be the Chicago Cubs.

Yes, there is a lot of baseball still to be played, but I think that the LA Dodgers are too far out in the lead to be caught. The biggest question here is whether any other team can do enough in the second half to get into the Wild Card. I had the Rockies doing it in my preseason picks, so I will stick with them until the end.

MLB Odds to Win the American League Pennant (Top 5)

Los Angeles Dodgers +100
Atlanta Braves +300
Chicago Cubs +800
Milwaukee Brewers +950
Philadelphia Phillies +1000

Expert Pick

I have the LA Dodgers winning the NL and the World Series.

MLB Odds to Win the 2019 World Series (Top 5)

Los Angeles Dodgers +270
New York Yankees +300
Houston Astros +350
Atlanta Braves +750
Minnesota Twins +900

 

 

Previous Betting News

If you’re an MLB betting enthusiast that is looking for some expert betting analysis that could help you cash in your 2019 MLB futures odds to win this season’s annual Fall Classic, then you’ve come to the right place.

Thanks to the expert MLB betting analysis that you to get, you could make what amounts to a winning wager long before the start of the 2019 season ever gets underway. Now, let’s get down to business.

Updated 2019 World Series Odds – March 18th Edition

The Favorites

I have no idea why the Yankees are prohibitive favorites, but they’re certainly not my top pick to win the 2019 World Series for one big reason. New York’s pitching doesn’t quite measure up to Boston’s and definitely not Houston’s fantastic staff of both, start starting hurlers and relievers. Simply put, I’m expecting either the Red Sox – or better yet, the Astros – to win the AL Pennant in 2019.

Over in the National League, the Dodgers are favored to win their third straight NL Pennant after falling in each of the last two Fall Classics, but I’m thinking their roster-altering trade with Cincinnati is going to come back to bite them in the rear end.

Philadelphia is getting a bunch of love after acquiring Bryce Harper, but the Phils don’t look like they’re going to have enough quality pitching to get it done from where I’m sitting.

Contenders

Atlanta
Milwaukee
While I’m thinking the Chicago Cubs could rise up and surprise this coming season, I’m thinking Atlanta or Milwaukee are both looking like better selections as 16/1 and 18/1 picks respectively Yasiel Puig winning the NL East and NL Central respectively.

Top Longshot:

Cincinnati
The Reds made a huge trade with the Dodgers to acquire Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, and Alex Wood among others. I know Cincinnati won a paltry 67 games a year ago, but the NL is pretty wide open and I believe the Reds could not only challenge for their NL Central crown but to win it all.

Expert 2019 World Series Prediction

I’m going to get right to the point by saying that I like Houston as my top pick to win the 2019 World Series. Houston almost claimed back-to-back titles before falling in the American League Championship Series, but I believe their added motivation, improved roster – and elite pitching – will help put them over the top this coming season.

The Astros have at least three MVP-caliber stars and a pair of legitimate Cy Young contenders on their roster, plus they have some serious postseason experience.

I’m going with Boston as my second pick and…wait for it…Atlanta as my third and final pick to win the 2019 World Series.