MLB Betting: 2021 World Series Futures Odds
With spring training in full swing and opening day less than a month away, it’s a good time to review the latest World Series futures odds.
At Bovada Sportsbook, the favorite on the World Series futures board is the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at +300. This should come as no surprise after the Dodgers added National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer during the offseason. They’ll essentially be adding a pair of aces as former AL Cy Young winner David Price will be returning after opting out last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dodgers favored to repeat as World Series champions
Following the Dodgers in the World Series odds are the New York Yankees at +600 and the San Diego Padres at +750.
The Yankees still boast a powerful lineup led by Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and DJ LeMahieu, but their chances at a World Series could depend on their starting rotation. New York took a chance on Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon, who have combined to pitch less than 80 innings the last two seasons. Both have boom-or-bust potential, depending on their health.
The San Diego Padres are going all-in after an extremely busy offseason. Not only did they re-up Fernando Tatis Jr. for 14 years, but they also added starters Blake Snell, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove. San Diego upgraded so much that last year’s opening day starter, Chris Paddack, is now the fifth man in their rotation.
Rounding out the top five on the World Series futures oddsboard are the Chicago White Sox at +850 and the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, both at +1000 odds.
White Sox supplement young talent with veteran adds
The White Sox are loaded with young talent including Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson, but they also added a few impact veterans in the offseason in Lance Lynn, Liam Hendriks and Adam Eaton.
It looks like the Braves and Mets will battle for top spot in the NL East this season.
Atlanta brought in Charlie Morton to add a veteran presence to its young rotation and also re-signed slugger Marcell Ozuna. Don’t forget the Braves also still have NL MVP Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr.
The Mets made a lot of noise in the offseason by adding Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, James McCann and Taijuan Walker. With Jacob deGrom and Pete Alonso still around, the Mets could dethrone Atlanta atop the division.
Jays, Cards, Nats present value in World Series odds
If you are looking for dark horses in the early World Series odds, your best bets may be the Toronto Blue Jays at +2000, the St. Louis Cardinals at +2200 and the Washington Nationals at +3500.
Toronto made some noise in the offseason by adding George Springer and Marcus Semien to its lineup of young bats. The Cardinals stole Nolan Arenado from Colorado and could be the team to beat in an NL Central Division that’s full of teams rebuilding or stuck in neutral. Washington still has its big three of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, as well as newly added veteran Jon Lester. The additions of Brad Hand, Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber could also push the Nationals into the contender conversation.