World Series Odds: Dodgers Still Lead The Way
With just under a month left in the regular season, oddsmakers still believe the Los Angeles Dodgers are headed for a World Series repeat.
In the latest World Series futures odds at Bovada Sportsbook, the Dodgers remain on top at +300. That’s despite still sitting in second place in the NL West after losing two of three games vs the San Francisco Giants earlier this week. If the Dodgers can’t overtake the Giants in the division, they’ll head to the wild-card playoff where anything can happen in one game.
Rays second on World Series oddsboard
Following the Dodgers on the World Series futures board are the Tampa Bay Rays at +390 and the Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers, all at +550.
The Rays look to have a comfortable lead in the AL East with a nine-game cushion over the second-place Boston Red Sox. It’s not all smooth sailing to the end of the regular season for Tampa Bay, though, as the Rays have six games against the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays, a three-game series against the Houston Astros and they finish off with three games in New York against the Yankees.
The goal for the White Sox should be to get their pitchers healthy for the end of the regular season. Ace Lance Lynn is on the IL with a knee injury, Lucas Giolito is out with a hamstring injury and Carlos Rodon has been dealing with shoulder soreness and fatigue. The Sox have the AL Central nearly locked up, but their playoff fate could depend on whether any of their banged-up starters can’t go come the postseason.
MLB-best Giants present value at +700
The best value in World Series futures right now looks to be the Giants at +700. San Francisco continues to get very little respect from the oddsmakers despite owning the best record in baseball, putting them ahead of the favored Dodgers in the NL West. One thing that may be concerning about the Giants is their 14-15 combined record against the Dodgers, Brewers and Atlanta Braves, teams they are most likely to face in the postseason.
The World Series odds for other teams currently occupying playoff spots include the Braves at +1600, the Yankees at +1100, the Red Sox at +2200 and the San Diego Padres at +3300.
The biggest dark horse for bettors right now could be the Blue Jays at +3300. If the playoffs started today, the Blue Jays would be left out, but after reeling off seven straight wins, they’re only 1.5 games back of the final wild-card spot in the AL. If Toronto can sneak into the postseason, the Jays’ young hitters and surprisingly good starting pitching could be dangerous.