2023 World Series Betting Odds Preview
Spring training games are underway, which means the start of the MLB regular season isn’t far off. For bettors, that means it’s time to review the odds to win the 2023 World Series.
At Bovada Sportsbook, the favorites to win the Fall Classic are the Houston Astros at +600. The reigning World Series champs will attempt to become the first repeat winners since the New York Yankees won three straight titles from 1998 to 2000.
Astros favored with most of championship lineup returning
The Astros will return most of their roster from last year’s championship squad, but there is one major loss following the departure of Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in free agency. Houston expects its rotation to weather the loss of Verlander thanks to holdovers Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr. and Hunter Brown.
Following the Astros on the World Series oddsboard are the New York Mets and New York Yankees, both with +750 odds.
The Mets were the talk of the offseason after they opened their wallet to bring in Verlander, Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana and David Robertson, while also re-signing Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz. Will pairing Verlander and Max Scherzer, former teammates with the Detroit Tigers, be enough to bring the Mets their first World Series crown since 1986?
Judge, Yankees look to usurp Astros in American League
The Yankees gave a dump truck full of money to Aaron Judge to ensure he’ll be around for the next nine years. The Yankees also re-signed Anthony Rizzo and brought in Carlos Rodon to bolster their rotation. Rodon’s signing looks even more important for the Yanks after losing Frankie Montas to a shoulder injury. Will that be enough to finally get the Yankees past Houston in October?
Rounding out the top five in the odds to win the 2023 World Series are the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers, both at +800.
The Braves failed to repeat as World Series champs last season but remain loaded with young talent, including Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider and Ozzie Albies. Atlanta did lose Dansby Swanson in the offseason and will look to Vaughn Grissom to fill the void at shortstop.
The Dodgers will look quite different on Opening Day this season after the departures of Trea Turner, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Tyler Anderson, Joey Gallo, Andrew Heaney and Craig Kimbrel. They’ll also be without Walker Buehler and Gavin Lux for most of the season, if not all of it, due to injury. Remaining are Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias among others, so the Dodgers are still a force to be reckoned with in the NL.
San Diego loads up in bid to win first World Series crown
The Dodgers’ mass exodus could give the San Diego Padres a chance to unseat them in the NL West. San Diego spent a ton in the offseason by signing Xander Bogaerts, Nelson Cruz and Michael Wacha and re-upping with Yu Darvish, Manny Machado and Robert Suarez. Throw in Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. when he returns from a PED suspension and the Padres could be ready to make a run.
One team absent from the top of the World Series odds is the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies lost to Houston in last year’s World Series and the Bovada oddsmakers peg them as +2000 underdogs to get back and win it this season. Philadelphia made a big addition in the offseason in Trea Turner but will also start the season without former MVP Bryce Harper, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
The World Series odds for a few other notable teams include the Toronto Blue Jays at +1200, Seattle Mariners at +1600 and Tampa Bay Rays at +2000.