With the summer coming to an end, it’s time to turn our minds toward the Major League Baseball postseason. While we’re seeing some teams making some leaps toward the top of their divisions, the oddsmakers have kept the favorites the same. Let’s take a look at the top three favorites to win the Fall Classic this season, along with their MLB World Series odds.
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Los Angeles Dodgers +260
How ironic is it that the Dodgers are the favorites to win the World Series, yet they aren’t even leading their own division? The Dodgers have been hot as of late, going 9-1 in their last ten games and trimming the San Francisco Giants division lead down to 1.5 games.
When the Dodgers acquired Trea Turner and Max Scherzer from the Washington Nationals, many felt that this move put them over the top. They will now boast a starting rotation of Scherzer, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, and, when he returns, Clayton Kershaw. This could be a deadly group for opponents to deal with in the postseason.
As for the Dodgers offense, we’re not sure that there’s a better group in baseball. Turner has been on fire, and he has a dynamic group of hitters behind him. Max Muncy, Mookie Betts, Justin Turner, and Corey Seager have a lot of punch. If last year’s World Series MVP, Cody Bellinger, can shake out of his season-long slump, it’ll be hard to stop Los Angeles.
The one Dodger weakness is the bullpen. Closer Kenley Jansen has had some issues closing games this year, and the rest of the bullpen has had their moments as well. If they can get things figured out, that will go a long way in helping the Dodgers win it all.
Houston Astros +450
Houston is out to prove to everyone that they have put the cheating issues behind them and that they can win a World Series fair and square. The Astros have a well-balanced squad. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa have led a powerful Houston offense. Houston’s offense leads baseball in batting average and are near the top in OBP, slugging percentage, RBI’s, and home runs.
The pitching staff has been quite good this season. They have a rotation full of power arms that can strike people out at a high rate. Houston solidified their already strong bullpen at the trade deadline by acquiring Kendall Gravemen from the Seattle Mariners.
Houston’s starters know that when they turn the game over to the bullpen that the game is in good hands.
Chicago White Sox +650
What a turnaround it has been for the White Sox. They tore down a team a few years ago and built this team from the ground up. Led by Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, and a group of young sluggers, the White Sox offense has put up tremendous numbers this season.
The White Sox have put together a stellar starting pitching staff. Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Carlos Rodon, Dallas Keuchel, and Dylan Cease could be the best rotation in baseball. They’ll be tough to handle in the postseason.
Put them together with a group of flamethrowers in the bullpen, and it’ll be tough for their opponents to score runs. The acquisition of Craig Kimbrel at the trade deadline made their already stellar bullpen a lot stronger.
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