We are a couple of weeks into the new MLB season, which as we all know, is much too soon to start talking about who might go on and win the World Series. History has shown that teams who come out of the gate quickly often have a tough time maintaining that pace, while the slow starters sometimes begin to pick up steam and make a run that propels them to the top and sees their odds change dramatically over the course of the season. The odds will change for every team, one way or another, and while it is indeed to early to start making big predictions, we thought it might be fun to compare where teams are now in comparison to their preseason World Series Odds.
Favorites, Smart Picks and Dark Horses for the MLB Season after Week 2
Favorites and Smart Picks
Prior to the start of the season, it was the LA Dodgers who were the clear favorites to win it all. This is no real surprise, as they have been the favorites for the past few seasons given their ability to spend money and lure in the biggest names in the game. The Dodgers are off to a good start, putting together a 12-4 record, while includes going 6-1 at home. They certainly deserve to be the favorite to win the World Series. Right now, they sit at +430.
Over in the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays are at +660 to win the championship. They too are living up to their billing, putting together an 11-6 record, which is good enough to have them sitting atop the AL East. It does look as though that is going to be a very competitive division, though, so certainly one to keep an eye on.
The New York Mets are at +820 to win the World Series and look like the smart pick, too, at the moment. We say that because they are very much living up to expectations at 13-5 on the season, but also because the NL East looks to be pretty weak, with no other team sitting above .500 right now.
Dark Horses
The San Francisco Giants are currently sitting at +1600 to win the World Series, but those odds might not stay that way for long. They are at 12-5 on the season and are just a half game off the pace being set by the LA Dodgers atop the NL West. Maintaining that pace might be tough, but the Giants are looking very good on offense and defense in the early going.
With their current odds of +2600 to win the World Series, not a lot of bettors are dropping money on the Seattle Mariners. They are on a great run of form right now, winning 8 of their last 10, which has them sitting atop the AL West. I don’t see them staying there, but I would ride them while they are hot.
It is maybe odd to have the New York Yankees as a dark horse, but their current odds of +1175 suggests that it’s exactly how they need to be labeled. The Yankees are pushing the Jays at the top of the AL East in the early going, putting together a 10-6 record. If they are to continue to compete for the top spot, they will need to be better on the road than their current .500 record.
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