MLB Futures: Current World Series Odds Update
As the trade deadline slowly approached on Wednesday, the typical excitement encircling the cutoff seemed to be very subdued. Then, suddenly, phone screens lit up as teams were fired away as the clock winded down. The implications on MLB futures odds to win the World Series were palpable as teams like the Astros and Braves announced that they were contenders this season. Other teams decided to stand pat and bring their current rosters to the table as the playoff races heat up. Here’s a look at MLB futures and current World Series odds after the trade deadline.
For more general MLB betting tips, check out our MLB betting picks resource page.
MLB Futures and Current World Series Odds
Houston Astros +250 (use our Points Bet promo code to get these odds and for two risk-free bets up to $1000)
The Astros swooped in as the deadline approached and created waves around the MLB with their acquisition of Zack Greinke from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Aside from tightening up an already tight rotation, the Astros also picked up starter Aaron Sanchez and reliever Joe Biagini from the Blue Jays. Sanchez will make his first start on Saturday against the Angels.
At the All-Star Break, the Astros were about +475 to win the World Series. Prior to the trade deadline, Houston rested at +350 just ahead of the New York Yankees to bring home another championship. Now, a couple of days after the acquisitions, the Astros are the favorite to win the World Series on William Hill Sportsbook — passing the Los Angeles Dodgers whose current World Series odds reside at +290.
The big shift in prices is justified with the Astros now the most complete team heading into the playoffs. Now eight games ahead in their division, the move to land Greinke gives the Astros an elite playoff rotation to complement an already potent lineup. All of the moves pushed Houston up to +135 to win the American League.
New York Yankees +500 (use our FanDuel promo code to get these odds)
At the All-Star Break, the Yankees were featured in our 2019 World Series Odds update because of the steady climb up the charts since the preseason. After the Astros big deadline moves, do the Yankees provide some value to futures bettors? The +500 FanDuel Sportsbook World Series price presents the highest return on a Yankees ticket since June.
While the Yankees did make a big acquisition quite some time ago with Edwin Encarnacion coming over from the Mariners, the lack of changes to their pitching staff weighs heavily on bookmakers’ minds after the deadline. On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Bombers are now +200 to win the American League while the Astros are heavily favored at +125.
If you think the Yankees will return to the “Canyon of Heroes” this season, print the ticket on FanDuel. The DraftKings Sportsbookprice currently sits at +425.
Atlanta Braves +1000 (use our William Hill promo code to get these odds)
While the current World Series odds for the Braves are +1000 at William Hill, the Atlanta Braves are all the way up to +850 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The importance of shopping around for prices is clear in the case of the Braves. (Be sure to check the legal MLB betting odds tool at RotoGrinders when comparing daily odds.)
The Braves made a statement to their fan base when acquiring bullpen help in the form of Shane Greene, Mark Melancon, and Chris Martin. Greene was the big domino and will likely take over the ninth inning for the young Braves. Mark Melancon, the 34-year-old veteran, waived his no-trade clause to play for the contending Braves and provides depth and closing experience to the Braves bullpen. Finally, Chris Martin was a hard-throwing control specialist for the Texas Rangers with 43 strikeouts and only four walks across 38 innings this season.
At the All-Star Break, the Braves sat around +1400. The bullpen additions made a clear statement to fans — and bookmakers — about the young team’s desire to contend this season. If speculating on the Braves prospects of winning the National League, venture to FanDuel Sportsbook where the Braves return +400 instead of the +375 price offer from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Cleveland Indians +2000 (use our DraftKings Sportsbook promo code to get these odds)
On the surface, the Indians’ blockbuster transaction a day before the trade deadline does not appear to be a move aimed at boosting playoff hopes. That said, FanDuel Sportsbook thinks otherwise. FanDuel tweeted out World Series odds just before and just after the trade deadline as a reaction to the big Astros moves. Just prior to the deadline, the Indians were +2200 to win the World Series.
The +2200 price offering was a big change considering bettors were getting roughly +3000 around the All-Star Break. The initial climb is likely due to a ridiculous 18-6 July for the Tribe. Now only three games behind the Twins in the American League central, trading Bauer as part of a three-team deal returned Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes to the Indians outfield. Young starter, Logan Allen, was included as part of the deal from the Padres as well.
Puig and Reyes add 22 and 27 home runs, respectively, to a weaker-hitting Indians outfield for the stretch run. Surely, the loss of Bauer impacts the Indians rotation but the move allows the Indians to acquire bigger names in a creative manner. Cleveland has long struggled to lure big free agents and likely utilized all of Bauer’s value to make a big splash.
The future was not the only consideration, though, as the move clearly impacts the Indians chances to make a deep playoff run. The current +1900 price is the best since the beginning of May. Finally, DraftKings Sportsbook offers a better price with a +2000 offering at the time of this writing.
Stick with DraftKings if picking an American League Central victor as the Indians are +165 there to pass the Twins but +130 on FanDuel Sportsbook.
New York Mets +8000
Why the Mets? The Mets were relatively quiet at the trade deadline considering experts thought they could move the likes of Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and Edwin Diaz to help rebuild the franchise. Currently, amidst a seven-game winning streak, the Mets are committed to competing this season while keeping an eye on the future.
The Mets jettisoned starter Jason Vargas to the Phillies on the back of his relatively solid season thus far in Citi Field. Vargas was under control until 2020 but with a team option for next season. The Mets first bolstered an already strong pitching staff with the acquisition of Marcus Stroman — also under control until 2020 — a Long Island native who will hopefully thrive pitching at home.
Stroman will be inserted to a rotation already comprised of deGrom, Syndergaard, Wheeler, and Matz. Oddsmakers have taken notice as the Mets were around +32000 to win the World Series at the All-Star Break. Now at +8000, the Mets have plenty of work to do. Currently, 11 games behind the Braves in the NL East, the Wild Card is the most likely route for the Mets who currently sit four games behind the Nationals, Phillies, and Cubs for the two spots. The Brewers, Giants, and Diamondbacks sit in between the leaders and the Mets, though. While fans are excited, Mets’ brass might regret not taking advantage of resources with so many teams to leapfrog. Regardless, the Mets offer a speculative price despite being a sneaky team with a playoff-ready rotation.
More MLB Futures Updates
Here’s a few more MLB futures updates, current World Series odds and trade summaries for other teams still in the playoff mix. All odds referenced are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Washington Nationals (+2800), Philadelphia Phillies (+3200), and Chicago Cubs (+2100) are all tied for the two Wild Card spots in the National League. The Nationals bolstered their bullpen by acquiring Daniel Hudson, Hunter Strickland, and Roenis Elias. The Phillies added outfielder Corey Dickerson from the Pirates as well as Jason Vargas and Drew Smyly to their rotation. The Cubs bolstered their lineup with rental outfielder Nick Castellanos.
The Milwaukee Brewers (+3000) are two games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central and one game behind the three aforementioned Wild Card leaders. The Brew Crew traded away Jesus Aguilar to the Rays but added Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Lyles to their rotation.
The Los Angeles Dodgers (+290) hold a massive 16-game lead in the NL West and remain a big favorite (-105) to win the National League pennant. The Dodgers added infielder Jedd Gyorko.
The Minnesota Twins (+1500) are three games ahead of the Indians in the AL Central and added Sergio Romo to their bullpen.
And once again, for more general betting tips, reference our MLB Betting Picks Strategy Guide.