We’re almost halfway through the 2019 MLB season, with the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game right around the corner. The MLB All-Star Break officially starts Monday, and there have been plenty of shakeups over the course of the first half of the season. Some teams have disappointed their fanbase while others have been a pleasant surprise. Let’s look at some of the biggest changes in MLB betting odds to win the World Series since Opening Day.
For more general MLB betting tips, check out our MLB betting picks resource page.
Los Angeles Dodgers +210
A little over three months into the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have gone from +750 to +210, making themselves heavy favorites to win the 2019 World Series according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Dodgers were the first team to reach 60 wins, and with just a few days remaining until the MLB All-Star Break, the next closest team has only 56 wins. Their league-leading record has leap-frogged them in front of the Yankees, Red Sox and Astros — all of which were bigger favorites to win the World Series on Opening Day. This team can break the franchise record of 104 wins. Remarkably, they’ve gotten to this point without much help from their bullpen. As pointed out by ESPN’s David Schoenfield, the bullpen ranks 11th in ERA and 24th in win probability added.
If you’re looking to back the chalk, you can get slightly better odds of +275 at BetStars Sportsbook.
Boston Red Sox +3200
While the Dodgers are favored to make it back to the World Series, it’s unlikely that they’ll get a rematch with the Boston Red Sox. The 2018 World Series champs are in jeopardy of missing the postseason for the first time since 2015, as you can clearly see in their futures odds to win the World Series. The Red Sox opened +650 to defend their title, only slightly behind the New York Yankees. Their odds have fallen from +650 to +3200 at Fanduel, which is much better value than +2500 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Boston got off to a slow start, winning only three for their first 12 games. Since then, the Red Sox have looked better, but despite a winning 46-41 record, they still have plenty of catching up to do. They currently sit behind two teams in the AL East and are 2.5 games back from a wild card spot. The Red Sox problems start with pitching, particularly from Chris Sale who looks like a shadow of his former self. Sale’s 2019 ERA is 4.04, almost two runs higher than his 2.11 ERA in 2018.
New York Yankees +350
Unlike the Red Sox, the New York Yankees have not underachieved after entering the season with high expectations. Thanks to the Dodgers amazing start, the Yankees are no longer the favorites as they were on Opening Day, but their implied probability of winning the World Series has increased. New York’s odds have moved from +600 to +350, despite facing a score of injuries early in the year. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, along with other starters like Miguel Andujar, Didi Gregorius
Unless something crazy happens, the Yankees (-1200) will easily win a weak AL East. They still have to fend off the Astros and the Twins to win the American League pennant, which won’t be as simple
Atlanta Braves +750
One of the more surprising teams in the National League
The Braves’ young team won the NL East last year with 90 wins, but not everyone was sold on them being World Series contenders in 2019. The Braves have improved though, winning 52 games — six more than the next closest NL team (aside from the Dodgers). Most recently, the Braves picked up former Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Kuechel. After holding out at the beginning of the season, Keuchel made his 2019 debut on June 21. He struggled in his first two appearances, giving up eight hits in each outing. Keuchel looked much better a few days ago, giving up only five hits and two earned runs in seven innings. Atlanta hasn’t won a World Series title since 1995, but the former Cy Young winner entering the rotation helps their chances. If you’re a believer in the Braves, PointsBet has them at +900 to win the World Series. Anything can happen in October, after all.
And once again, for more general MLB betting tips, reference our MLB Betting Picks Strategy Guide.
(Top Photo: USA TODAY Sports)