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After winning the 2020 World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers might have some competition in their attempt to repeat. As of right now, the Dodgers have the best odds to win the 2021 World Series at +450. This offseason, we’ve seen multiple teams upgrade their roster either in free agency or trades. We are going to breakdown what those teams have done and where their odds stand going into the season.
New York Mets
World Series odds: +1200
The New York Mets are one of the few teams who have been active this offseason with new team owner Steve Cohen. After the season ended in October, the Mets odds were at +3300. But they have now improved considerably to +1200 while they are receiving 28% of the handle and 13% of the bets.
New York is also receiving a lot of action to win the National League pennant with the fourth best odds (+600) behind the Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres. Last month, the Mets upgraded their offense with the free-agent signing of catcher James McCann to a four-year deal. Then last week, the Mets pulled off a blockbuster trade, acquiring All-star shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland.
New York gave up a lot to get Lindor, but he brings a career .285 batting average with him to the Big Apple. Meanwhile, Carrasco should be a solid addition to their rotation, which features Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman. It should be interesting to see if the Mets make any more moves as they try to take the NL East crown from the Braves.
2021 World Series betting splits, Jan 15
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
| 1 | NY Mets | +1200 | 28% | 13% |
| 2 | SD Padres | +900 | 22% | 18% |
| 3 | CHI White Sox | +1000 | 20% | 15% |
| 4 | LA Dodgers | +450 | 7% | 15% |
| 5 | NY Yankees | +550 | 6% | 11% |
| 6 | ATL Braves | +1000 | 5% | 6% |
| 7 | MIL Brewers | +4500 | 2% | 1% |
| 8 | BOS Red Sox | +5000 | 2% | 2% |
| 9 | CHI Cubs | +3300 | 1% | 2% |
| 10 | TOR Blue Jays | +4000 | 1% | 1% |
New York Yankees
World Series odds: +550
Staying in New York, the Yankees have the second-best odds behind the Dodgers to win the 2021 World Series. They are fifth in total handle at 6% and tied for fourth with 11% of total bets.
Last season, the Yankees lost to their AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays in six games in the ALDS. New York hasn’t made multiple major moves this offseason, but they did bring back second baseman DJ LeMahieu. The Yankees reportedly re-signed the 32-year-old infielder to a six-year, $90 million deal.
LeMahieu had a tremendous 2020 season at the plate for New York, which led to him finishing third in the AL MVP vote and winning the silver slugger. The veteran slugger slashed .364/.421./.590 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI.
With LeMahieu back in the fold to go along with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the only thing that might hold the Yankees back from winning the World Series is their starting rotation.
2021 ALCS betting splits, Jan 15
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
| 1 | CHI White Sox | +425 | 63% | 38% |
| 2 | NY Yankees | +260 | 21% | 43% |
| 3 | TOR Blue Jays | +1700 | 3% | 2% |
| 4 | OAK Athletics | +825 | 3% | 5% |
| 5 | TB Rays | +650 | 2% | 5% |
| 6 | HOU Astros | +850 | 2% | 2% |
| 7 | BOS Red Sox | +2200 | 2% | 1% |
| 8 | KC Royals | +5000 | 1% | 0% |
| 9 | LA Angels | +2000 | 1% | 1% |
| 10 | MIN Twins | +650 | 1% | 1% |
San Diego Padres
World Series odds: +900
Between these three teams, the Padres might be the sleeper candidates to win the 2021 World Series. Last season, San Diego made a splash at the trade deadline to help their team led by Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. to make a postseason run.
The Padres defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in three games in the wild card round, before getting swept by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. San Diego ended the season with their World Series odds at +1100.
Now with the acquisition of former AL Cy Young pitcher Blake Snell from the Rays, their odds are at +900. San Diego is receiving 22% of the handle and 18% of the bets. In NL pennant betting, the Padres’ odds to win it are +425. They are receiving 32% of the handle, which is tied for the most action, and 23% of the bets, which is second among NL contenders.
2021 NLCS betting splits, Jan 15
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
| 1 | NY Mets | +600 | 47% | 13% |
| 2 | SD Padres | +425 | 32% | 23% |
| 3 | LA Dodgers | +215 | 5% | 34% |
| 4 | ATL Braves | +400 | 4% | 19% |
| 5 | STL Cardinals | +2000 | 3% | 2% |
| 6 | CHI Cubs | +2000 | 2% | 3% |
| 7 | WAS Nationals | +1700 | 2% | 1% |
| 8 | PHI Phillies | +2200 | 1% | 1% |
| 9 | COL Rockies | +4000 | 1% | 1% |
| 10 | MIA Marlins | +3000 | 0% | 1% |
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