With the first half of the 2021 MLB season in the books along with the MLB All-Star Game, it is a good time to look at the updated World Series odds. Before the season began, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the favorites to win the World Series with +350 odds. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees had the second-best odds with +550 odds.
Surprisingly, neither the Dodgers nor Yankees are in first place in their respective divisions as the San Francisco Giants are in first place in the NL West, while the Boston Red Sox are in first place in the AL East. Can the LA Dodgers make another deep playoff run in the second half? Or will a new team be crowned the new world champions in October? All odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Favorites to win the World Series
1. Dodgers (+370) - To no one’s surprise Los Angeles still has the best odds to win the World Series for the second consecutive season. The Dodgers are only 2 games behind the Giants for first place in the NL West. Los Angeles still has a dynamic pitching rotation, despite not having Trevor Bauer, who is on administrative leave. The Dodgers also dealt with their fair share of injuries in the first half (Cody Bellinger), but should be healthy to make a run in the competitive NL West.
2. Astros (+650) - Many fans and analysts did not know what to expect from the Astros this season after everything that transpired in 2020. However, they’ve been as advertised with a sold lineup and a rotation that has a mixture of young and veteran pitchers. Houston is 55-36 and lead the Oakland Athletics by 3.5 games in the AL West.
Potential sleeper picks
1. White Sox (+800) - Despite them having one of the best records in the American League, the White Sox are still considered a sleeper to win the World Series with +800 odds. Before the season began, Chicago’s odds to win it was +850. They have a good rotation led by two AL Cy Young candidates in Carlos Rodon and Lance Lynn. Not to mention, they have three solid starters behind them in Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel, and Dylan Cease. The White Sox should be able to make a deep run in the playoffs this season.
2. Brewers (+1300) - A lot of people aren’t talking about the Brew Crew, who have one of the best starting rotations in the National League. Milwaukee has a great trio of starting pitchers in Freddy Peralta, Corbin Burnes, and Brandon Woodruff. All three starters have ERAs under 3.00 and over 120+ strikeouts. When a team has that type of pitching on the mound, it will carry them far. The only thing that might hold back the Brewers is their offense, which is only hitting .219 on the season.
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