The World Series odds have found their rhythm. And while the sweet heat of summer has given way to a fall breeze, the hunt to rule MLB continues. There are lots of contenders in 2024, too.
While the Dodgers remain favored in the World Series odds, the Phillies, Yankees, and Orioles aren’t far behind.
Who Is Favored To Win The 2024 World Series?
Dodgers Back on Top
Shohei Ohtani has done nothing but rake in his first season with the Dodgers, currently holding the chalk spot in the NL MVP odds. While Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts have missed some time, Ohtani has carried the load as he guns for a rare 50-homer, 50-steal season.
The Dodgers briefly lost the top spot to the Phillies but regained the favorite status in the World Series odds after the trade deadline. Clayton Kershaw’s return has helped, as have the deadline additions of Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech.
Phillies Lose Chalk Status, But Not by Much
To the surprise of no one, the Phils are right on the Dodgers’ heels for the top spot in the ’24 World Series odds. Philadelphia currently owns the third-best record in baseball, and with the Braves riddled with injuries, the NL East belongs to the Phillies.
Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner make up a deep, impactful lineup, while the club’s run prevention shines, too. While Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are always reliable, the emergence of Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez, plus bullpen arms like Jeff Hoffman, have made all the difference.
Yankees Worth A Bet
The tandem of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto has been outrageously successful as we inch closer to the MLB All-Star break. Judge is the odds-on favorite to win AL MVP, while Soto remains productive after a brief injury scare.
Initially, the Yankees pitching staff had the second-best team ERA mid-way through June until the wheels came off. July was a messy month for New York’s pitchers, but the staff has recovered with a 4.01 ERA since August 1.
The Bronx Bombers don’t own the best pitching staff in baseball, but with Judge, Soto, Austin Wells, and Jazz Chisholm swinging hot bats, the club should maintain its narrow AL East lead and do some damage in the playoffs. New York is an excellent bet in the World Series odds.
2024 World Series Value Bets
Baltimore Orioles: It’s All Coming Together
The O’s put everyone on notice with a 101-win season in 2023. Unfortunately, Baltimore contrasted that with an immediate playoff sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers.
The Dirty Birds returned to the drawing board and armed themselves with some added firepower for 2024. Former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes joined the squad to great success (3.26 ERA), while Gunnar Henderson has ascended into a potential 50-homer MVP candidate.
Regulars Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle, and Anthony Santander are joined by Colton Cowser, the current chalk in the AL ROTY odds. Baltimore has been inconsistent at times, but the talent is all there, and that’s what matters come playoff time.
Cleveland Guardians: How Much Do You Believe?
Through August, we can’t deny the Guardians’ talent. Steven Kwan is hitting like an elite contact man, while Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor provide the necessary thump to drive him in.
While Cleveland’s rotation recovered nicely from Shane Bieber’s season-ending injury, the club’s bullpen has been the best in baseball, with closer Emmanuel Clase poised to lead the AL in saves for a third straight season.
Betting Strategy for World Series Futures
Evidence suggests waiting before placing World Series futures bets, but if you are keen on a pre-season wager, don’t go with the chalk. In the last 10 seasons, only two pre-season favorites (the 2020 Dodgers and 2016 Cubs) have gone on to win the championship.
A middle-of-the-pack sweet spot has formed over the last decade or so. Four clubs (the 2017 Astros, the 2018 Red Sox, the 2021 Braves, and the 2022 Astros) all began their respective seasons with World Series odds between +1000 and +1200. I’d turn to those ranges for a pre-season bet in 2025.
Last 10 World Series Champions
| Year | World Series Winner | Opening Day Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Texas Rangers | +3200 |
| 2022 | Houston Astros | +1000 |
| 2021 | Atlanta Braves | +1000 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Dodgers | +385 |
| 2019 | Washington Nationals | +1600 |
| 2018 | Boston Red Sox | +1150 |
| 2017 | Houston Astros | +1175 |
| 2016 | Chicago Cubs | +660 |
| 2015 | Kansas City Royals | +3300 |
| 2014 | San Francisco Giants | +2500 |
| 2013 | Boston Red Sox | +2800 |
The biggest long shot to win the World Series in the last decade was the 2015 Kansas City Royals. The ’23 Rangers weren’t far behind either, with +3200 odds to win the championship.
The Royals were coming off a season in which they dominated all the way to the World Series (not losing a single playoff game on the AL side of the bracket) and then pushed the eventual champion Giants to seven games for the title. However, they weren’t getting much respect in preseason odds the next year as KC’s +3300 Opening Day odds to win the title placed the team 17th on the board at the time.
MLB Teams with the Most World Series Titles
| Team | Number of World Series Titles | Most Recent World Series Title |
|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 27 | 2009 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 11 | 2011 |
| Oakland/Philadelphia Athletics | 9 | 1989 |
| Boston Red Sox | 9 | 2018 |
| San Francisco Giants | 8 | 2014 |
The New York Yankees have won the most World Series in MLB history. However, it’s been a while since the Bronx Bombers added to their total. The Yankees last won a World Series in 2009, defeating the Phillies in six games.
MLB Teams That Have Never Won a World Series
| Team | Highest Finish |
|---|---|
| Colorado Rockies | World Series (2007) |
| Milwaukee Brewers | World Series (1982) |
| San Diego Padres | World Series (1998) |
| Seattle Mariners | ALCS (2001) |
| Tampa Bay Rays | World Series (2020) |
Five MLB franchises have yet to win a World Series. The Seattle Mariners are the only team that’s never even been to a World Series final despite having some of the league’s best-ever players like Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, and Ichiro Suzuki.
World Series Betting Trends
- Eight Wild Card teams have gone on to win the World Series (15 have made it)
- Nine teams in MLB history have made a manager change midseason and gone on to make the World Series (including the 2022 Phillies)
- Seven of the last 10 World Series have gone at least six games
- There has been only one World Series sweep since 2010.
- No league (AL or NL) has won more than four World Series in a row since 1979-1982
