2019 World Series Odds: The Early Favourites
The Boston Red Sox look to repeat as World Series Champions, but have two fellow favourites to contend with.
For the second season in a row, the Boston Red Sox sit atop the World Series betting odds prior to the first pitch of the 2019 regular season. But unlike 2018, this year they share that spot with two other clubs: the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees. With 108 victories in 2018, the Bo Sox earned the most wins of any team since the 2001 Seattle Mariners. Once October came, the Red Sox continued their winning ways, losing only three games in three series on the way to securing their second pennant in six years. Have the Sox gotten worse, or have their counterparts improved enough to deserve a share of the 2019 World Series odds mantle?
MLB Odds Breakdown
The 2018 offseason was one to remember. Two of the biggest names on the free agent market, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, were lured to Philadelphia and San Diego respectively with massive paychecks and long-term security. In the case of the Phillies, grabbing Harper resulted in a significant boost to their early season MLB odds, as they now round out our top five at +850. The New York Yankees were also active this offseason, addressing one of their greatest concerns from 2018 by prying away ‘The Big Maple’ from Seattle. Not all moves are good ones, however, as some of the top five favourites opted to stay put in free agency. Read on as a we break down the top five MLB betting favourites.
New York Yankees: +600 MLB Lines
The Bronx Bombers made considerable effort to add depth to their starting rotation over the offseason by trading for James Paxton, re-signing JA Happ and signing Gio Gonzalez. That depth will pay immediate dividends as CC Sabathia and Luis Severino are set to open the regular season on injured list. Once the Yankees have a full complement of healthy starters, they’ll likely have more arms than they know what to do with. Add in the signing of setup man Adam Ottavino and the Yankees’ elite offense, and you have a legitimate contender come October.
Boston Red Sox: +650 MLB Lines
The Boston Red Sox will once again have three of the MLB’s premier players on their roster in 2019 in Mookie Betts, Chris Sale and JD Martinez. However, Boston lost two key pieces in their bullpen when Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel were lost to free agency. Those losses leave the Red Sox with a far thinner bullpen than previous seasons, and as a result, some questions have emerged regarding Boston’s ability to repeat as World Series Champs. Despite those worries, Boston will still have a top-five offense and a starting rotation that can string consecutive victories together when needed. As a result, they’ve garnered enough trust with oddsmakers to again be an MLB betting favourite.
Houston Astros: +650 MLB Lines
Only the aforementioned Boston Red Sox had a better season than the Houston Astros in 2018. They ran away with the AL West, and cruised to the ALCS until they were ultimately defeated by Boston. With 2019 on the horizon, the Astros’ starting position players are much the same, save for the addition of outfielder Michael Brantley in exchange for Marwin Gonzalez. Where Houston will look significantly different in 2019 is in their starting rotation. Gone are Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton; in are Wade Miley and Brad Peacock. That’s hardly an improvement to the Astros’ rotation, but with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole throwing every five days, and a top tier batting lineup providing cushion for their hurlers, Houston is likely to win their division and make noise in the playoffs once again.
Los Angeles Dodgers: +700 MLB Lines
Although the Los Angeles Dodgers have had the most postseason success of any team over the last two years, reaching the World Series in both, they are in the unenviable position of being the runners-up. Getting so close but failing to capture the title left a sour taste in management’s mouth and that resulted in the trading of Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer during the offseason. The Dodgers haven’t gotten better from last year, however, and at press, they’re +700 to win the World Series.
Philadelphia Phillies: +850 MLB Lines
The Philadelphia Phillies gave fans something to cheer about with the signing of highly coveted free agent OF Bryce Harper. Beyond the big splash of Harper, the Phillies added veteran Andrew McCutchen, and traded for Jean Segura to take over at shortstop. Philadelphia has a solid rotation heading into Opening Day, led by Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta, and with that they will surely contend for the NL East and return to postseason relevance.
