The Los Angeles Dodgers opened as World Series betting favorites and continue to hold the top spot on odds boards even after the Shohei Ohtani scandal became public. The Dodgers' odds have actually shortened since the open, suggesting that bettors don't view the issues around Ohtani's interpreter as alarming enough to affect the team's chance of winning the title.
Still, the likes of the Braves, Astros, Yankees and Orioles appear poised to contend for a World Series championship this year, and some of these contenders have seen their odds shortened in recent weeks.
Here are the latest MLB World Series betting odds changes, plus context around the biggest movements and a betting pick for 2024 World Series futures markets.
Latest World Series futures odds
Here are the latest World Series odds at the best MLB betting sites:
More: MLB Betting Sites & Apps | Latest MLB Betting Lines & Odds | What are futures odds?
World Series betting odds movement
The favorites have not changed much throughout spring training, but the Braves, Dodgers and Astros odds have increased slightly.
At the same time, the Orioles' strong camp has pushed them into the top five teams for odds to win the 2024 World Series heading into Opening Day.
More MLB futures betting: American League MVP odds | National League MVP odds | AL Cy Young odds | NL Cy Young odds | MLB strikeout leader odds | Home run leader odds | AL Rookie of the Year odds
World Series favorites 2024
Los Angeles Dodgers World Series odds: Open: +400 | Now:
The Dodgers have already opened the 2024 MLB season, having split the two-game Seoul series against the Padres in Korea. Their 1-1 start has not changed their odds, but their strong spring training moved the market slightly anyway.
Still, the Ohtani situation is something to monitor — if the superstar hitter misses any time, the Dodgers' odds will change drastically. With so much talent on the roster (and in the minors), the Dodgers would remain one of the favorites. But a slow start couple with these distractions could cause their odds to fall — potentially offering value in the futures market.
Atlanta Braves World Series odds: Open: +650 | Now:
The Braves didn't need to do much in free agency after building one of the better cores in baseball in recent years. They've won the NL East in six straight seasons and captured a World Series title in 2021.
Atlanta did make some low-risk moves that could pay off, including trading for former ace lefty Chris Sale, a seven-time all-star. Sale has battled injuries for the last three seasons but last year threw over 100 innings for the first time in three seasons. If he returns to form at only 34 years old, it could be the type of move that helps the Braves get back to the World Series.
Houston Astros World Series odds: Open: +1000 | Now:
The Astros appear ready to compete at the highest level yet again, but there are more questions than normal to start the season. Justin Verlander will miss the season's first few weeks and potentially more. Their acquisition of Josh Hader in the bullpen is big, but the depth won't be the same as it was last season. Last, their center field spot is a bit of a question mark, one they are hoping Jake Meyers can answer.
Still, we know Houston will make moves if they feel they can win another World Series. The Astros, as long as they are firmly in the playoffs, will add relief pitching and potentially lineup help if it will help them get back to the World Series.
New York Yankees World Series odds: Open: +1000 | Now:
The Yankees might not be the juggernaut their fans are accustomed to, but the roster is talented and deep enough to compete. But there is one caveat: Gerrit Cole's injury raises massive questions about the pitching staff.
The best case scenario is Cole comes back after a month or so and is in Cy Young form. Worst case, he can't pitch this year, leaving the Yankees without their ace and making a deep playoff run doubtful.
Baltimore Orioles World Series odds: Open: +1400 | Now:
The Orioles are on the rise, and their odds at many books are around +1100, although you can still find their opening line of +1400 at FanDuel for now. Baltimore's offseason moves were among the most aggressive, demonstrating the team's intention to compete for the World Series. Acquiring Corbin Burnes, a top-of-the-line starter, could be the type of move that puts Baltimore over the top and ready for a deep postseason run.
Faced with the injury of all-star closer Felix Bautista, the Orioles added an excellent one-year fill-in at closer in Craig Kimbrel, who may be older but is still one of the best closers in the game at his best.
MLB futures: Best bets for World Series odds
Seattle Mariners to win the World Series
Seattle barely missed the playoffs last year and will be hungry this year. The core of their team is strong, and they have some budding superstar talent. Players like Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh had 30-plus home run years in 2023, and their continued development, along with pitchers like George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, shows that the team's potential is very high.
All four players are 28 years old or younger, and if they continue to develop, the Mariners will be a sneaky good World Series dark horse candidate.
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