Join us as we take a look at the current 2024 World Series odds from the betting industry’s top sportsbooks below, as well as some history and betting advice.
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Latest 2024 World Series Odds
| The Elite | The Contenders | The Pretenders | The Longshots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers +310 | Guardians +1800 | Cardinals +6000 | Blue Jays +10000 |
| Yankees +400 | Twins +2800 | Red Sox +6000 | Pirates +15000 |
| Phillies +450 | Brewers +2800 | Giants +6000 | Tigers +15000 |
| Orioles +900 | Rangers +3500 | Cubs +7500 | Nationals +20000 |
| Braves +1100 | Padres +4000 | Rays +8000 | Angels +40000 |
| Mariners +1400 | Royals +4000 | Mets +8000 | Athletics +40000 |
| Astros +1600 | Diamondbacks +5000 | Reds +8500 | Marlins +50000 |
| Rockies +50000 |
We see that the odds are not a precise reflection of how these teams are doing in terms of wins and losses. The Dodgers, for example, are so heavily favored because the talent level of their roster is uniquely strong, with its array of former MVPs and well-reputed pitchers.
In looking at the odds, and in understanding why the odds are what they are, we can reasonably disagree. For example, if we recognize that talent does not necessarily produce results, then we might come to reason that the Dodgers are being overrated by oddsmakers and, therefore, are not worth investing in.
We might look at Baltimore’s roster and appreciate its potential to beat any of its World Series opponents. Indeed, the Orioles have won series against the Braves, Phillies, and Yankees even though they faced the Yankees on the road.
Underrated Teams
To me, it looks like Baltimore is being underrated tremendously by the oddsmakers. While the Orioles fell flat in last year’s playoffs, we know that playoff baseball is very different from the regular season and therefore rewards experience. Baltimore got that experience last year and will profit from it in this year’s playoffs.
The roster is stacked in terms of hitting and pitching, with power guys like Gunnar Gunnar Henderson whose BA is also great and with several good pitchers besides Corbin Burnes and a host of relievers with sub-three ERAs.
An investment with Baltimore, especially at the current price, is extremely reasonable.
American League Odds
| The Elite | The Contenders | The Pretenders |
|---|---|---|
| Yankees +235 | Royals +1300 | Blue Jays +10000 |
| Orioles +350 | Red Sox +4000 | Tigers +10000 |
| Guardians +425 | Rangers +4500 | Angels +20000 |
| Mariners +700 | Rays +7000 | Athletics +20000 |
| Astros +750 | White Sox +35000 | |
| Twins +800 |
National League Odds
| The Elite | The Contenders | The Pretenders |
|---|---|---|
| Dodgers +160 | Cardinals +3000 | Nationals +15000 |
| Phillies +275 | Diamondbacks +3000 | Marlins +20000 |
| Braves +475 | Giants +3000 | Rockies +30000 |
| Brewers +675 | Cubs +3000 | |
| Padres +1200 | Mets +3500 | |
| Reds +5000 | ||
| Pirates +7500 |
Analyzing the Elite Teams for the 2024 World Series
According to Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review), the most favored World Series contenders are the Dodgers at +310 to win the World Series, followed by the Yankees at +400 and the Phillies at +450.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Odds do not predict reality. The odds often reflect things like player talent and public perception that do not lead to expected outcomes. The Dodgers, for example, are most favored because of the player talent that they have. But the most talented team in a given sport does not always win that sport’s championship. Last year’s Diamondbacks, for example, were certainly not the most talented team in the NL and nobody expected them to make the World Series, and yet they proved to have what it takes to be a contender.
That being said, sometimes great talent does produce correspondingly great results, and the Dodgers, given their quality as a team, are certainly worth taking a look at.
L.A. looks like the best team in the NL West and it might finish with the most wins out of any team. The Dodgers are dangerous because they can win on the road. They beat the Yankees, for example, two out of three times in New York.
Impressively, none of L.A.’s most well-known pitchers got a win in that series. Gavin Stone did, for example, but nobody expected him to do what he’s doing now. Stone’s ERA was 9.00 last season, and he has improved tremendously in terms of ERA and win percentage. The Dodgers have a deep pitching staff with several good starters and relievers. Hence, they are reliably able to deploy strong pitchers even while key guys, such as Walker Buehler, remain injured for the moment. Their lineup also boasts three former MVP winners in Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Shohei Ohtani.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are also an impressive contender. They have a greater recent history of performing well in the playoffs. But their talent level is also strong. They have a superb record despite the fact that Nick Castellanos and Whit Merrifield have been underperforming tremendously. Thanks to guys like Alec Bohm, Trea Turner, and of course Bryce Harper, their lineup is still one of baseball’s best even while those two struggle.
They also boast some of baseball’s best pitchers, led by Zack Wheeler, who is a reliable postseason weapon. Aaron Nola is also bouncing back from his poor season last year, giving Philly an excellent one-two punch in the starting rotation.
San Diego Padres
One legitimate contender that is being underrated by oddsmakers is San Diego. Caesars lists the Padres at +4000 to win the World Series, but their chances are in reality much stronger.
Since going 37-40, they have figured things out. I expect them to continue winning at a high rate because they have several talented hitters. Many of their guys hit strongly in terms of BA and slug well, too. When slugger Fernando Tatis and Xander Bogaerts get healthy – and when the latter starts turning things around – San Diego’s lineup will become all the more dangerous.
The same point applies to San Diego’s pattered pitching staff. It’s worth taking a flyer on the Padres before their odds become less attractive as they win more games.
New York Yankees
As for dangerous NL teams, the Yankees have sometimes looked like a weak hitting team. But the lineup is always dangerous with slugger Aaron Judge – as evident in the lineup’s statistical decline last year when he was injured. Plus, some talented hitters are currently injured but should return. It is expected, for example, that Anthony Rizzo returns. He will give his lineup a reliable left-handed bat.
New York’s strength is its pitching. The Yankees are one of the best teams at limiting opposing scoring. Closer Clay Holmes did not give up a run for nearly the first two months of the season. While he’s slumping now, his early-season success attests to his potential to dominate for long stretches of time. He was a reliable bullpen option in previous years, too, so one has to expect him to rediscover his form. He’ll close games out, allowing the Yankees to be very good at winning low-scoring games.
Of course, New York’s strong rotation is likewise helpful to this regard. The Yanks acquired well-reputed pitchers from different teams. Of those, Marcus Stroman has a strong ERA, while one has to expect Carlos Rodon to rediscover the excellence that he displayed before this season.
Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore is another contender, a team that will challenge the Yankees in the AL East. The Orioles have several batters who can hit above .270, proving their lineup to be well-rounded. Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander are always liable to hit a home run.
As for its pitching, Baltimore is loving its acquisition of Corbin Burnes. The Orioles were also able to exceed 100 wins last season, and Burnes will help them do so again. Baltimore as a team hopefully learned from wetting its feet in the playoffs last year.
Boston Red Sox
As for an underappreciated AL team, Boston deserves more respect than it’s getting. The Red Sox are listed at +6000 at Caesars Sportsbook to win the World Series, yet they took two out of three games against both the Phillies and Yankees. They thus proved that they can beat the best teams.
Hitting-wise, they are led by the power of Rafael Devers and Tyler O’Neill. Pitching-wise, they own one of the top bullpens and are led by starters like the strongly improved Tanner Houck and other pitchers who have proven in previous seasons to be capable of much more than they’re currently showing.
Key Players
Baltimore’s star starting pitcher Corbin Burnes is worth highlighting. He throws five pitches: cutter, curveball, slider, changeup, and sinker. The quality of his pitching arsenal enables him to be effective against both righties and lefties. His pitches have power, with his cutter averaging around 95 mph. Heat maps also show the consistency of their strong location. He also has weapons to rely on against opposite-handed batters. Foremost of these is his changeup, which yields an absurdly low BA.
For the Dodgers, James Paxton was a significant acquisition. He gives them a reliable lefty arm. Paxton is so hard to hit in part due to his unique arsenal. His second-most frequent pitch is a knuckle curve. This is just one of his pitches that yields a very low BA.
Tommy Kahnle provides proof of the depth of New York’s cast of pitchers. This reliever is a reliable option primarily because of the extent to which he is able to lean on his changeup. This is by far his favorite pitch to throw, and, as evident in the very low BA it yields, batters repeatedly struggle to figure it out. Its consistently low, border-line location helps explain why its whiff rate is so high.
2024 World Series Schedule
- Game 1: October 25
- Game 2: October 26
- Game 3: October 28
- Game 4: October 29
- Game 5: October 30
- Game 6: November 1
- Game 7: November 2
How to Watch the 2024 World Series
You can watch the MLB playoffs on FOX, FSI, ESPN, ESPN 2, and TBS.
Playoff games can also be streamed via YouTube TV, fuboTV, Sling TV, and Huli.
How To Sign up at a Sportsbook to Bet on the 2024 World Series
- Step 1: Pick A Site. Bet365 and Caesars are both examples of solid sportsbooks.
- Step 2: Sign Up. Register your account. You’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself.
- Step 3: Make A Deposit. Stay on the lookout for deals and offers.
- Step 4: Place Your Bets. Know what sportsbooks are offering.
Last 5 World Series Champions: Interesting Facts
2019
Houston was listed at -235 to win its series against Washington, which was listed at +195. The Nationals won the series in seven games. This win was memorable for them because, 50 games into the season, they were twelve games below .500. They also proved to be a clutch team, as part of their overcoming a 3-2 series deficit.
2020
The Dodgers were listed at -210 to defeat Tampa Bay. This will always be known as the COVID-era title. Teams had to endure ridiculous obstacles, such as extended player absences, as a result of dealing with the virus. L.A. won its first title since 1988.
2021
Houston was listed at -140 to win its series against Atlanta, which was listed at +120. The Braves won the series in six games. Atlanta is a great example of a team getting hot at the right time. The Braves were the only postseason team that hadn’t won 90 regular season games.
2022
The Astros were listed at -200 to win their series versus the Phillies. This win is memorable because of the dominance of its pitching. Houston won Game 4, for example, with a combined no-hitter, which is an extremely rare feat.
2023
The Rangers were listed at -165 to beat the Diamondbacks. In Game 5, which won them the series, they had to overcome a no-hit bid from Arizona’s starter. They were evidently a resilient team.
How to Bet on the 2024 World Series
First, you should know what the best sportsbooks are, and you can do this by checking out our exhaustive reviews of all the top betting sites.
Pick Your Favorite Sportsbook
Register at one of the best sportsbooks and make your deposit.
Then, take a tour of their betting options. Different websites will look different, so you’ll want to just click around until their landscape of betting options feels familiar to you. These websites are all set up in intuitive ways, so you’ll have no problem gaining this familiarity.
You’ll be able to bet on individual baseball games, baseball props, futures, and so on.
Consider Every Factor
My best piece of advice for bettors is to progress past thinking who will win. This is what novices do because they are not familiar with the concept of betting value. Those who bet longer recognize that prices are crucial to sports betting in general. This is because we are playing with a bankroll and we are trying to win money – “bankroll” and “money” are of course quantifiable terms, so we have to think in terms of quantities.
If we focus on being open-minded about investing in underdogs, long shots, then we can achieve larger payouts and create a larger margin of error for ourselves. If we get too comfortable with betting on favorites, then we have fewer games to lose until we reach a certain deficit. Of course, some favorites are worth investing in.
My point here is to focus on getting good prices. If a team is, in your mind, not favored strongly enough, then you should consider betting on it even if it is priced highly. That being said, for individual games, I can’t stomach the thought of investing in a money-line at -150 or greater. That is just too expensive for me. If you are so confident in a team that you want to invest in it at such a price, then you must be confident that it will win by multiple runs. Therefore, you should play that team on the run-line.
Think About Your Bankroll
My next piece of advice is to think about bankroll. It is fun to think about games because games are fun and entertaining, but we have to do the “grind work” of thinking about finances, too, because finances are what allow us to have fun betting on games in the first place. My recommendation here is to be what is called a flat bettor. You should wager the same amount in order to avoid taking too great a loss in a given game.
While losing is hard, you can’t be afraid to lose. Scared money does not make money. You have to bet within your limits so that you can be sure to have fun and to just relish your freedom after you’ve done the hard work of handicapping.
2024 World Series Betting Strategy
When betting on the World Series, you’ll want to think about what goes into the stats that you look at when deciding what to bet.
The main point here is that the stats that we look at are not so useful as they seem at first. In fact, they are often misleading.
This is so in two respects. One, the stats that we most easily encounter are season-long stats. This is a problem because the season in baseball is very long. Teams start playing at the end of March, and yet the World Series takes place in October.
Teams – as well as the players that make up those teams – will change in several respects. They will improve or get worse. They will get worse or improve in different ways that will become relevant to know in a given game. For example, they might become worse against left-handed pitching. They might become better in general.
As such, statistics that were shaped by games taking place so long ago in March or April certainly lose their relevance. That’s why, to make my point clear, nobody considers stats from previous seasons when considering what bets to place in a game this season.
Focus on Recent Stats
So, you’ll want to look at more recent stats, restricting their calculations to more recent months.
Teams also might get hot in the postseason, which should lead you to consider restricting yourself to focusing on even more recent periods.
Dig into Performance Metrics
The stats that we normally encounter are also deceptive because they conceal a lot of what is really going on. For example, an “out” leads to a batter being 0-for-1. But “0-for-1” does not account for how that batter failed to hit.
There is a big difference between a hitter who softly grounds out and a hitter who rockets a ball that happens to find the glove of an opposing fielder.
When considering what bets to place, you’ll want to look beneath the surface, at metrics like xSLG (expected slugging rate) to see how hitters and lineups are truly performing. For pitchers, my favorite metric is FIP, which is like ERA but factors out fielding.
Moreover, you’ll want to look at specific matchups. For example, it might be tempting to bet on a team with a great lineup, but even the best lineups have weaknesses. For example, you should look at whether they perform well against left-handed pitchers when they are facing a left-handed starter.
Monitor Line Movements
My final piece of advice is to monitor games you’re interested in for any changes that take place. If you suddenly see a significant line movement, then this likely means that something occurred that could alter your betting decision. A team might, for example, switch starting pitchers in the last minute.
What is the World Series?
Every baseball postseason culminates with the World Series. It is equivalent, in its importance, to the NFL’s Super Bowl in the sense that the winning team will be crowned champion of that season.
The significance of the World Series is palpable while it’s being played. As a spectator, one feels a certain intensity and gravity that do not exist at least to the same extent during regular season games. In the World Series, everything is on the line, so players give their very best, and the fans are moved by higher levels of nervousness and anticipation.
Because of the World Series’ significance, it is more likely to be memorable. The amazing plays – dives, leaps, etc. – that take place throughout the entire baseball season adopt greater significance in the World Series because of their consequences. Many of baseball’s greatest moments, therefore, are considered to have taken place in the World Series.
One example of such a moment is Jim Leyritz’s home run in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series, which helped shift the momentum of that series to his team’s side. His Yankees would go on to win the series. If he had hit that home run in the regular season against the same team, then it would not be remembered today. But he’s now considered a legend because he hit it during the World Series.
Jim Leyritz was a New York Yankee. His ability to help his team win the 1996 World Series is just one moment in the franchise’s long stretch of success. The Yankees, in total, have captured 27 World Series titles, 16 more than the Cardinals in second place.
The Yankees’ first World Series title came in 1923. As historically extensive as the Yankees’ World Series success has been, the history of the World Series goes much further back. The year of the first World Series is 1903. The Boston Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in what was back then a best-of-nine series.
The Road to the World Series
Getting to the World Series requires teams to make the playoffs in the first place. The playoffs have recently undergone an expansion, making playoff qualification a real possibility for more teams at later points in the season.
There are twelve teams in total that make the playoffs, six in each league, the American League (AL) and National League (NL).
One way in which a team makes the playoffs is by winning its division. There are three divisions in each league, so there will be three division winners in each league.
There will also be three Wild Card teams in each league. To earn a Wild Card berth, a team must have one of the three best records in its respective league, excluding the division winners.
Seeding
After making the playoffs, the next step on the path to the World Series is to win every round up until the World Series itself. The top two seeds in each league will have one less round to win because they get a first-round bye. The other teams will play as follows: the three seed against the six seed and the four seed against the five seed. The number one seed will face the winner of the latter series and the second seed gets the winner of the former series.
The World Series is won by the team that wins four games against its World Series opponent. The team with the best record will get home field advantage. If both teams have the same record, then a sequence of tiebreakers are available to determine who will get it. The first tiebreaker is which team has won more games against the other.
How To Read MLB Betting Lines And Odds
Moneylines
You are betting on the winner. This can be the winner of a game or series.
For example, the Phillies ML might be -300 in a given game against the Yankees.
Run Lines
You are betting on a team to cover the spread.
For example, if the Yankees run-line is +1.5 in a given game, then those who play this will win if the Yankees win or if they lose by only one run. If you bet on the Phillies run-line at -1.5, then you’ll need the Phillies to win by at least two runs.
Totals
You are betting on the number of runs that both teams combine for.
For example, let’s say that the over/under for a given game is seven runs. By betting on the “under,” you are wagering that both teams will combine for fewer than seven runs. An “over” bet amounts to saying that both teams will score a combined total of more than seven runs.
A “push” happens when the final score of a game equals the over/under. If this game ends with seven runs exactly, then you’ll just get your money back.
Prop Bets
There are a variety of different bets, such as number of strikeouts, how long a pitcher will last, and so on.
For example, you might want to wager that Bryce Harper will have multiple hits in a given game.
First Five Innings
You are betting on the outcome of the first five innings. This will be an appropriate bet if you like the starting pitcher matchups but not the team’s respective bullpen.
For example, if the Dodgers are playing the Yankees and you think that James Paxton will outperform Carlos Rodon, then you might play the Dodgers but stick to a first-five bet.
Live Betting
A game’s odds will shift over the course of its duration, such that the odds no longer match the pre-game odds.
For example, let’s say that the Yankees ML is +250 before the game. In the first inning, they might race out to a 2-0 lead. The live Yankees ML might become +150. But their opponent’s odds would become more attractive, so you might consider wagering on their opponent because teams that race out to early leads often still lose the game. Nine innings is a long time!
You should engage in live betting because many opportunities become available that were not available before a given game. There are circumstances to consider here that can take place in a game. For example, if you really like a team’s starting pitcher and you see that that pitcher is racing through innings with a low pitch count, then you might want to invest in that team for the full game.
2023 World Series Recap
Last year, the World Series teams were the Texas Rangers (-165) and Arizona Diamondbacks (+145).
Unexpected Contenders
Texas was not expected to reach the World Series. In fact, the Rangers were not expected to advance past the Wild Card round. But they won, despite being strong underdogs in each game, against Tampa Bay. They then beat the 101-win Orioles before advancing past the rival, playoff-experienced Astros.
Arizona, too, was a surprise World Series participant, reminding us of the value that we should find in less favored teams. The Diamondbacks had to win both road games to advance past their first round. They then had to upset the mega-talented Dodgers before surprising the experienced Phillies.
And the Winner Is…
In the World Series, Texas won the series in five games. Guys like Marcus Semien improved. Corey Seager was the MVP mostly because of his clutch hitting in Games 1 and 3. In Game 5, Nathan Eovaldi pitched six shutout innings, keeping his team competitive while Arizona’s starter was dealing a no-hitter.
The Dodgers were a significant disappointment given their big names. Clearly, we can’t just bet on teams laden with big names because their degree of reliability is skewed by the praise lavished upon them by sports media. Sports media is a dangerous thing because it values big names and easily induces bettors to fall in love with them. We have to look at the less appreciated players and teams. This is the terrain on which we’ll find attractive prices and land great payouts.
The Yankees did not make the playoffs. This was a disappointing result for a franchise that is more associated with World Series greatness than any other franchise.
Understand Postseason Strategy
Postseason baseball is different from the regular season.
Teams might rely on starters to come out of the bullpen. They might lean on just a couple of relievers. If the latter is the case, then you’ll want to consider whether those relievers are fresh or not.
Remember the basic betting fundamentals of setting a budget.
Be sure to monitor things like injuries and weather, and bet with your head, not your heart.
Have fun while you’re wagering.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About the World Series
Can I attend a World Series game?
Yes, but it is hard to do. You won’t know where the World Series will be located until the respective AL and NL winners are determined. So, you’ll have to be able to make last-minute plans. You’ll have an advantage if you are flexible with your schedule. You’ll also want to be someone who buys tickets for one of the teams regularly.
When will I know which teams are playing in the World Series?
Are World Series games still nine innings?