The weather outside might not feel like it, but baseball season is finally here. Pitchers and catchers have started to report to either Arizona or Florida, and there will be official Spring Training games taking place in less than two weeks.
Major League Baseball was forced to shorten the 2020 season to just 60 games, but a full 162-game schedule will take place this season. Now that teams are heading to camp, let’s take a look at the updated betting odds to win the 2021 World Series.
The Favorites – Odds From DraftKings
- Los Angeles Dodgers +350
- New York Yankees +550
- San Diego Padres +800
- Chicago White Sox +850
Entering the 2021 MLB season, there are four teams that have emerged as the betting favorites. It is no surprise that the Los Angeles Dodgers are currently the favorites as they are the reigning World Series champions.
The New York Yankees continue to come up short in the postseason, but they appear to have another strong chance this season. They are listed at +550 and are the favorites to win the American League.
The San Diego Padres were extremely aggressive this offseason, and their pitching staff is absolutely loaded. The Padres are listed at +800 and could be a threat to Los Angeles.
Finally, the Chicago White Sox are listed at +850, as they have one of the best young offensive lineups in the league.
Contenders
- Atlanta Braves+1000
- New York Mets +1000
- Minnesota Twins +1800
- St. Louis Cardinals +2200
- Toronto Blue Jays +2200
The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets will be fighting for the NL East crown all season long, and both teams could be dangerous in the postseason. New York has a loaded pitching staff, while the Braves can really hit.
Perhaps no team will be more improved heading into the season than the St. Louis Cardinals after acquiring Nolan Arenado in a trade with the Colorado Rockets. St. Louis was already a World Series contender before the trade, but it is a serious threat now.
The Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays are two teams to keep an eye on, as they could factor into the mix come October.
Underdogs
- Houston Astros +2500
- Oakland Athletics +2500
- Tampa Bay Rays +2500
- Washington Nationals +3000
- Chicago Cubs +3500
- Cincinnati Reds +3500
- Los Angeles Angels +3500
- Philadelphia Phillies +3500
There are some very interesting teams in this list of “underdogs,” including the Tampa Bay Rays, who won the American League last season. The Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are also included, and they are both recent World Series champions.
Any of the teams listed above could win the 2021 World Series, but they would have to exceed expectations to do so.
Everyone Else +4000 or Higher
Baseball can be a funny game at times, and there could be a team that is not listed above that makes a run to the World Series in 2021. This season will be played with a full schedule, and that could eliminate the chances of some team going on a huge underdog run.