2024 World Series Futures Odds: Will a Favorite Cash In?

The road to the World Series has been filled with landmines for many odds-on favorites in recent years. Just ask the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers–two teams who have each won over 200 games the past two years but have no postseason series victories to show for it. Other 2023 preseason favorites included the New York Yankees and Mets, who were both on the outside looking in before the playoffs even started.

The 2024 World Series odds reflect this uncertainty, as only the Dodgers and Braves have World Series futures odds of under +1000.

For this exercise, we’re going to consider teams at +1500 or lower as World Series favorites. Later this week, we’ll look at some intriguing underdog/value picks.

For now, here is our analysis of the World Series futures odds favorites.

Here are the seven favorites and best available odds at top online sportsbooks.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were the darlings of the offseason, cashing in on two free agents: Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ohtani will not be pitching this year after undergoing elbow surgery after the 2023 season. Ohtani said it was not Tommy John surgery, which he had in 2018. But don’t worry about the Dodgers’ starting rotation.

LA will also be starting the season with newly acquired Tyler Glasnow, who is one of the best young pitchers in baseball but has had injury concerns in the past. Walker Buehler will not be starting the regular season with the club after Tommy John in 2022, but he will pitch this season. In addition, Clayton Kershaw is hoping for a debut in July or August.

So, if everyone remains healthy, even without Ohtani pitching, you’re looking at a potential postseason rotation of: Yamamoto, Kershaw, Glasnow, and Buehler. Yes, please.

But in the Dodgers’ last six playoff games (all losses), the team has scored a total of 13 runs. That’s not going to get it done in October, but they have the talent to break out. The law of averages say they will.

Speaking of, the Braves are in a similar boat. They have pitching that’s just as good — but without the flashy names. Spencer Strider and Max Fried are two of the best young starters in the game, but there’s a drop-off after veteran Charlie Morton. Chris Sale made 20 starts with a 4.30 ERA last year, but his health is always a concern.

Like the Dodgers, the Braves — who had a record-setting offense in the regular season — also saw their bats go silent in an early playoff exit. Even with lesser odds, we’re going to trust the Dodgers’ pitching staff over Atlanta’s and favor LA in the National League.

Perennial contender Houston leads the American League odds along with the New York Yankees. Both teams can be bought at +1000. Both teams have stiff competition in their respective divisions. Houston will be without ace Justin Verlander for at least the beginning of the season as deals with a spring shoulder issue for the second straight year.

The Yankees added Marcus Stroman to go with reigning Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole, but Carlos Rodon will have to have a bounce-back year. Juan Soto joins a stout offense but will also need more contributions from Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton.

Baltimore surprised the baseball world by finishing with the best record in the AL before being steamrolled by Texas in the Division Series. While there are concerns about pitcher Kyle Bradish (strained UCL), the Orioles made a big move by trading for former NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. That kind of ace and the experience gained from the playoff loss makes us bullish on the O’s.

Texas Rangers: The defending champs come in at +1500 after winning the World Series with preseason odds of +5000 a year ago. Texas returns a lineup that just punished teams in the postseason a year ago. Starting pitching is a little thin (October star Jordan Montgomery has departed), and the team is hoping Max Scherzer and Jacob DeGrom can return from injuries by midseason. However, there is a possibility DeGrom may miss the entire 2024 campaign.

Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies’ losses at home in Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS to heavy underdog Arizona was one of the most shocking collapses in recent history. The team is basically running it back, signing pitcher Zach Wheeler to an extension and bringing back several popular players on offense.

When it comes to the favorites in World Series futures odds, it’s hard to ignore the Dodgers even at the low odds. Will Philly be able to recapture their mojo from October 2022? We like their chances over Atlanta, given the differential in odds. And in the American League, we like Baltimore and Texas.