The World Series is one of the most prestigious championships in all of sports, as the top team in Major League Baseball takes home the trophy and enjoys the ensuing celebration each year. Here, we look at the odds to win the World Series in 2024, as hope springs eternal for the favorites and longshots alike. As we know in baseball, though, being a favorite could be rendered meaningless in a matter of just a few games in a sport where most games could go either way.
2024 MLB World Series Odds
| Team |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LAD
|
+320 | +290 | +300 | +300 | +260 |
|
ATL
|
+450 | +425 | +550 | +400 | +500 |
|
HOU
|
+700 | +1400 | +1800 | +1500 | +1500 |
|
NYY
|
+900 | +600 | +800 | +600 | +550 |
|
BAL
|
+1200 | +1000 | +800 | +900 | +1200 |
|
TEX
|
+1400 | +1800 | +1700 | +2200 | +2000 |
|
PHI
|
+1500 | +950 | +950 | +900 | +1000 |
|
TOR
|
+1800 | +5000 | +3300 | +6000 | +5000 |
|
SEA
|
+2000 | +1800 | +2000 | +1700 | +2000 |
|
MIN
|
+2100 | +2000 | +2500 | +2500 | +2000 |
|
SF
|
+3300 | +10000 | +7000 | +9000 | +10000 |
|
STL
|
+3300 | +10000 | +6000 | +9000 | +8000 |
|
CHC
|
+3500 | +3500 | +2200 | +2500 | +4000 |
|
TB
|
+3500 | +5000 | +4500 | +4000 | +4000 |
|
ARI
|
+4000 | +5000 | +3300 | +5000 | +5000 |
|
CIN
|
+4500 | +10000 | +7500 | +15000 | +15000 |
|
SD
|
+5000 | +5000 | +4500 | +7500 | +5000 |
|
NYM
|
+5500 | +10000 | +5500 | +11000 | +8000 |
|
BOS
|
+6000 | +12500 | +7500 | +13000 | +12000 |
|
CLE
|
+6000 | +3000 | +4000 | +2200 | +3500 |
As you can see from the World Series futures odds above, there are a few early favorites to win the title. Thanks to the compressed postseason format in MLB, though, any team can win any series. Here, let’s look at the title favorites according to the odds listed above.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The favorites to win the 2024 World Series are the Los Angeles Dodgers and it is not hard to see why when you look at the offseason that they had. They landed the big fish in the market in the offseason, bringing in Shohei Ohtani. While Ohtani is not likely to pitch in 2024, he is still an incredibly impactful outfielder and hitter. Meanwhile, the Dodgers also added former Mariner Teoscar Hernandez, Yoshinobu Yamamoto from Japan, and Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays. To put it lightly, it would be an embarrassment if the Dodgers did not end up winning a championship this season with all of the talent they added to an already strong roster.
Philadelphia Phillies
Last season, the Atlanta Braves finished the regular season with the best record in baseball. But their regular season success did not translate to postseason success, as they were bounced in the NLDS by the Philadelphia Phillies in a series that was never all that close. This year, the Phillies have followed that trip to the NLCS up by taking the lead in the NL East during the regular season over the Braves. As a result, oddsmakers have Philly second to the Dodgers on the list of World Series favorites.
New York Yankees
Last year’s New York Yankees didn’t even make the postseason, finishing the year a disappointing 82-80. But some roster maneuvering combined with being in a major market like New York has made them a World Series favorite. New York’s American League team brought Juan Soto in from San Diego this offseason, adding yet another lethal bat to a lineup that was already full of them. But the question for this team will be its pitching and whether their entire roster can deliver in the postseason.
Before the season got up and running, the Yankees were already dealt a crucial blow in the form of an injury to Gerrit Cole. Cole has missed a couple of months due to that injury this year. But great pitching from arms like Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman have helped the Yankees move to the top of the list of American League favorites along with the Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore Orioles
It is safe to say that the 2023 season for the Baltimore Orioles was no fluke. The Orioles are well on their way to another very successful regular season in 2024, as they are right there with the Yankees in the race to win the AL East and finish this year with the best record in the American League. The young talent for the Orioles has done a great job of dealing with the heightened expectations for them this season and they will look to continue to play well under pressure as this season progresses.
Other World Series Contenders
With so many games to decide things in Major League Baseball, there are plenty of other teams with odds that suggest they can win a title this year along with the favorites listed above. The Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians are on top of the two Central divisions in MLB and could be in the mix for the title this year. The Seattle Mariners have also been great from a pitching perspective and deserve a look from bettors as well.
How To Bet World Series Futures
Bettors should look for the best value when wagering on a team to cash their World Series futures with. Determining which teams have a better chance to win the World Series than their odds would suggest is the way to maximize profitability when betting on this market. To do that, bettors must consider a variety of factors when looking at each team.
First, roster construction is key to success for any team. Looking at a team and making sure their lineup has the depth to put up runs from anywhere is important. Pitching might be even more important, as both starting pitching and bullpen arms can make or break World Series futures wagers. Bettors need to look at rosters from top to bottom to make the most informed decisions possible.
Then, bettors should look at the path that a team has to go through to make it to the World Series. Matchups are so important in baseball, and one bad matchup can ruin a team’s chances of going all the way to a championship. Evaluating potential matchups in the postseason can help bettors avoid making a bad bet in the futures markets.
