With the trade deadline just days away, the 2023 World Series contenders look to buy pieces to boost their chances in October.
Below we will review the odds per DraftKings as we head into the final weekend of July.
World Series Odds: Favorites
Atlanta Braves (ATL) +330
Los Angeles Dodgers (LAD) +500
Houston Astros (HOU) +700
Tampa Bay Rays (TBR) +800
The team with the best record in baseball, the Atlanta Braves, also holds the best odds to win the World Series. They are +142 in run differential, have the National League MVP front-runner in Ronald Acuna Jr., and a serious NL Cy Young candidate in Spencer Strider. Their corner infielders have a realistic chance to combine for 70+ home runs. Not to mention they still aren’t fully healthy. Starting pitchers Max Fried and Kyle Wright will only boost the Braves’ chances upon return.
After a slower-than-usual start to the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are full steam ahead. They are winning the NL West by four games and have a chance at another 100-win season. The expectation is for LA to be aggressive at the trade deadline, potentially adding another ace alongside future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw.
Last year’s World Series champion, the Houston Astros, have the best odds among American League teams. Rookie sensation Hunter Brown has pitched well, but fellow youngster J.P. France has more than elevated the Astros. The 28-year-old rookie is 6-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts.
Despite losing first place in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays still have the best odds within the division. It’s been tough sledding for the Rays, especially after the loss of starters Drew Rasmussen and Jeffery Springs, but hurler Tyler Glasnow looks like a co-ace alongside Shane McClanahan. The righty has allowed just five runs over his last 25.2 innings and has lowered his ERA to 3.36.
Dark horse candidates
Texas Rangers (TEX) +1200
Baltimore Orioles (BAL) +1300
Toronto Blue Jays (TOR) +1500
Philadephia Phillies (PHI) +1800
Minnesota Twins (MIN) +1900
The Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays might not win their divisions, but they are all in fantastic shape to represent in the Wild Card. Texas has scored the most runs in baseball and has one of the deepest lineups, featuring All-Stars Jonah Heim, Josh Jung, Marcus Semien. and Adolis Garcia.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles are one of baseball’s best stories. They are in a great position to make the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Orioles may have the best bullpen in baseball, with closer Felix Bautista sporting a 0.92 ERA in 49 innings. Division foe Toronto also has sluggers and top-end hurlers across the board. The resurgence of Jose Berrios has given the Blue Jays a fantastic front-end of the bullpen, featuring him, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt.
The Phillies are priced high despite barely holding a Wild Card spot in the National League. Despite a poor season thus far to their standards, they have a super deep lineup and co-aces in Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola. They will be a threat in October if they get there.
Someone has to win the AL Central, and it could be the Minnesota Twins. Offensive struggles have plagued them this year, but the starting pitching is nothing to sneeze at. Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Sonny Gray, and Pablo Lopez represent the best starting rotation in baseball.
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