October postseason baseball has arrived. The Houston Astros are currently 4/1 co-favorites to repeat as World Series champions, but will have to become the first team in 19 seasons to win consecutive titles if they intend to deliver for World Series bettors.
According to Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, the Astros and the Boston Red Sox are tied for best odds to win the championship at 4/1. The Red Sox set a franchise record with 108 wins and finished the season with the most wins in baseball.
2018 WORLD SERIES ODDS
Houston Astros 4/1
Boston Red Sox 4/1
Chicago Cubs 7/1
L.A. Dodgers 7/1
Atlanta Braves 8/1
Cleveland Indians 8/1
New York Yankees 10/1
Milwaukee Brewers 12/1
Colorado Rockies 14/1
Oakland As 14/1source: Westgate Las Vegas
Houston Astros vs. History
The defending champion Houston Astros (103-59) clinched the AL West crown for a second season in a row. Unfortunately, history is not on their side. It’s nearly impossible to repeat as World Series champions. The 1999 Yankees were the last team to win consecutive titles. In the last 40 years, only two teams won consecutive titles (1992-93 Toronto Blue Jays and the 1997-99 Yankees). It’s only happened to five teams in the last 64 seasons.
Beantown to Beatdown
The Boston Red Sox ran away with the AL East crown after a 108-win season. History is giving the edge to the Red Sox over the Astros. The Red Sox are the team to beat this postseason, which is why they listed as one of the favorites at 4-1.
Root-Root-Root for Cubbies
The Chicago Cubs finally won the World Series in 2016. They had a great team in 2017 but ran out of gas. Could this be the bounce-back year for the Cubs? The Cubs are 7-1 to win their second title in three years.
California Dreaming
The LA Dodgers made it to the World Series last year, but lost to the Houston Astros. Can they make it back? The team that lost in the championship the previous year is often the favorite to win the next year. That’s why the Dodgers are a popular pick at 7-1 to win their first World Series since 1988.
Look Out Cleveland
The Cleveland Indians (91-71) won the AL Central crown for a third season in a row. The Indians were upset by the Yankees in the 2017 ALDS, but on a mission to return to the World Series. Cleveland is 8-1.
Hotlanta
The Atlanta Braves (90-72) won the NL East without much competition. Winning road games is essential in the playoffs, and the Braves have the best away record in the NL. Atlanta is 8-1.
Young Bronx Bombers
The Yankees won 100 games, yet still finished 5 games out of first place behind the Red Sox. The Yankees settled on a Wild Card spot. The Bronx Bombers lived up to their moniker by setting a MLB record for most home runs in a season. The Yankees have two of their young stars back from an injury and offer up some value at 10-1.
Lovable Longshots
The Milwaukee Brewers battled the Chicago Cubs all season and they held off a late run by the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers are already in playoff mode, but not getting too much respect as a 12-1 favorite.
The Oakland A’s (97-65) fought off the Seattle Mariners to qualify for a final Wild Card berth. But they’re a long shot at 14-1.
The Colorado Rockies (91-71) won 9 out of their last 10 games to force a tie-break with the LA Dodger for the NL West title. The Rockies are one of the hottest teams in baseball, but still a longshot at 14-1.
