The Los Angeles Dodgers needed five games – and a questionable strike three call – to get past the San Francisco Giants in their classic NLDS battle. But by knocking off perhaps their strongest competition, the Dodgers have made themselves the clear favorite to win the 2021 World Series.
BetMGM lists Los Angeles as the +135 pick to win the World Series, the tightest odds any team has enjoyed so far this season.
Bettors backing Dodgers to win World Series
The Dodgers opened as the +350 choice to defend their World Series title, but Los Angeles found itself in a one-game wild-card showdown with the St. Louis Cardinals, pushing their odds out to +400. Winning that game brought the Dodgers back to being the +240 World Series favorite.
The Houston Astros stand as the +220 second pick to win a championship this year heading into their ALCS battle with the Boston Red Sox (+450). Both teams entered the season as relative long shots. On Opening Day, the Astros rated as a +2200 title pick, with the Red Sox well back at +5000.
| World Series Odds (via BetMGM) |
| Los Angeles Dodgers: +135 |
| Houston Astros: +220 |
| Boston Red Sox: +450 |
| Atlanta Braves: +550 |
The Braves (+550) hold the longest odds to win the World Series, mostly due to the fact that they have to deal with the Dodgers in the NLCS. Atlanta entered the season as a +1000 pick to go all the way this year.
Of the four remaining teams, bettors largely backed the Dodgers all season long. BetMGM reported that 12.8% of World Series tickets and 20.4% of handle is on Los Angeles.
“With the Giants eliminated from the playoffs, the Dodgers are the only remaining liability for the World Series at BetMGM,†BetMGM sports trader Halvor Egeland said in a statement. “The sportsbook will be cheering for the Braves in the next round.â€
Dodgers players also dominate the early World Series MVP odds boards. FanDuel Sportsbook lists Max Scherzer and Mookie Betts as +1300 co-favorites for the award, ahead of Corey Seager (+1500) and Walker Buehler (+1600).
