The unofficial second half of the MLB season gets underway on Thursday, and that means it’s a great time to check in on some World Series futures odds and potential bets ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in complete control in the National League, with incredibly short +180 odds (BET99) to win the World Series, but it’s a total crapshoot in the American League, where nine teams still have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs and a potentially deep run to the Fall Classic.
Let’s take a look at three teams to consider backing now to win the World Series.
Atlanta Braves (+1100)
Standings: 1st in NL East
Record: 55-40
Remaining Schedule Strength: .513
After missing the playoffs last season for the first time in seven years, the Braves are once again legitimate World Series contenders.
Led by ace Chris Sale, Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, and a breakout year from right-hander Bryce Elder, Atlanta is perhaps the most well-rounded team in the majors aside from the loaded Dodgers.
Ranking seventh in runs per game (4.8) and fourth in runs against per game (3.9), Atlanta’s +92 run differential is impressive, especially considering it has dealt with some significant injuries to its starting pitching staff to open the season.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos has historically never shied away from big trade deadline deals, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Braves make a huge play for one of the top arms or bats available to bolster this team for the stretch run.
If there’s a team that can knock off the mighty Dodgers in the NL, it’s the Braves.
Braves to win the World Series
Tampa Bay Rays (+1600)
Standings: 1st in AL East
Record: 56-38
Remaining Schedule Strength: .488
Is this the year the pesky Rays finally break through and make a deep playoff run?
Their 35-15 record at Tropicana Field after being displaced due to hurricane damage a few years ago is absolutely incredible, and this well-rounded squad has a deep farm system that could be used to greatly enhance the team ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
The Rays, known as a financially efficient organization that keeps a close eye on payroll, will have to put all of their chips into the middle of the table at some point, and there really is no better time than now given the weakened state of the AL as a whole.
Do they go after a true ace, like Detroit’s Tarik Skubal or Minnesota’s Joe Ryan? Or would a big bat like Boston’s Willson Contreras or Minnesota’s Byron Buxton be more appealing? Either way, Tampa has the assets to pull off a blockbuster deal and address any needs it has for a World Series run.
Tampa holds a three-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East out of the break, but a very favourable .488 remaining schedule strength (third easiest remaining schedule in MLB) should help it secure the division title and one of the top playoff seeds in the AL, granting the club a bye in the first round.
Rays to win the World Series
Toronto Blue Jays (+4000)
Standings: 5th in AL East
Record: 45-51
Remaining Schedule Strength: .501
The reigning AL champions find themselves just 2.5 games back of a playoff spot despite being six games under .500 at the break.
Injuries have ravaged Toronto’s roster all season long, but the team has managed to keep itself afloat in a subpar AL, which means there’s tremendous upside down the stretch for MLB’s only Canadian team, especially if franchise player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can break out of his season-long funk.
There’s no question that the Blue Jays find themselves in win-now mode, and if the team can inch closer to .500 over the next few weeks, it’s very plausible the front office will be aggressive buyers at the trade deadline.
A few key acquisitions paired with the return of some of their injured talent could be enough to catapult this squad into a playoff berth, and in a wide-open AL, the Blue Jays have the poise and experience now to march back to the World Series if everything breaks right.
At 40-1, Toronto is a very viable long shot to win it all.
