We’re nearly at the midway point of the MLB season, and it’s time to check in on the World Series futures at SI Sportsbook. There are some fresh values on the board.
A new team tops the list at +350: the Atlanta Braves. The Braves had the sixth-best odds entering the season at +900.
Not only do the Braves have a 50-27 record, which is the best in the National League and the second-best in the majors, they also have a run differential of plus-107, which ranks third. Their offense has scored the third-most runs this season while their pitching has allowed the ninth-fewest. Led by Ronald Acuna Jr., who is the current favorite for NL MVP, the Braves also have the advantage of playing in the National League, which currently has less competition at the top. The Braves are just one season removed from being World Series champions and have the experience and talent to do it again in 2023.
Next up is the team with the best record in baseball (54-27) and the biggest run differential (plus-150). There’s not a lot more to say about that. The Rays are a juggernaut.
If you believe the reigning World Series champs can repeat, this could be the best value you see for the Astros at +850. Houston entered the season as the favorite at +550. The Astros have been playing without star slugger Yordan Alvarez (who should return in July) as well as a skeleton pitching staff. They still own the third-best run differential in the AL (plus-41) and should only get stronger after the trade deadline.
The Rangers have impressed this season, leading the AL West by 5.5 games at the start of this week and owning the second-best run differential in MLB (plus-150). Right now it’s hard to see what could stop them from going all the way, and +900 looks attractive.
There are some good values on the board with the Angels (+3000) and Diamondbacks (+2500), both of whom are in contention to win their divisions outright. Few MLB fans would be disappointed to see likely AL MVP Shohei Ohtani in the World Series.
Finally, if you like a long shot, check out the Reds at +7500. Cincinnati is the hottest club in MLB right now, and they are dripping with young talent. If they continue to stay hot or catch fire again late in the season, there’s no reason to think they can’t be this year’s version of the 2019 World Series champion Nationals.
Updated World Series Odds at SI Sportsbook
Atlanta Braves +350
Tampa Bay Rays +400
Los Angeles Dodgers +450
Houston Astros +850
Texas Rangers +900
San Diego Padres +1700
New York Yankees +1700
Toronto Blue Jays +2200
Minnesota Twins +2500
Philadelphia Phillies +2500
San Francisco Giants +2500
Baltimore Orioles +2500
Arizona Diamondbacks +2500
Los Angeles Angels +3000
New York Mets +4000
Milwaukee Brewers +4500
Seattle Mariners +6000
Boston Red Sox +6000
St. Louis Cardinals +7000
Cleveland Guardians +7000
Chicago Cubs +7500
Miami Marlins +7500
Cincinnati Reds +7500
Chicago White Sox +25000
Pittsburgh Pirates +30000
Detroit Tigers +50000
Washington Nationals +50000
Kansas City Royals +50000
Colorado Rockies +50000
Oakland Athletics +50000