The Boston Red Sox were the 2013 World Series champions, but they're sitting behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and St. Louis Cardinals on the odds to win the 2014 World Series at the sportsbooks. Here's a look at the odds to win the 2014 World Series at the start of the season, with the Dodgers, Tigers, Nationals, Cardinals, and Red Sox topping the list.
Odds to Win 2014 World Series at Bovada as of April 8:
Los Angeles Dodgers 13/2
Detroit Tigers 8/1
Washington Nationals 8/1
St. Louis Cardinals 17/2
Boston Red Sox 14/1
New York Yankees 14/1
San Francisco Giants 14/1
Tampa Bay Rays 14/1
Texas Rangers 16/1
Atlanta Braves 18/1
Oakland Athletics 20/1
Los Angeles Angels 22/1
Cincinnati Reds 25/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 25/1
Seattle Mariners 25/1
Toronto Blue Jays 25/1
Cleveland Indians 28/1
Baltimore Orioles 33/1
Kansas City Royals 33/1
Philadelphia Phillies 40/1
Chicago White Sox 66/1
Miami Marlins 66/1
Milwaukee Brewers 66/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 75/1
San Diego Padres 75/1
Chicago Cubs 100/1
Colorado Rockies 100/1
Minnesota Twins 100/1
New York Mets 100/1
Houston Astros 200/1
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The AL champion Boston Red Sox are favored over the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals on the updated odds to win the World Series, with the best-of-seven set getting underway on Wednesday, October 23 at Fenway Park.
Here's a look at the updated World Series odds at the sportsbooks, with the Red Sox the slight favorites over the Cardinals.
Odds to Win 2013 World Series at Bovada as of October 20:
Boston Red Sox 5/7
St. Louis Cardinals 6/5
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With the ALCS and the NLCS now underway the sportsbooks have whittled down the number of teams on their World Series odds board - with the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals pegged as the top contenders to come away with a championship this fall. Here's a look at the updated World Series odds for the year at the sportsbooks.
Odds to Win 2013 World Series at Bovada as of October 15:
Detroit Tigers 12/5
St. Louis Cardinals 12/5
Boston Red Sox 5/2
Los Angeles Dodgers 7/2
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Heading into the stretch run the Los Angeles Dodgers are at the top of the odds to win the World Series at the sportsbooks, with the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers following them on that futures list. Here's a look at the updated World Series odds for the year at the sportsbooks.
Odds to Win 2013 World Series at Bovada as of September 15:
Los Angeles Dodgers 15/4
Boston Red Sox 9/2
Detroit Tigers 5/1
Atlanta Braves 8/1
Oakland Athletics 9/1
St. Louis Cardinals 10/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 11/1
Cincinnati Reds 14/1
Cleveland Indians 20/1
Tampa Bay Rays 20/1
Texas Rangers 20/1
Baltimore Orioles 28/1
Washington Nationals 33/1
New York Yankees 40/1
Kansas City Royals 50/1
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The Detroit Tigers have moved to the top of the MLB futures at the sportsbooks after the first three months of the season, sitting as favorites on the odds to win the World Series ahead of the Cardinals, Braves, and Rangers. Here's a look at the updated World Series odds for the year at the sportsbooks.
Odds to Win 2013 World Series at Bovada as of June 20:
Detroit Tigers 6/1
St. Louis Cardinals 13/2
Atlanta Braves 8/1
Texas Rangers 11/1
Boston Red Sox 12/1
Cincinnati Reds 12/1
Oakland Athletics 12/1
Washington Nationals 14/1
Baltimore Orioles 15/1
San Francisco Giants 18/1
Toronto Blue Jays 18/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 20/1
New York Yankees 20/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 22/1
Tampa Bay Rays 25/1
Cleveland Indians 33/1
Los Angeles Angels 33/1
Colorado Rockies 40/1
Kansas City Royals 40/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 40/1
Philadelphia Phillies 40/1
San Diego Padres 40/1
Minnesota Twins 100/1
Chicago White Sox 150/1
Seattle Mariners 200/1
New York Mets 250/1
Chicago Cubs 500/1
Milwaukee Brewers 500/1
Houston Astros 2000/1
Miami Marlins 5000/1
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The Washington Nationals are sitting as the favorites on the odds to win the World Series at the sportsbooks right now, with the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Dodgers just behind them on those MLB futures. Meanwhile, a slow start has caused the Blue Jays to slip on the list.
Odds to Win 2013 World Series at Bovada as of April 11:
Washington Nationals 7/1
Atlanta Braves 9/1
Detroit Tigers 9/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 9/1
Los Angeles Angels 10/1
Cincinnati Reds 12/1
San Francisco Giants 12/1
Texas Rangers 14/1
Toronto Blue Jays 14/1
Oakland Athletics 18/1
New York Yankees 20/1
St. Louis Cardinals 20/1
Boston Red Sox 22/1
Tampa Bay Rays 22/1
Philadelphia Phillies 25/1
Baltimore Orioles 28/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 40/1
Chicago White Sox 40/1
Kansas City Royals 40/1
Cleveland Indians 50/1
Milwaukee Brewers 66/1
New York Mets 66/1
Colorado Rockies 75/1
Seattle Mariners 75/1
Chicago Cubs 100/1
Minnesota Twins 100/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 100/1
San Diego Padres 150/1
Houston Astros 300/1
Miami Marlins 1000/1
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With their big offseason moves the Toronto Blue Jays have moved ahead of the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers on the odds to win the 2013 World Series. Here's a look at the current odds to win the MLB title at the sportsbooks this season, from the Blue Jays through the Astros.
Odds to Win 2013 World Series at Bovada as of January 5:
Toronto Blue Jays 15/2
Los Angeles Angels 17/2
Los Angeles Dodgers 17/2
Washington Nationals 9/1
Detroit Tigers 10/1
Cincinnati Reds 12/1
Texas Rangers 12/1
New York Yankees 15/1
San Francisco Giants 15/1
Atlanta Braves 16/1
Philadelphia Phillies 16/1
Tampa Bay Rays 22/1
Boston Red Sox 25/1
St. Louis Cardinals 25/1
Oakland Athletics 30/1
Milwaukee Brewers 35/1
Baltimore Orioles 40/1
Chicago White Sox 40/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 45/1
Kansas City Royals 50/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 50/1
Cleveland Indians 75/1
Minnesota Twins 75/1
New York Mets 75/1
San Diego Padres 75/1
Seattle Mariners 75/1
Chicago Cubs 100/1
Colorado Rockies 100/1
Miami Marlins 100/1
Houston Astros 200/1
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The San Francisco Giants swept the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 World Series, but it's the Tigers that have opened as the favorites on the MLB futures at the sportsbooks to claim the 2013 World Series championship.
Detroit is listed at 17/2 on the odds to win the World Series for 2013 at Bovada, with the Washington Nationals at 17/2 as well, and both the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays at 11/1. The Giants are set at 12/1 on those World Series odds.
Here's a look at the complete current odds to win the 2013 World Series at Bovada, from the Tigers, Nationals, and Yankees down through the longshot 200/1 Houston Astros.
Odds to Win 2013 World Series at Bovada as of November 20:
Detroit Tigers 17/2
Washington Nationals 17/2
New York Yankees 11/1
Toronto Blue Jays 11/1
Cincinnati Reds 12/1
Los Angeles Angels 12/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 12/1
San Francisco Giants 12/1
Texas Rangers 12/1
Atlanta Braves 16/1
Philadelphia Phillies 16/1
Oakland Athletics 18/1
St. Louis Cardinals 20/1
Tampa Bay Rays 25/1
Milwaukee Brewers 28/1
Boston Red Sox 30/1
Chicago White Sox 30/1
Baltimore Orioles 33/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 40/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 45/1
New York Mets 66/1
Seattle Mariners 66/1
Chicago Cubs 75/1
Cleveland Indians 75/1
San Diego Padres 75/1
Colorado Rockies 100/1
Kansas City Royals 100/1
Miami Marlins 100/1
Minnesota Twins 100/1
Houston Astros 200/1
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The field for the MLB playoffs has now been set, with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, and Cincinnati Reds sitting as the top favorites at the online sportsbooks on the odds to win the 2012 World Series. Here's a full rundown of the odds to win the championship on the diamond this fall.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at Bovada as of October 3:
Texas Rangers 9/2
New York Yankees 5/1
Cincinnati Reds 11/2
Washington Nationals 6/1
Detroit Tigers 13/2
San Francisco Giants 7/1
Atlanta Braves 10/1
Oakland Athletics 10/1
Baltimore Orioles 14/1
St. Louis Cardinals 14/1
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The Texas Rangers and the Cincinnati Reds are the current favorites at the online sportsbooks to win the 2012 World Series. Here's a full rundown of the listed MLB odds to win the 2012 World Series, from the favored Rangers and Reds down through the longshots on the odds board.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at Bovada as of September 18:
Texas Rangers 9/2
Cincinnati Reds 13/2
New York Yankees 7/1
Washington Nationals 7/1
San Francisco Giants 9/1
Atlanta Braves 12/1
Baltimore Orioles 14/1
Chicago White Sox 14/1
Detroit Tigers 16/1
Oakland Athletics 16/1
Los Angeles Angels 18/1
St. Louis Cardinals 18/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 20/1
Milwaukee Brewers 30/1
Philadelphia Phillies 40/1
Tampa Bay Rays 50/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 75/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 150/1
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The New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers are the current favorites at the online sportsbooks to win the 2012 World Series. Here's a full rundown of the listed MLB odds to win the 2012 World Series, from the favored Yankees and Rangers down through the longshots on the odds board.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at Bovada as of August 20:
New York Yankees 5/1
Texas Rangers 11/2
Washington Nationals 15/2
Detroit Tigers 8/1
Cincinnati Reds 17/2
Los Angeles Dodgers 9/1
Los Angeles Angels 12/1
Tampa Bay Rays 12/1
Atlanta Braves 15/1
Chicago White Sox 15/1
San Francisco Giants 15/1
St. Louis Cardinals 22/1
Oakland Athletics 28/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 28/1
Baltimore Orioles 30/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 40/1
Boston Red Sox 65/1
Toronto Blue Jays 100/1
Philadelphia Phillies 150/1
Miami Marlins 250/1
New York Mets 250/1
Milwaukee Brewers 300/1
Seattle Mariners 300/1
Cleveland Indians 500/1
Kansas City Royals 500/1
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The Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees are the current favorites at the online sportsbooks to win the 2012 World Series. Here's a full rundown of the listed MLB odds to win the 2012 World Series, from the favored Rangers and Yankees down through the longshot Cubs and Padres.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at Bovada as of July 3:
New York Yankees 11/2
Texas Rangers 11/2
San Francisco Giants 10/1
Washington Nationals 11/1
Los Angeles Angels 12/1
Cincinnati Reds 14/1
Detroit Tigers 14/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 14/1
Atlanta Braves 16/1
Tampa Bay Rays 16/1
Boston Red Sox 20/1
St. Louis Cardinals 20/1
Philadelphia Phillies 22/1
Chicago White Sox 25/1
Toronto Blue Jays 30/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 35/1
Cleveland Indians 35/1
Miami Marlins 35/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 35/1
New York Mets 40/1
Baltimore Orioles 45/1
Milwaukee Brewers 65/1
Kansas City Royals 75/1
Oakland Athletics 200/1
Houston Astros 250/1
Minnesota Twins 250/1
Chicago Cubs 300/1
Colorado Rockies 300/1
San Diego Padres 500/1
Seattle Mariners 500/1
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The Texas Rangers are the current favorites at the online sportsbooks to win the 2012 World Series. Here's a full rundown of the listed MLB odds to win the 2012 World Series, from the favored Rangers, Yankees, Rays, and Dodgers down through the longshot Cubs, Twins, and Padres.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at Bovada as of May 28:
Texas Rangers 5/1
New York Yankees 9/1
Tampa Bay Rays 9/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 10/1
Detroit Tigers 11/1
Philadelphia Phillies 12/1
St. Louis Cardinals 14/1
Atlanta Braves 15/1
Cincinnati Reds 15/1
Washington Nationals 15/1
Los Angeles Angels 16/1
Boston Red Sox 20/1
Miami Marlins 20/1
Toronto Blue Jays 20/1
San Francisco Giants 25/1
Baltimore Orioles 30/1
Chicago White Sox 35/1
Cleveland Indians 40/1
New York Mets 40/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 50/1
Milwaukee Brewers 60/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 75/1
Colorado Rockies 100/1
Oakland Athletics 100/1
Houston Astros 150/1
Kansas City Royals 250/1
Seattle Mariners 250/1
Chicago Cubs 300/1
Minnesota Twins 300/1
San Diego Padres 500/1
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The Texas Rangers are the current favorites at the online sportsbooks to win the 2012 World Series. Here's a full rundown of the listed MLB odds to win the 2012 World Series, from the favored Rangers, Tigers, Yankees, and Phillies down through the longshot Twins, Royals, and Padres.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at Bovada as of April 22:
Texas Rangers 6/1
Detroit Tigers 13/2
New York Yankees 7/1
Philadelphia Phillies 15/2
Los Angeles Angels 12/1
St. Louis Cardinals 15/1
Boston Red Sox 18/1
Tampa Bay Rays 18/1
Washington Nationals 18/1
Atlanta Braves 20/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 20/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 22/1
San Francisco Giants 22/1
Toronto Blue Jays 22/1
Cincinnati Reds 25/1
Miami Marlins 25/1
Milwaukee Brewers 35/1
Chicago White Sox 40/1
Colorado Rockies 40/1
Cleveland Indians 65/1
New York Mets 65/1
Baltimore Orioles 100/1
Chicago Cubs 100/1
Oakland Athletics 100/1
Seattle Mariners 100/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 125/1
Houston Astros 150/1
Minnesota Twins 150/1
Kansas City Royals 200/1
San Diego Padres 200/1
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The Philadelphia Phillies are the current favorites at the online sportsbooks to win the 2012 World Series. Here's a full rundown of the listed MLB odds to win the 2012 World Series, from the favored Phillies, Yankees, Angels, and Tigers down through the longshot Mariners, Orioles, and Astros.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at Bovada as of March 6:
Philadelphia Phillies 11/2
New York Yankees 13/2
Los Angeles Angels 7/1
Detroit Tigers 8/1
Boston Red Sox 10/1
Texas Rangers 10/1
San Francisco Giants 15/1
Tampa Bay Rays 18/1
Cincinnati Reds 20/1
Miami Marlins 20/1
Atlanta Braves 22/1
St. Louis Cardinals 25/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 28/1
Milwaukee Brewers 28/1
Washington Nationals 30/1
Colorado Rockies 35/1
Chicago Cubs 40/1
Toronto Blue Jays 40/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 45/1
Cleveland Indians 60/1
Chicago White Sox 65/1
Minnesota Twins 75/1
Kansas City Royals 80/1
New York Mets 80/1
Oakland Athletics 80/1
Pittsburgh Pirate 100/1
San Diego Padres 100/1
Seattle Mariners 100/1
Baltimore Orioles 150/1
Houston Astros 200/1
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The Philadelphia Phillies are once again sitting atop the World Series futures board as baseball bettors start their preparations for another season of diamond action.
The Phillies, leading the way at +450 on the World Series odds at TopBet, are just ahead of the Boston Red Sox (+600), New York Yankees (+600), and Los Angeles Angels (+600) on that futures list.
The Angels, of course, are the new employers of slugging first baseman Albert Pujols thanks to a lucrative long-term contract. Pujols' old team, the St. Louis Cardinals, sits at +1200 odds to repeat as the World Series champions in 2012.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at TopBet as of January 1:
Philadelphia Phillies +450
Boston Red Sox +600
New York Yankees +600
Los Angeles Angels +600
Texas Rangers +800
Miami Marlins +1,000
St Louis Cardinals +1,200
Atlanta Braves +1,200
San Francisco Giants +1,500
Detroit Tigers +1,500
Tampa Bay Rays +1,500
Los Angeles Dodgers +3,000
Kansas City Royals +3,000
Chicago Cubs +3,000
Arizona Diamondbacks +3,000
Colorado Rockies +3,000
Milwaukee Brewers +3,000
Cincinnati Reds +3,000
Toronto Blue Jays +4,000
Washington Nationals +5,000
Chicago White Sox +6,000
Cleveland Indians +6,000
Minnesota Twins +6,000
Oakland Athletics +8,000
Seattle Mariners +8,000
Pittsburgh Pirates +10,000
Baltimore Orioles +10,000
San Diego Padres +10,000
New York Mets +10,000
Houston Astros +10,000
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The Phillies are back atop the World Series futures list despite the fact they came up short in the playoffs this season.
Philadelphia has been listed as the 4/1 favorite at Bovada to shake off their 2011 failure and win the 2012 World Series. They're followed by the New York Yankees at 13/2 odds on that baseball futures list, and the Boston Red Sox at 8/1 odds.
Can Texas finally win the World Series in 2012? They're at 12/1 on the World Series futures board, ahead of the Detroit Tigers and the defending-champion St. Louis Cardinals - who are both set at 14/1. San Francisco rounds out the top tier of contenders at 16/1 odds.
Odds to Win 2012 World Series at Bovada as of November 1:
Philadelphia Phillies 4/1
New York Yankees 13/2
Boston Red Sox 8/1
Texas Rangers 12/1
Detroit Tigers 14/1
St. Louis Cardinals 14/1
San Francisco Giants 16/1
Tampa Bay Rays 18/1
Atlanta Braves 18/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 20/1
Milwaukee Brewers 22/1
Chicago Cubs 25/1
Cincinnati Reds 25/1
Colorado Rockies 25/1
Los Angeles Angels 25/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 30/1
Florida Marlins 30/1
Chicago White Sox 30/1
Washington Nationals 30/1
Oakland Athletics 35/1
Toronto Blue Jays 35/1
Minnesota Twins 35/1
New York Mets 35/1
Cleveland Indians 50/1
Seattle Mariners 60/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 60/1
San Diego Padres 75/1
Baltimore Orioles 75/1
Kansas City Royals 75/1
Houston Astros 100/1
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The Philadelphia Phillies are atop the World Series odds list at the sportsbooks as the pennant races near their conclusion, but a pair of AL East clubs are close behind them.
The Phillies and their vaunted pitching staff are the 19/10 favorites at Bovada right now to win the World Series this fall, with the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox tied for second on that list at 9/2 odds.
The Milwaukee Brewers then sit at 7/1 odds on that MLB futures list, with the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers hanging onto 10/1 odds as the regular season comes to a close . . .
Odds to Win 2011 World Series at Bovada as of September 10:
Philadelphia Phillies 19/10
Boston Red Sox 9/2
New York Yankees 9/2
Milwaukee Brewers 7/1
Atlanta Braves 10/1
Detroit Tigers 10/1
Texas Rangers 11/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 12/1
Los Angeles Angels 30/1
Tampa Bay Rays 60/1
San Francisco Giants 100/1
St. Louis Cardinals 100/1
Chicago White Sox 200/1
Cleveland Indians 200/1
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The Philadelphia Phillies remain the World Series betting favorites as we head into the final stretch of the regular season.
The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are just behind the Phillies on the updated World Series futures list, with the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers rounding out the Top 5 . . .
Odds to Win 2011 World Series at Bovada as of July 29:
Philadelphia Phillies 5/2
Boston Red Sox 7/2
New York Yankees 13/2
San Francisco Giants 10/1
Texas Rangers 11/1
Atlanta Braves 12/1
Milwaukee Brewers 14/1
Detroit Tigers 20/1
St. Louis Cardinals 22/1
Chicago White Sox 30/1
Cincinnati Reds 35/1
Cleveland Indians 35/1
Los Angeles Angels 35/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 35/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 50/1
Minnesota Twins 50/1
Tampa Bay Rays 50/1
Colorado Rockies 65/1
Oakland Athletics 200/1
Toronto Blue Jays 200/1
New York Mets 250/1
Florida Marlins 300/1
Seattle Mariners 300/1
Washington Nationals 300/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 350/1
Kansas City Royals 400/1
Chicago Cubs 500/1
San Diego Padres 500/1
Baltimore Orioles 1000/1
Houston Astros 1000/1
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With the first half of the baseball season now in the books the Philadelphia Phillies remain the betting favorites to walk away as World Series champions this season.
The Phillies sit at 11/4 odds at Bovada to win this year's Fall Classic, and they headed into the break at a league-leading 57-34 with a 3.5-game lead on the Atlanta Braves in the NL East division standings.
Following the Phillies on the Bovada odds list to win this fall's World Series are the usual suspects – the Boston Red Sox sit at 7/2 to claim the championship, and the New York Yankees are at 6/1.
Next come the Braves at 14/1, with the Texas Rangers at 15/1, and both the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Francisco Giants at 16/1. The defending-champion Giants will enter the second half of the season with a three-game lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West division standings.
The best value pick on the board right now might be the 50/1 Pittsburgh Pirates, who ended the first half of the season just a single game back of the Cardinals and Brewers in the NL Central - putting a division title well within reach.
Odds to Win World Series at Bovada as of July 12:
Philadelphia Phillies 11/4
Boston Red Sox 7/2
New York Yankees 6/1
Atlanta Braves 14/1
Texas Rangers 15/1
Milwaukee Brewers 16/1
San Francisco Giants 16/1
Detroit Tigers 18/1
St. Louis Cardinals 20/1
Cincinnati Reds 28/1
Tampa Bay Rays 28/1
Chicago White Sox 30/1
Los Angeles Angels 30/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 35/1
Cleveland Indians 35/1
Colorado Rockies 40/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 50/1
Seattle Mariners 60/1
Minnesota Twins 65/1
Oakland Athletics 100/1
New York Mets 125/1
Toronto Blue Jays 125/1
Florida Marlins 200/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 200/1
Washington Nationals 200/1
San Diego Padres 250/1
Baltimore Orioles 300/1
Chicago Cubs 300/1
Kansas City Royals 300/1
Houston Astros 500/1
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Nothing's changed atop the World Series futures as the Philadelphia Phillies and their rotation of aces are still the favorite to win the Fall Classic.
The Phillies not only lead the Bovada World Series futures at 3/1, but they also own the best record in the league. With their rotation that shouldn't come as a surprise. Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels are tied for the lead in wins in the NL with nine, and Cliff Lee is right behind them with eight after pitching back-to-back complete-game shutouts in his last two starts.
While the Phillies' odds remain the same at Bovada the Boston Red Sox have quickly shot up the ranks. The Red Sox are currently right behind the Phillies on the Bovada World Series futures at 7/2. Boston's climb up the odds began earlier this month when they won nine games in a row and 14 out of 16 games. The Red Sox by far lead the league in runs scored behind the potent bat of Adrian Gonzalez, who has a Major League leading 69 RBI.
One of the biggest gainers on the World Series odds lately has been the Milwaukee Brewers. Last month the Brewers were a 25/1 underdog, but on the latest futures on Bovada the Brew Crew have climbed to 12/1. The Brewers have two of the best bats in the NL in Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder and they arguably have the best rotation in the NL Central led by Zack Greinke, Yovani Gallardo, and Shaun Marcum. In a playoff series the Brewers definitely have the talent to knock off any team, including the Phillies.
While the Red Sox and Brewers have been climbing the odds list the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins have been plummeting. The Rockies have gone from 13/1 on the odds down to 30/1 after going 8-21 in the month of May. Colorado has started to turn things around in June and could start moving back up the odds. If you think the Rockies are headed for another of their patented second-half surges now could be the best time to bet on them.
The Marlins are a complete mess right now and have dropped from 20/1 underdogs to 80/1 longshots on the futures at Bovada. That was bound to happen after losing 11 in a row at one point and 19-of-20 during a stretch in June. Even with Jack McKeon taking over as manager the chances of the Marlins making an amazing turnaround like they did in 2003 are highly unlikely.
Odds to Win World Series at Bovada as of June 23:
Philadelphia 3/1
Boston 7/2
NY Yankees 15/2
Milwaukee 12/1
Texas 13/1
San Francisco 16/1
Detroit 18/1
Atlanta 20/1
St. Louis 20/1
Cincinnati 22/1
Chicago White Sox 30/1
Colorado 30/1
Arizona 35/1
Cleveland 35/1
Tampa Bay 35/1
Seattle 40/1
LA Angels 45/1
Minnesota 50/1
Oakland 60/1
Pittsburgh 75/1
Florida 80/1
Toronto 80/1
LA Dodgers 100/1
NY Mets 150/1
Baltimore 175/1
Chicago Cubs 175/1
Kansas City 175/1
Washington 175/1
San Diego 250/1
Houston 500/1
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There's no shaking the Philadelphia Phillies from the top of the World Series futures.
At Bovada the oddsmakers have the Phillies entrenched as World Series favorites at +250. The Phillies have the best record in the NL right now and they arguably have the best rotation in all of baseball. Led by Cy Young winners Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, and filled out with former World Series MVP Cole Hamels and veteran Roy Oswalt, the Phillies could be unstoppable in a best-of-seven series.
Everyone already knows about the Phillies though. They've been the World Series favorites all season, and that isn't likely to change barring a major injury (or two) to their rotation. However, there have been some recent changes to the futures list at Bovada.
One major climber up the ranks are the St. Louis Cardinals. Some people doubted the Cardinals after they lost ace Adam Wainwright before the season. However, the emergence of Kyle McClellan, and Jaime Garcia proving that last year was no fluke, have vaulted the Cards up the odds from 40/1 to their current slot at 16/1. A red-hot start from Lance Berkman has also helped, as the Cards' offense doesn't have to rely so heavily on the big bats of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday.
Also getting some early respect from the Bovada oddsmakers are the Cleveland Indians. The Indians were a 60/1 World Series longshot a few weeks ago, but after maintaining their hot start and posting the top record in the major leagues the Tribe are now listed at 20/1. Justin Masterson has been pitching like an ace, while Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner are healthy and showing it at the plate.
It hasn't been all good news for the top teams on the odds list. The Texas Rangers have taken a bit of a tumble lately, down to 15/1 after peaking at 8/1 a few weeks ago. The Rangers' offense has quieted considerably lately, especially with Nelson Cruz joining Josh Hamilton on the disabled list. Texas could start crushing the ball again once they get healthy, so it may be an opportune time to bet on them while they have lost some favor with the oddsmakers.
Odds to Win World Series at Bovada as of May 12:
Philadelphia 3/1
NY Yankees 6/1
Boston 13/2
Colorado 13/1
Texas 15/1
St. Louis 16/1
San Francisco 18/1
Cincinnati 20/1
Cleveland 20/1
Atlanta 20/1
Florida 20/1
LA Angels 22/1
Milwaukee 25/1
Oakland 25/1
Tampa Bay 25/1
Detroit 35/1
Chicago White Sox 40/1
LA Dodgers 40/1
Minnesota 50/1
Chicago Cubs 55/1
Toronto 60/1
Baltimore 75/1
Kansas City 100/1
Seattle 100/1
Pittsburgh 100/1
San Diego 125/1
Arizona 150/1
Washington 150/1
NY Mets 150/1
Houston 250/1
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Two weeks into the new MLB season the Philadelphia Phillies are still big favorites on the World Series futures at Bovada.
Backed by one of the best rotations in all of baseball, the Phillies are a 3/1 favorite on the latest Bovada World Series futures. When Cole Hamels, a former World Series MVP, is the No. 4 man in your rotation you know you've got an amazing stockpile of arms. Front-loaded with Cy Young winners Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee and arguably the best pitcher over the last decade not to win a Cy Young, Roy Oswalt, the Phillies' pitching alone could get them to the postseason. Add a solid offense that includes slugger Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and eventually Chase Utley, and the Phillies are overloaded with top talent.
According to the oddsmakers at Bovada the biggest threat to a Phillies World Series title comes from AL East rivals the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The Yankees check in at 6/1 on the World Series futures, while the Red Sox are right behind them at 13/2.
There's no doubt the Yankees can hit as well as any other team in baseball. With a potent lineup that includes Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, and Jorge Posada the Yankees will never have trouble scoring runs. The big question mark for the Yankees is pitching. After failing to land a starter in the offseason, and the retirement of Andy Pettitte, the Yankees lack the big-name arms that Philadelphia and Boston have. Behind CC Sabathia the Yankees have an inconsistent A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes, who hasn't been able to find his velocity this season. Is that enough to get the Yankees back to the World Series?
The Red Sox were supposed to be the team to beat in the AL this season after they loaded up with Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford in the offseason. So far things aren't going as planned. Crawford wasn't hitting and the Red Sox pitching staff was getting hammered through an 0-6 start. It's still really early though, and with their talent the Red Sox are going to win a ton of games this summer. Getting them now at 13/2 may be a smart move if they get hot in the summer and start climbing up the odds.
The best pick for bettors right now could be the Texas Rangers at 8/1. Despite getting to the World Series last season the Rangers weren't the talk of the town heading into the season after losing Cliff Lee. Texas proved they are still contenders by getting off to the best start in franchise history. Losing MVP Josh Hamilton for six to eight weeks may take the wind out the Rangers' sails a bit, but they were putting up a ton of runs despite a slow start to the season from Hamilton anyway. With a lineup that still includes Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, Adrian Beltre, and Elvis Andrus the Rangers should have no trouble scoring runs with Hamilton on the shelf.
One team bettors may be wondering about are the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants; they're currently a 16/1 underdog on the World Series futures. With Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain leading the rotation the Giants still have the power arms that carried them through the playoffs last year. However, they also still have a questionable offense that is in the middle of the pack in runs scored so far this season. Can the Giants' pitching carry their mediocre offense to another World Series title?
Odds to Win World Series at Bovada as of April 14:
Philadelphia 3/1
NY Yankees 6/1
Boston 13/2
Texas 8/1
Cincinnati 15/1
Colorado 16/1
San Francisco 16/1
Chicago White Sox 18/1
Atlanta 22/1
Milwaukee 25/1
Minnesota 25/1
Oakland 30/1
Detroit 35/1
LA Angels 35/1
LA Dodgers 35/1
Baltimore 40/1
St. Louis 40/1
Chicago Cubs 45/1
Toronto 45/1
San Diego 50/1
Tampa Bay 50/1
Cleveland 60/1
Florida 60/1
NY Mets 65/1
Kansas City 125/1
Washington 125/1
Arizona 150/1
Pittsburgh 150/1
Seattle 150/1
Houston 250/1
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The Chicago Cubs are the latest team to try and bolster their World Series odds on the trade market. The Cubs completed a deal with the Rays for starting pitcher Matt Garza over the weekend, improving their rotation after a disappointing 75-win season in 2010.
Righthander Garza went 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA and 150 strikeouts for Tampa Bay last season, and is a lifetime 42-44 with a 3.97 ERA. He'll slot into the Cubs' rotation alongside Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster, giving the team a better chance to improve on last year's results. At Sportsbook.ag the Cubs are listed at +3000 to win the World Series in 2011, but the Garza acquisition should help shorten that line. That's 30/1 for those accustomed to seeing underdog odds shown in that format.
Leading the World Series odds list at Sportsbook.ag are the Philadelphia Phillies, who completed the biggest offseason coup when they added prized free-agent starter Cliff Lee to a staff that already included Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt. That murderer's row of starting pitchers has the Phillies at +180 on the odds list.
The Boston Red Sox made the next biggest splash over the winter, signing outfielder Carl Crawford and acquiring slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres. Boston missed the playoffs in 2010 despite putting up an 89-73 record, but the influx of offense will get them right back into the mix.
The BoSox are at +500 on the World Series lines at Sportsbook.ag, just ahead of the rival Yankees at +600 odds.
Other major moves this offseason included the Nationals signing outfielder Jayson Werth, the Rangers inking third baseman Adrian Beltre, the White Sox agreeing to terms with first baseman Adam Dunn, the Tigers bringing in catcher Victor Martinez, and the Brewers acquiring starting pitcher Zack Greinke in a major deal with the Royals.
And how will those moves affect the MLB odds for the 2011 World Series? Well, the Nationals won't get much of a boost on those lines until they show they can put together a decent season; they're huge +10000 underdogs to win the title.
The Rangers and Tigers are both at +2000 at Sportsbook.ag, with the White Sox at +2500. A significant upgrade in the rotation for the Brewers still has them at +3000 odds this year.