MLB World Series Betting
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Bookmakers Review
- August 16, 2024
Our MLB betting experts analyze and review the current World Series odds available at top sportsbooks.
Top World Series Sportsbooks
| SPORTSBOOK | TRUST SCORE | ONLINE SINCE | Expert Review | BONUS | Bet Now |
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2001
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100% Free Play
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1996
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$500 Cash Bonus
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2014
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50% Free Play
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2001
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$250 Free Bet
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2002
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55% Cash Bonus
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2011
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$750 Cash Bonus
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1996
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$500 Cash Bonus
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Latest 2024 World Series Odds
I will first review the current odds and explain why the most heavily favored teams are listed at their current prices.
Then, I will discuss betting strategy and offer two Best Bets: you should invest your standard unit in the Orioles and, for your long-shot wager, you should sprinkle a little on the Mariners.
American League Odds
National League Odds
Analyzing the Contenders for the 2024 World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers (+325)
Any review of the current World Series odds must begin with the Dodgers.
On paper, the Dodgers appear to be the most talented team. Their lineup boasts three MVP winners in Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts.
L.A.’s pitching staff also features proven veterans, such as Tyler Glasnow, whose FIP (like ERA but factors out fielding) was below 3.00 in each of his last two fuller seasons.
Absurdly, James Paxton with his 3.75 career ERA serves as the team’s number five starting pitcher according to its depth chart.
The Dodgers’ bullpen, which ranks fourth in ERA, is likewise well-stocked.
Philadelphia Phillies (+400)
In terms of having a large number of players with proven high-caliber ability, the Phillies are competitive with the Dodgers.
Philadelphia has broken a franchise record by sending eight players to this year’s All-Star Game, which shows how well-rounded they are as a group.
We all know slugger Bryce Harper but don’t forget Trea Turner in the lineup.
While the pitching rotation is led by Zack Wheeler, who has carried Philadelphia on his back in previous postseasons, Ranger Suarez is having the best season in his career this year.
Philadelphia’s bullpen features reliable relievers like Jeff Hoffman. In previous postseasons, Philadelphia has advanced by relying heavily on a low number of relievers, so it is important that it can count on a guy like Hoffman, among other relievers.
New York Yankees (+600)
The Yankees are the third-most favored team despite their ongoing slump. They were 49-21 in the middle of June and enter the All-Star Break 58-40.
58-40 is still a good record, but it is concerning that they are 9-19 in their last 28 games. I find this slump to be telling. They have too many struggling hitters; relatedly, their lineup shows a lack of depth.
With a lack of young player development and veteran acquisitions that are not panning out, the team appears poorly constructed in general.
The bullpen is also proving to be overrated, yet the team needs to rely extra heavily on pitching in order to make up for the deficiencies of its lineup, which leans too heavily on Aaron Judge.
The Yankees, especially at their current price, are absolutely not worth investing in. This team does not have a realistic shot at making it to the World Series.
Odds Analysis
The odds are slow to adjust because preseason predictions often reflect a team’s quality and potential better than a team’s record will do before very late in the season. In certain phases, even extensive ones, of the season, teams will appear to be better than they are.
Cleveland, for example, has the second-highest winning percentage in baseball, yet the Guardians are listed at +1400 to Win the World Series.
You have to avoid being swayed by teams playing well for certain periods of time. If you look at a roster like Cleveland’s, you can make a strong argument that its current success is unsustainable.
Because it’s a long season and things change, you rather want to invest in teams that are in a rut because you’ll find value with those teams. Of course, some slumping teams are slumping for reasons that suggest that they will continue to struggle.
Some teams that are performing well will likewise continue to perform well.
Value
If life were a video game, I would pick the Dodgers in a heartbeat because they are the most talented team. But how many times does the most talented team fail to sniff the World Series? The Dodgers have repeatedly failed to reach the World Series despite the talent on their roster.
Surprise teams, like Arizona and Texas last year, will annually prove many people wrong.
It is desirable to identify good surprise teams because such a team will offer a great payout. Recent years, such as last season, also show that it’s realistic to expect surprise teams to go far in the postseason, and maybe one such team will win the World Series.
Why I Like The Orioles
Given the current prices, I like Baltimore. Though its success in this year’s postseason would not create much of a surprise, I still find there to be value in this team because of how it’s priced relative to the likes of the Dodgers and Phillies. I don’t see why the Orioles should have any less of a chance, than those two teams, at winning the World Series, and yet their odds are so attractive.
Many Great Hitters
Despite oddly hitting much better away than home, the Orioles rank fifth in runs per game. They have several strong hitters. In fact, they could almost fill an entire lineup with guys who have an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .780 or better.
So, they have great depth of hitting but can also lean on superb individuals, like home run-hitting stud Gunnar Henderson.
Promising Pitching
Baltimore can lean on Corbin Burnes, who has won a Cy Young before and looks like he can do so again. This team has an excellent record because it has Burnes in addition to other good pitchers and especially its excellent lineup.
The Orioles are going to bolster their pitching staff before the upcoming trade deadline. They have the quality in their farm system – led by three top-20 prospects – to acquire the excellence of pitching that they will need to win the World Series.
Their odds to win the World Series will strongly improve when they make the trades that they are strongly expected to make, so it’s best to bet on them now before those trades do take place.
Even before these trades, they are deservedly considered one of baseball’s best teams, and they could win 100 games, as they did last year, with their current roster.
MLB Pick: Orioles (+650) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Seattle Mariners: Long-Shot Option
Because there are so many teams to choose from and many have attractive odds, and because things will change over the course of a long season, it’s good to invest in multiple teams.
Seattle is a nice long-shot option because it is dramatically closer to being a World Series-quality team than the odds suggest.
The key stat is this: Seattle is 39-9 when scoring 4+ runs in a game. This stat shows that the pitching is there. We’ve also seen in several high-scoring affairs that the lineup can be very good, the hitting just needs to be more consistent.
Seattle should add bats before the trade deadline to help its cause. If the Mariners just improve their hitting consistency, then they will prove to be one of baseball’s best teams, and yet they are priced as a big long-shot at the moment.
Because the payout potential is so attractive, you can sprinkle a little bit on the Mariners, in addition to investing your standard unit in the Orioles.
MLB Pick: Mariners (+2200) at BetOnline
Key Players
Aaron Judge is the most important batter on the Yankees and arguably their most prolific player overall. He regularly one of baseball’s best home run hitters. He is in great home-run-hitting form this year, as he might threaten his home run total of 62 from 2022. But he doesn’t just hit home runs: he’ll also bat around .300.
Zack Wheeler is, alongside Harper, Philadelphia’s most important player. The Phillies will count on him in Game 1 of the World Series if Philly should advance thus far. He is a reliable option in the World Series, as the stage does not bother him. In his career, he boasts a 2.42 postseason ERA. He can lean on his fastball, especially, which his hard to hit given its combination of strong velocity and high spin rate, making it hard for batters to keep up with and to track its movement.
Tyler Glasnow, for the Dodgers, will reliably give them a strong six or seven innings on the mound. The velocity and spin rate of his fastball are both superb, enabling this pitch to yield a BA below .200. He also throws a hard slider and a wicked curveball that is even harder to hit because of the change of velocity that it creates relative to his fastball and slider.
2024 World Series Schedule
- Game 1: October 25
- Game 2: October 26
- Game 3: October 28
- Game 4: October 29
- Game 5: October 30
- Game 6: November 1
- Game 7: November 2
How to Watch the 2024 World Series
ESPN, ESPN 2, FOX, FS1, and TBS will broadcast the entire MLB playoffs.
You can also stream those channels on YouTube TV, Hulu, fuboTV, and Sling TV.
How To Sign up at a Sportsbook to Bet on the 2024 World Series
Step 1: Pick A Site. BetOnline and Bovada are two examples of reliable sportsbooks.
Step 2: Sign Up. Provide information about yourself in order to register your account.
Step 3: Make A Deposit. Look for any deals and offers that sportsbooks will often have.
Step 4: Place Your Bets. Familiarize yourself with the sportsbook’s betting options.
Historical World Series Champions
2019
Houston was favored at -235 to beat Washington. Despite being listed at +195 to win this series, the Nationals won this series in seven games.
This triumph was memorable for them because they were, early in the season, 19-31. They provided great proof of the fact that earlier parts of a given season may be irrelevant to latter parts because they clearly became a different team. They became a better team but also a clutch one, as evident in the fact that they were down 3-2 in this series.
2020
The Dodgers were favored at -210 to defeat Tampa Bay. This series was memorable because of how good L.A.’s pitching was. The Dodgers held the Rays to three runs or fewer in four of six games.
2021
Houston was favored at -140 to beat Atlanta. Despite being listed at +120, the Astros won this series in six games.
What is most memorable about Atlanta’s win is not the series itself but the path to the series. Atlanta entered the postseason with the fewest wins of that year’s postseason teams. The Braves won 88 regular season games whereas all the other postseason teams won 90.
Atlanta’s success highlights the distinction between postseason and regular-season baseball.
2022
The Astros were favored at -200 to beat the Phillies.
Their win was memorable because of how hated they were. They had a chip on their shoulder because of the cheating scandal that they had been involved in. They were arguably the most motivated team that season because they wanted to show that they were a great team and not a team that relied on cheating.
2023
The Rangers were favored at -165 against the Diamondbacks. When they clinched the series, they had to overcome the opposing starting pitcher’s no-hit bid. Their own starter gave a gutsy performance, helping attest to the resilience of Texas’ team.
How to Bet on the 2024 World Series
The first step is to sign up at a top sportsbook by registering and making a deposit at a trusted website. Then you should familiarize yourself with the sportsbook’s betting options by touring its menu. Different websites are set up differently. BetOnline, for example, has a black menu at the left.
There, you’ll want to click on “baseball” in order to access the betting options for the World Series, which will include an upcoming game and the entire series.
Focus on Value, Not Just Winners
My first tip for bettors is not to bet simply on who you think will win. This might sound counterintuitive, but betting on who you think you will ignores the fact of prices, which is a crucial component of betting.
For example, let’s say that the Dodgers ML is -500 in a given game against the Yankees.
You should not bet on the Dodgers ML because if the Yankees were to win – and anything can happen in a given game, especially when the opponent has capable, professional athletes who might have certain matchup advantages or who might play more loosely because nobody expects them to win – then you would need to hit several bets in a row in order to make up for the single loss.
If you were so confident in the Dodgers winning, then you would want to bet them on the run-line to get a cheaper price. So, to be clear, my first tip is to look for attractive prices – for value, that is.
Bet Consistently
My next tip is to bet the same amount on every game. If you bet a lot on a single game and lose, then you will place a greater burden on yourself to make up for that one loss.
You should simply be confident in the games that you choose to bet on. If you do have greater confidence in a single game, then you should maintain humility – because unexpected things can always happen: umpires, for example, are notoriously imperfect – and resist the temptation to wager more.
Embrace the Risk
That being said, you can’t be afraid of losing. Risk within your means, but also have confidence in your ability to foresee outcomes.
By investing diligence in an analysis of matchups, trends, situational circumstances, injuries, and other important factors, you will give yourself a good chance of being right and winning money.
At some point, after feeling like you’ve done your due diligence, you have to let loose and have fun with your wagers.
2024 World Series Betting Strategy
When placing bets, you have to be humble and recognize that you are not omniscient. Because you will inevitably make mistakes, it is important to find the best prices and manage your bankroll. You should sign up at multiple sportsbooks so that you can always find the best prices. You should also bet the same amount for each game. By following these strategies, you give yourself a larger margin of error. You can lose more games and lose less money as a result.
Deeper Statistics for Better Decisions
As for betting on individual games, let’s think about what goes into your decisions. When deciding on who to bet on, you come to a decision by assessing the reality of what has happened. You need to look at deeper statistics, things like xBA (expected batting average) for hitters and entire lineups and FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) for pitchers and entire pitching staffs, because these are more accurate measures of reality.
For example, surface-level stats – batting average, for example – will not distinguish between a team that hits the ball super hard but gets zero hits and a team that hits the ball very softly and gets zero hits.
This is a problem because there truly is a huge difference. If a team is failing to get hits in the first two games of the World Series, then you might be inclined to fade that team in game three because you think that the lineup is cold.
But if the team is hitting the ball really hard and its xBA is really high, then you might actually bet on that team because you know that that team will be due for a good performance, for a performance that reflects the reality of how well it is hitting the ball.
The Importance of Matchups
Baseball is more than just batting averages and ERAs. Betting on a game is not just about comparing team xBAs and team FIPs. You have to look at matchups.
You can understand the importance of matchups by looking at splits. While, for example, Philadelphia’s season-long BA might be attractive, it might be unattractive when specifically facing left-handed pitchers.
So, if Philadelphia is favored in a game where its opponent starts a lefty, then it might be wise to bet on Philadelphia’s opponents.
Understand Line Movement
One thing that can change lines rapidly in the postseason is pitching matchups. Teams often switch their starting pitching choices at the last minute in the World Series, looking to gain any edge they can when facing must-win games.
Betting on the Team of Destiny
Often, the momentum behind a team of destiny can provide a guide for sports bettors wagering on the World Series. A total of eight Wild Card teams have won the World Series, and most of these victories were at the expense of teams that owned strong records and top futures odds.
Remember the 1997 and 2003 Marlins squads that overcame the odds and won the World Series? Edgar Renteria and Josh Beckett sure do.
Consistent pitching, offensive production, staying healthy and getting hot at the right time can have as much to do with World Series success as any other statistics. Understanding how these factors carry over or change from the regular season is important in developing a strong MLB playoff betting strategy.
Emphasize Recent Performance
The significance of getting hot at the right time speaks to a crucial aspect of baseball betting in general that certainly also applies to betting on the World Series.
The baseball season is long. Over the course of a long season, a player’s form will change, as will the quality of the entire team. Season-long statistics are problematic in that they place equal emphasis on how players and teams perform in April and on how they perform in September.
Because how they perform in April is likely irrelevant to their form during the time of postseason baseball, you’ll want to emphasize more recent segments of the season – say, the most recent month – when you evaluate player and team statistics.
Understand Postseason Strategy
Postseason baseball is a different beast.
Teams adjust their strategies in October, so bettors have to as well. One key difference in MLB postseason strategy is how deep starting pitchers go.
Teams have extremely short leashes on their rotations in October, not afraid to turn to the bullpen after four or five innings of work. This can impact your individual game bets if a team has a shaky bullpen, but it is especially important to remember for prop bets like a pitcher’s strikeout total.
Remember the basic betting fundamentals:
- Setting a budget
- Monitor the injury report. After all, might bet on a given team, but teams consist of players
- Bet with your head, not your heart
- And have fun while you’re wagering
What is the World Series?
The World Series is what every team in Major League Baseball strives to participate in. It is the sport’s most significant event: the winner of the World Series is crowned champion, just like the winner of the Super Bowl for the NFL and the winner of the NBA Finals. When you look at the history of past seasons, you’ll be sure to discover who won the World Series in a given season, because the outcome of the World Series is the most crucial part for the teams competing in that season.
Because of the World Series’ importance, great historical significance and general interest are attached to it. For example, while we don’t remember a comeback that took place in a given regular season game, we do still remember when the Giants, up three games to two in their series against the Angels in 2002, were eight outs away from winning the World Series and nonetheless managed to lose the series.
The first World Series took place in 1903 with the Boston Americans playing the Pittsburgh Pirates. Since its beginning, the World Series has been host to a number of unforgettable moments etched in the annals of history. The game’s best ever players – from Babe Ruth to the duo of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling – have participated in the World Series.
The New York Yankees, with 27, have won the most World Series titles. They are the team that, historically speaking, is most strongly associated with World Series success. Might they add to that number this year? Or next year? Additional World Series prominence always seems to be a possibility for them.
The Road to the World Series
To get to the World Series, teams must first make the playoffs. In each league, the AL and NL, six teams qualify for the playoffs. Those six teams will be three division winners plus three wild cards – wild cards are the teams with the best record that did not win their respective division
To advance to the World Series, a team must win each playoff round that it is involved in. The top two seeds earn first-round byes, giving them one less series to have to win. The three seed will face the six seed and the four and five seeds will square off. Then, the number one seed will face the winner of the four seed-five seed series while the second seed will face the winner of the three seed-six seed series. The winner of that and the following rounds will advance to the World Series
The World Series is best-of-seven. Home field advantage goes to the team with the best record. If both teams have the same record, then there are a number of tiebreakers, the first of which is the head-to-head record.
How To Read MLB Betting Lines And Odds
Moneylines
You are betting on the winner of a given game or of a series.
For example, the Dodgers ML might be -500 in a given game against the Yankees.
Run Lines
You are betting on a spread. For example, the Dodgers run line at -1.5 might be priced at -220 in a given game against the Yankees.
In order to win a bet on the Dodgers run line, the Dodgers would have to win by at least two runs. If the Dodgers lose or win by only one run, then the Yankees run-line would hit.
Totals
You are betting on the number of runs.
For example, the over/under for a game might be eight runs. By betting the “over,” you are saying that both teams will combine for more than eight runs.
By betting the “under,” you are saying that both teams will combine for fewer than eight runs. If the game finishes with exactly eight runs, then you will neither lose nor win your bet – you’ll simply get your moneyline.
Prop Bets
You are betting on a number of different things associated with a given game.
For example, you might think that Aaron Judge will have a great night in a given game. You might bet on him to hit a home run or to get multiple hits.
First Five Innings
If you like a starting pitcher but not the bullpen on the starter’s team, then you might want to confine yourself to a first-five innings bet.
For example, if you think that Chris Sale will thrive while his counterpart will struggle, then you might bet on the Braves first-five innings money-line.
Live Betting
The odds of a given game will change relative to its pre-game odds.
For example, the Dodgers ML might be -500 at the start of a game. But then they might score three runs in the first inning and the live Dodgers ML would explode to -1500. At that point, the Yankees ML or the Yankees RL could become attractive enough bets to justify at least taking a flyer on one of them.
Live betting is a great option because so many things aren’t going to be known before a game that will become known during a game. And these things that become known can help decide the outcome of a game.
For example, let’s say that team A is slightly favored over team B. Let’s say that team A has a really good starter, so you, before the game, don’t want to bet on team B.
However, let’s say that team A’s starter is throwing a lot of pitches. You might figure that his high pitch count will make it necessary that he leave the game early, which entails that his team’s relievers will pitch more innings. If you really dislike his team’s bullpen, then you might want to place a live bet on team B.
Live betting, in sum, allows you to find opportunities that were not perceptible before a game.
2023 World Series Recap
Last year, the Texas Rangers (-165 to win the series) and Arizona Diamondbacks (+145 to win the series) squared off in the World Series.
Texas had a long and difficult path to the World Series. In the Wild Card round, the Rangers were strong underdogs in both of their wins in Tampa Bay. After surprising the Rays, they then had to defeat Baltimore before enduring a grueling series against rival Houston that went the distance.
Arizona’s path was arguably more improbable and more impressive than Texas’. The Diamondbacks, too, swept their Wild Card round series by winning both road matchups. Then, they swept the mighty Dodgers before defeating the Phillies in seven games.
Highlights and Key Players
In the World Series itself, Texas won four of five games. Marcus Semien stepped up for his ballclub. The Rangers’ second baseman had a hit in each game in the series and belted two home runs to go with eight RBIs.
It was not Semien but Corey Seager, though, who was World Series MVP. Seager was particularly dominant in the last two games of the series, going 4-for-9 with a double and a home run. More than his stats, his timing in the series was impressive. Texas might not have won the series without his decisive home runs in the bottom of the ninth in Game 1 and in the third inning in Game 3.
Betting Lessons from the Underdogs
Many bettors found it surprising that the Dodgers did not even make it to the 2023 World Series. They were highly thought of by oddsmakers that they were heavy favorites even when they were down 0-2 and playing Game 3 in Arizona.
While they had the big names, their failure shows how much quality there is in the players who get less hype. They lost to an underdog Arizona team that had several good players even if those players aren’t as well-known. The betting lesson here is to be open-minded about investing in underdogs. One carries an open mind about betting on underdogs by appreciating the capabilities of lower-profile players.
Likewise, high-profile players will sometimes disappoint. The Dodgers are just one such team whose group of stars disappointed. One had expected a lot more, likewise, from the Rays. The Yankees, for whom expectations are always high, did not even make the playoffs.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About the World Series
Can I attend a World Series game?
Yes, but it is very difficult, Because the World Series is not, like the Super Bowl, played at a site declared in advance, but played at the respective venues of two different teams, it is hard to plan in advance. People who regularly buy tickets for either of the participating teams and people with a lot of money who can afford to make last-minute plans will have an advantage.
When will i know which teams are participating in the World Series?
The World Series is a matchup between the winner of the AL and the winner of the NL. When the postseason bracket possesses to the point that each league (AL and NL) has a winner, then that is when the World Series matchup will be determined.
Are World Series games still nine innings?
Yes, but there remain other slight changes to the rules. For example, in regular season baseball, a runner will start on second base in each half inning starting with the top of the tenth. In the playoffs, though, there will not be this automatic baserunner.
