The MLB season is already well underway, and while there is still a lot we don’t know, there are many things we do. At this point of the season, we have a reasonable idea of which teams are most likely to make deep runs into the playoffs and earn a historic world series title. While there is still much unpredictability, oddsmakers have set their top picks.
So who are these top teams that appear most likely to win a World Series? Let’s look. Below are the five MLB teams with the best odds to win this year, according to the odds from the well-known bookmaker, PowerPlay Canada.
Atlanta Braves (+400)
The Atlanta Braves have established themselves as one of the most intelligent franchises in sports, quickly signing their top players to team-friendly deals. Now, they possess one of the most balanced, talented rosters in the league. Led by a likely MVP candidate in Ronald Acuna, and with elite pitchers like Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder holding down the frontline, this is a team that has all the ingredients for a deep run. And their big offseason addition, catcher Sean Murphy, looks like a home run.
Tampa Bay Rays (+450)
The Tampa Bay Rays have been a model franchise for stretching out a payroll for years, and they might have assembled their best team yet. The Rays are led by a dominant pitching staff, with ace Shane McClanahan looking like a Cy Young frontrunner. But now, they have the hitting to back it up. Wander Franco is one of the future faces of the league, Randy Arozarena is an RBI machine, and their secondary players like Josh Lowe, Yandy Diaz, and Isaac Paredes are mashing. There is no real weakness for this team.
Los Angeles Dodgers (+500)
The Dodgers are never really out of it. After a rough offseason, many thought the Dodgers would take a substantial step back this year. And what have they done? Continued to be the competitive, winning franchise that they have been for years now. The Dodgers lost players like Trea Turner, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, and Tyler Anderson in the offseason. But their roster has been up to the task, with players like Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and new signee J.D Martinez delivering. Their pitching staff has been banged up, but with them getting healthy now, watch out.
Houston Astros (+650)
While the season hasn't gone off to a roaring start for the Houston Astros, the defending champions have been solid. They've navigated some issues, such as injuries to Jose Altuve and a huge underperformance from marquee free agent signee Jose Abreu, and are still well above .500. There is nothing stopping this team from resuming their postseason dominance, as the players that led them there offensive last year, including Jeremy Pena, Kyle Tucker, and slugger Yordan Alvarez, are all still there. The pitching staff is elite, too, with three frontline performers in Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and Hunter Brown.
New York Yankees (+1100)
The New York Yankees are always lurking as a threat to compete. While they haven’t gotten off to the dominant start that some expected, and they are well behind their divisional race to the Rays, the Yankees have still been one of the better teams in the American League and sit comfortably in a wild card spot. Led by Aaron Judge, who remains a force of nature, the Yankees have gotten solid production from their bats, including a great start from Anthony Rizzo. Their pitching staff has not been great outside of Gerrit Cole, but they’ve found ways to win regardless. If the pitchers get hot, they could compete.
