As the 2024 Major League Baseball season enters its final stretch, the Los Angeles Dodgers have positioned themselves as strong contenders for the World Series title, boasting the best record in the National League. With 35 games left to play, the Dodgers’ odds of winning the World Series have dipped to just +300 at some sportsbooks. Los Angeles is 7-3 over the last ten games, and the team has been bolstered by the return of Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Clayton Kershaw from injury, adding depth and experience to a team already rich in talent. Shohei Ohtani, the leading National League MVP candidate, has been instrumental in their success this season and is pacing to become the sixth player to join the 40-40 club. The Dodgers superstar stole his 38th base yesterday against the Seattle Mariners to go along with his 39 homers on the season.
The Dodgers’ sustained success is not just a result of their current season’s performance but also a continuation of their recent history. They have been a formidable force in baseball, reaching the World Series three times in the last five years and securing the championship in 2020. Maintaining the position of favorites from the season’s start to mid-August is a rarity in baseball, yet the Dodgers have managed to do so. This achievement speaks volumes about their consistent performance and roster strength. Despite facing challenges such as injuries to key position players Mookie Betts and Max Muncy, the Dodgers’ depth has allowed them to navigate these setbacks effectively, keeping them at the top of the standings.
One Name: Shohei Ohtani. The most talked about man in baseball. Shohei Ohtani has established himself as an exceptional and successful Major League Baseball player. Ohtani is hitting remarkable statistics in his inaugural season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, as seen by his MLB regular season and All-Star break performances. Teams will undoubtedly attempt to walk Ohtani intentionally throughout the postseason, but it may prove more challenging due to the strategic arrangement of the Dodgers’ order at the top. Even without Ohtani having played in the postseason, his batting skills alone will significantly enhance the Dodgers’ performance in October, making them a formidable team.
Ohtani and Betts: A Dynamic Duo for the Postseason
Mookie Betts has achieved superstar status while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox. We have witnessed his exceptional performance in the regular season, with minor setbacks in the playoffs. For the Dodgers to fulfill their high sportsbook probability of winning the World Series, Betts must elevate his performance to a higher level throughout October. He undoubtedly possesses that performing skill, and when combined with Ohtani, this pair will be a formidable force in the postseason.
Injury Concerns and the Dodgers’ Bullpen
The Dodgers have experienced the most unfortunate injury occurrences this season compared to any other club. Reversing this situation will be crucial for them to make significant improvements and have a strong chance of reaching the World Series. Injuries may be perceived as a mere justification, but in the case of this Dodgers team, it is difficult to identify a more significant cause for their difficulties. They have been without Muncy since mid-May. They have been without Betts since mid-June. Yamamoto descended one day before to Betts… It’s been a nightmare! The team’s ability to overcome injuries and achieve regular-season success is a credit to the strength of their squad. However, it is evident to avid fans and critics that they are not entirely sure the World Series is in their future. They must reverse their misfortune with injuries throughout the remaining two months and extend it into October; only then will they pose a significant danger to win the Commissioner’s Trophy.
While the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen has demonstrated exceptional baseball performance, its success in October isn’t guaranteed. The Dodgers bullpen consists of skilled relievers who lack significant experience in high-pressure situations during October. Will they be able to maintain the level of dominance that we have witnessed at some points this year? If yes, and should the injury woes be overcome, there aren’t many teams capable of stopping the Blue Crew, and another World Series might very well be justified by the season-long future betting odds we’ve seen thus far.
The Road to the World Series: A Look at the Competition
Let us examine the 2024 World Series odds for each team at top bookmakers.
World Series odds as of August 16, 2024.
The Philadelphia Phillies have cooled enough to allow the Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers to catch them for the best record in the National League, but they still maintain second-best odds to win the World Series at +500. The Phillies have built on their back-to-back National League Championship Series appearances and are looking to win the National League East for the first time since 2011. In the National League West, the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks have been two of the hottest teams since the All-Star break. The Padres, with odds of +1700 according to the experts at BetZillion, have made a remarkable turnaround, significantly narrowing the Dodgers’ lead in the division. The Diamondbacks, with odds of +2300, have also improved their standing in the division. Both teams sit comfortably in wild-card spots ahead of the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants. The Braves, who have won the National League East six straight seasons, remain in the playoff picture despite losing star player Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season. Their odds have fallen to +1500, and they have a slim 2-game lead over the Mets for the final wild card birth. Atlanta has a home series against New York at the end of September, and that may decide if they make or miss the playoffs.
Over in the American League, the New York Yankees, another deep-pocketed powerhouse, are not far behind the Dodgers with odds of +550. Aaron Judge, a frontrunner for the league MVP, and Juan Soto have led the Yankees’ potent offense, which is second in the league in runs scored with 640. Despite some ups and downs, the Yankees’ potent offense and solid bullpen staff have kept them competitive in the American League East.
The Baltimore Orioles have emerged as a semi-surprise contender with odds of +700. Their blend of young talent and experienced players has kept them at the forefront of the American League race, defying expectations and proving to be a formidable opponent. They are tied with the Yankees for the division lead and hold a 6-4 edge in head-to-head games.
Under Stephen Vogt’s management, the Cleveland Guardians lead the American League Central with odds of +1600. Their defense and pitching have been their mainstays, highlighting their potential to make a deep postseason run. However, the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins are just 3.5 games out, meaning a single series sweep could quickly change the division’s dynamics in a weekend. Over in the American League West, the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers have struggled to replicate last year’s success. Falling to 59-69 and all but out of playoff contention. Meanwhile, their instate rival, Houston Astros, has been the best team in baseball since June 1st. The Astros have gone 43-25 and sit on top of the American League West standings after starting the season 25-33. Houston has a 4.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners, who have been 3-7 in their last ten games.
Can the Dodgers Stay Atop the Odds Board?
The odds continue to chronicle the narrative of which team could emerge victorious in this year’s Fall Classic, with approximately six weeks remaining before the MLB regular season ends. Los Angeles remains the favorite to win the World Series, as the odds board summits remain unchanged. Despite a recent decline in the power rankings, bettors favoring L.A. are optimistic about the team’s future. That said, the trade deadline acquisition of Jack Flaherty from Detroit added a needed arm to a starting battery devastated by injuries over the last two seasons. The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to assert their dominance in Major League Baseball, maintaining their status as frontrunners for the World Series with odds currently at +360 on trusted online sports betting sites. This consistency in odds reflects their strong performance throughout the season. The Dodgers are 73-52 and hold a three-game lead in the National League West. With the MLB All-Star break behind them, teams concentrate on the playoff race. For perennial playoff teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, securing one of the top two seeds and a first-round bye is paramount. The Dodgers’ last need is a short series in which depth doesn’t matter much.
