The 2024 MLB Season: Who Takes the World Series?
There is hardly anything better for a sports fan than a new season of their favorite competition. With so many sports to watch it is important to find the one that is comforting enough to watch it any time and place. And when you are also an avid sports gambling enthusiast, a new season is the best time of year. Two of your favorite hobbies coming together to offer you months of fun and potential winnings. For baseball fans, the stretch from March to September is the most important part of the sports season, as it is when the regular season of the MLB starts and ends. And what is better than the regular season? Well, the postseason of course!
From October 1 to November 2, the fans will follow the postseason games and place their bets on division series games. It is part of the year when the best teams separate themselves from the above-average and start their final push for the World Series. So what are the matchups and who should you pick to win them? What kind of bets are the most popular and who has the best odds to come out on top? In the remainder of this baseball sports betting guide, we answer these questions and more so that you can properly bet on MLB matches and win money in the process. If you are a fan of the sport and enjoy wagering, make sure to stick to the end!
Division Series Matchups and Odds
With the Wild Card stage over and some great games already behind us, the next stage of the season starts on October 5 with two of the matchups opening this year’s Division Series. First, the Cleveland Guardians (2) take on the Detroit Tigers (6), and a few hours after them the Philadelphia Phillies (2) face off against the New York Mets. On October 6, the bettors should get ready to place their bets on the New York Yankees (1) and the Kansas City Royals (5) Game 1, as well as the first game in the California duel between the Los Angeles Dodgers (1) and San Diego Padres.
These are the four Division Series matchups, the pinnacle of the MLB playoffs where the stakes are as high as they can be since they give the winners the ticket to the League Championship Series. So who should you pick and why? Is there a clear-cut winner in each of the clashes or is there a hard-fought battle somewhere in the mix? Well, the sportsbooks always have their favorites which does not always have to guarantee the winner. Still, it is time we take a look at the odds and determine which teams have a better chance to move on in the playoffs.
In the Tigers vs. Guardians matchup, as of the writing of this article, the favorite to win are the Cleveland Guardians with -130 as the Detroit Tigers currently sit at +108. This is understandable as they are most people’s favorite in this interesting matchup. Then there is the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees clash. Here, the Yankees should take it with the odds of -205 right now to the Royals +172. It is the Yankees after all, a team that is always a fan-favorite betting option.
With California clashes, it is always interesting to watch which team comes out on top regardless of the sport. In this year’s MLB playoffs, the LA Dodgers led by the generational talent and the best player right now, Shohei Ohtani, have better odds than their San Diego Padres neighbors. LA sits at -134 versus the Padres at +114. It is the Dodgers’ season in many fans and sportsbook’s eyes, so it would be unwise to bet against them. Last but not least, the other NY team, the Mets, will have a tough time coming out on top versus the Phillies. The Philadelphia team fares better with the bookies right now with -188 odds over the NY team’s +158.
The World Series Favorites and Odds
Although there are ways to go before any of the teams gets a chance to battle for the ultimate prize, it is always fun to speculate about the MLB predictions and picks to win the World Series. It is something sports bettors and wager enthusiasts cannot help but wonder. It helps them make their picks and better prepare for the games that precede the biggest stage. Now, before the National League and American League Championship Series are still to be determined, it is perhaps a fun time to check out the current odds for the ultimate goal. The best teams are always on top, but baseball and MLB are never as clear-cut as some other sports and leagues when it comes to the obvious favorite. One single moment can turn everything on its head and it takes a lot out of individual players as well as a great team effort to justify the label of the favorite.
As of right now, the New York Yankees have the best odds of winning the 2024 World Series and capturing the Commissioner’s Trophy with the odds at +290 and a 17.4% chance. Led by Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, there is little they cannot do. However, their biggest obstacle this year will be the LA Dodgers with +340 odds and the chance to take it all at 18.2%. Ohtani’s marvelous season resulted in his first postseason and he is hungry. Do not count out Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts however!
Closely following suit with the odds are the Phillies who stand at +380. The rest of the teams will have to count on some kind of miracle, sporting or otherwise if they want to win it all this year. These three teams are simply a class above everyone else as things currently stand. This is however not to say that they are without any chance. Far from it as it is baseball we are talking about after all. The San Diego Padres are the fourth with +550 odds of taking it, followed by the Cleveland Guardians at a nice round +1000.
The bottom three are made up of the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers and Mets have the same odds right now at a modest +1200, while the Royals have the smallest chance of winning it all in the eyes of the bookies and experts with only +1400. It would not be very wise to expect them to take it all, but that does not mean that they still cannot take you over the hump with their upcoming games and allow for some nice wins here and there. Remember, it is often more fun (if not financially sound) to bet on the underdog and see what happens!
Individual Awards Favorites and Odds
The outcomes of the big playoff games and waiting for the World Series are not the only things that the MLB betting seasons allow the fans. Oftentimes, it is much more fun to place bets that do not have anything to do with the final result. It is the individual awards like the MVP of the season or the Rookie of the Year that are always drawing in the fans and shaping up their online betting tickets. The same will take place this year as the bettors will attempt to use their extensive baseball knowledge, recall the most important moments and feats from the regular season, and attempt to pick the winners in a matter that counts: backed up with their money.
In the American League MVP odds, it is Aaron Judge of the Yankees who has the highest chance to win the prestigious individual award. Right now, he is miles ahead with his odds at -3030. He is followed by Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals with +1000 and then his fellow teammate Juan Soto with +10000. On the other side of the league in the National League MVP odds, it is out of the question who will take it. Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers basically has it locked with -1299 over Francisco Lindor of the Mets in second place with +700. The third is the Braves’ Marcell Ozuna and odds of only +10000.
But what about other rewards? Who will take home the Cy Young Award given to the best pitcher in each league? As things stand in the American League, this year belongs to Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers as his chances are strong with -5000. He is followed by Emmanuel Clase with +3000 and then two players with +6600 odds, Seth Lugo and Corbin Burnes. In the National League, Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves should take it with -2500 odds over Zack Wheeler with +1100. They are followed by Paul Skenes and Eduardo Rodriguez, both with chances way above +3000.
It is always fun and engaging to place bets on the Rookie of the Year award as it deals with new, young players who still have a lot to prove. Winning the ROY is the first great chance of their careers which is when the future of the league slowly takes shape. The AL Rookie of the Year odds currently favor Luis Gil as he stands at -175. He is followed by Colton Cowser at +180, Austin Wells at +1200, and Wilyer Abreay at +10000. In the NL standings, Paul Skenes leads the way with -300 followed by Jacksoin Merrill at +400. The third on the odds list is Jordan Lawlar at +1200.
Popular Baseball Bets Worth Making
So what are the fan-favorite bets in this sport and why do the bettors opt for them? In general, baseball is a very interesting sport through and through, which also reflects in the way the bets on the games are placed.
1. Money line Bets
The money line bet is the most straightforward type of wager. You simply pick which team will win the game outright without any point spread. Each team is assigned odds that reflect their likelihood of winning. If the Yankees are at -150, you need to wager $150 to win $100. If the Red Sox are at +130, a $100 bet would win you $130 if they triumph. Moneyline bets are great for newcomers because they do not involve complex calculations. Just pick a team and see if they can secure the win.
Run Line Bets
Run line bets add a layer of strategy to the game. It is similar to point-spread betting in other sports. Typically set at +1.5 or -1.5 runs, you bet on whether a favored team can win by two or more runs or if an underdog can either win outright or lose by a single run. If the Dodgers are -1.5 against the Giants, they need to win by at least two runs for your bet to cash. The bet can provide better odds on favorites and more value on underdogs, making it an exciting option for seasoned bettors.
Totals (Over/Under) Bets
Totals, or over/under bets, focus on the combined score of both teams. Sportsbooks will set a number, and you will wager on whether the total runs scored will be over or under that number. For example, if the total is set at 8.5 runs, and you bet the over, you are hoping for a high-scoring game. This type of bet is great for those who have a feel for the offensive and defensive strengths of the teams involved. It allows you to bet on the game’s overall pace rather than just the outcome.
Prop Bets
Proposition bets are fun, specific wagers that can cover almost any aspect of the game. You might bet on a player hitting a home run, the number of strikeouts a pitcher will have, or even the result of the first inning. Prop bets can add excitement to a game especially if you are following a specific player closely. They often offer great value especially when you have insider knowledge or insights into a player’s current form.
In-Game Betting
In-game or live betting has surged in popularity, allowing bettors to place wagers as the game unfolds. You can bet on various aspects, from the next team to score to the outcome of the current inning. This type of betting is thrilling and requires quick thinking, as odds change rapidly based on what is happening on the field. On platforms like Stake.com, you are also given the option to place in-play same-game multi bets!
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
An amazing and memorable MLB season is behind us, which only promises an even better playoff experience. Division Series matchups are set and the bettors are ready. The individual rewards have their favorites and the best way to bet on them would be to combine all 3 major awards on one ticket to maximize your potential winnings. It is not often that a season has so many near-obvious winners so why not take advantage of it? And who knows, maybe you will be lucky enough to predict the AL and NL winners or even the team that will take the World Series? Gambling is such a hobby that awards daring picks and committing to your choice. If you have a feeling, wager on it now when the iron is hot. Good luck and happy betting!
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
