The 2023 MLB season just is about to start, and as usual, we already have the casino favorites to win the World Series. Although it is still very early, it’s always interesting to see the market projections for world champion and why not, bet a couple of dollars, seeing it as a long-term investment.
Which MLB teams lead the bets?
Houston Astros +600
The Astros are the favorite team to win the World Series again. It seems that the departures of important players such as first baseman Yuli Gurriel and Justin Verlander will not affect them as much as initially thought, at least on the betting lines.
The lineup still has highly respected names, players like Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Peña, Alex Bregman, among others, who will lead these Astros in search of another championship, considering that José Abreu is also joining the team. It remains to be seen how much Verlander’s departure affects them, as with the likes of Luis García, José Urquidy, Framber Valdéz, Lance McCullers Jr, and Cristian Javier, their pitching staff looks very powerful.
Los Angeles Dodgers +700
We all remember the sweep San Diego laid on the Dodgers last season in the National League Championship, but we must not forget that we are talking about a team that won 111 games in the regular season.
Those 111 games are what the casinos value, and that is why the Dodgers are the second favorite to win the World Series this season. For their new adventure in 2023, they have not made any spectacular signings, except for J.D. Martinez, managing to keep most of last season’s roster, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Clayton Kershaw, who come back with a thirst for revenge.
On the downside is their having parted ways with two of their most productive players: Trea Turner, who along Justin Turner, will be missed in the California team’s lineup.
New York Yankees +850
Casinos can never look past the NY Yankees, a season start without the ‘Bronx Bombers’ among the favorites would look strange, and this 2023 is no exception.
The Yankees still have a magnificent team, led by great players like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and Gerrit Cole. Their pitching staff is one of the most powerful in MLB with the acquisition of Carlos Rodón.
The great challenge for them this season is to keep their starters healthy. If they stave off the injuries, they can have a banner year. Rodón, and Luis Severino, however, are injured at the start of the season, while Nestor Cortes Jr. has not been 100% physically during the preseason, and it seems that Franky Montas will be out all year.
Atlanta Braves +900
Atlanta’s aspirations are high, based on their excellent pitching staff, as people like Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Kyle Wright, and Charlie Morton will have the task of taking the Braves to important places this season. On offense, Ronald Acuña Jr. joined after his recovery period. Along with Austin Riley, Michael Harris II (Rookie of the Year), and Olson on a good afternoon, they can hit on any pitcher. An interesting bet for the ‘Fall Classic’.
New York Mets +900
Offensively these Mets look imposing. People like Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Starling Marte make the Mets the fifth favorite team for the casinos.
In pitching, they’ve lost important players, but have hit it big with Justin Verlander, who comes fresh from winning his third Cy Young. A weak point on this team, however, appears to be the relievers, since Edwin Díaz will be out due to injury the rest of the season, so the responsibility will fall on veteran David Robertson.
In addition to the odds on who will win the World Series, favorites to win 2023 MVP include:
+190 Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels)
+450 Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)
+500 Aaron Judge (NY Yankees)
+700 Julio Rodríguez (Seattle Mariners)
+1,100 Yordan Álvarez (Houston Astros)
+1,200 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
+1500 José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
+2,000 Rafael Devers (Boston Red Sox)