MLB World Series Odds: Dodgers Heavy Favorites Heading Into 2024 Season
It's 2024, which means Spring Training is right around the corner for the MLB season.
The offseason still has plenty left to unfold with the likes of Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger still looking for their next team, but enough has changed to gauge what the league should look like in the upcoming campaign.
Despite signings and trades still to be made, the World Series odds are taking shape with one team already running away from the rest of the pack with months to go before the season even begins.
Let's dive into the 2024 World Series odds, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
2024 World Series Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers (+380)
Well, can it really be anyone but the Los Angeles Dodgers at the top of the odds to win the World Series?
After signing Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract to send shockwaves around the majors, they doubled down soon after. The Dodgers agreed to a 12-year, $325 million deal with Yoshinobu Yamamoto to become their new ace without ever stepping foot onto an MLB mound. The expectation for Yamamoto is to be as good as advertised with a knockout fastball and untouchable splitter.
Oh, and if those two signings weren't enough, they went and traded for Tyler Glasnow to shore up their rotation. It's been a banner offseason for the Dodgers that has left them as the heavy favorites for the World Series.
They add these two to a team already consisting of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and others. The Dodgers aren't just loaded up for 2024 but beyond. Ohtani won't likely be able to pitch in 2024, but even without him in the rotation, they have everything they need to succeed. We've reached a point already with Los Angeles where it may very well be title or bust in the new year.
The +380 odds signal exactly that.
Atlanta Braves (+650)
There's no reason to count out the Atlanta Braves -- even after their underwhelming playoff run coming off a record-setting regular season offensively.
A lineup led by Ronald Acuna and Matt Olson isn't going to lose the firepower for long like it did in the playoffs. With many of their key contributors returning thanks to the magic of the Braves' front office in re-signing their young talent, they are the team that should rightfully be right behind Los Angeles heading into the 2024 season.
The Braves just made their second big trade of the offseason, however, which could work out to be one that matches the Dodgers if all goes right. Atlanta traded prospect Vaughn Grissom to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for former ace Chris Sale.
Now, Sale isn't coming into this team as the same pitcher he was back in 2018 when the Red Sox won the World Series. However, the veteran is coming to this team is a leader and someone who can give important innings if health can finally be on it's side -- something that has rarely been true since 2019. Sale had a 4.30 ERA and 125 strikeouts over 20 starts in 2023, making him a fine addition to the middle of their rotation.
There's still so much to like about the Braves, and now that they're not the locked in as the top team for 2024, that could help them get the World Series title they've been chasing.
New York Yankees (+850)
After a loud start to the offseason, things have quieted for the New York Yankees, but they certainly still have the potential to make noise in the new season.
Led by Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, the Yankees should have the most talented lineup in the American League game-in and game-out after adding Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo to shore up their outfield.
The potential of Soto and Judge as a 1-2 punch with the potential throughout the rest of the lineup is why the Yankees should have the best odds of any AL team -- but we've been here before. A lot will need to go right for the Yankees, including Carlos Rodon returning to the form that he was in prior to signing with New York last offseason.
Based on rumors regarding the Yankees, they're seemingly not done this offseason as bolstering their pitching should be part of their goal from here on out. The likes of Corbin Burnes is still available per a trade, and as noted earlier, reigning NL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell is still available, as well.
If they want to enter the conversation that the Dodgers and Braves are in, some more moves will have to be made on their end, but +850 odds seem reasonable for the Bronx Bombers.
Houston Astros (+900)
With Dusty Baker retiring, can the Houston Astros keep up their unmatchable success of the last decade?
Joe Espada will take over in the dugout for the Astros to replace Baker, who has undeniable success for Houston after coming in for A.J. Hinch when he was suspended back in 2020. Espada will be head coach for the first time in his career, making things a bit ambiguous. The good news, of course, is that he's been in the Astros organization and still has leaders like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman to bring the needed leadership to the team in 2024.
Still though, the mystery is enough to leave me questioning on how much belief we should have in a team that hasn't made any moves to get better. Eventually, the constant runs to the ALCS are going to end, and we won't be as sure as we are now. Until that happens, however, the Astros should have odds like these with their winning trait they've shown time and time again.
If they continue to lean on other players to step up and don't bring anyone new in, their current odds could be far too high for where their current talent is. It helps that the AL is looking to be a bit weaker than the NL, giving them a better shot to get to the dance -- and perhaps ultimately win it.
Philadelphia Phillies (+1000)
The Philadelphia Phillies accomplished a lot by simply re-signing Aaron Nola -- someone that many expected to leave this offseason.
That leaves them with keeping the majority of their roster that made a run to the NLCS in 2023 before being eliminated by the surprise Arizona Diamondbacks. With the winning culture that is being created in Philadelphia, their placement as fifth in the odds after their runs the last two years seems fitting.
Based on how much movement they've had in the previous offseasons, it's fair to think they should make noise next year with or without making any major moves, but they shouldn't go quiet if anyone is to be believed. MLB Network's Jon Heyman noted that the Phillies could be in the conversation for Blake Snell, meaning that they're likely searching through a number of names throughout the pitching market.
If they were able to add Snell to a rotation already consisting of Nola and Zack Wheeler, it could be a game-changer.
Until we know for sure what the Phillies' roster will be come spring training, they're a team worth waiting on but could offer considerable value -- even with the Braves and Dodgers ahead of them in the NL.
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