2024 MLB World Series Odds and Predictions

Heading into the “dog days of Summer,” Major League Baseball is in full swing, with nearly half of the regular season completed. As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue as the odds-on favorite to win the 2024 World Series. Nipping at their heels are the New York Yankees, who have been very impressive so far.

Since the World Series opening odds were released, we have seen a few surprises as teams like the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers rose from the abyss of longshots to become MLB Playoff contenders. Can they continue their ascension to challenge the betting favorites? Will we see anyone knock the Dodgers from their perch?

Let’s take a look at the latest World Series odds and make our 2024 MLB World Series predictions.

2024 World Series Odds

Check out the Scores and Stats complete list of World Series odds.

MLB Teams	Opening Odds	June Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers	+320	+300
New York Yankees	+900	+450
Philadelphia Phillies	+1400	+600
Baltimore Orioles	+1400	+900
Atlanta Braves	+450	+950
Cleveland Guardians	+6000	+1600
Seattle Mariners	+2000	+1600
Houston Astros	+700	+2200
Milwaukee Brewers	+9000	+2500
Kansas City Royals	+15000	+2500

From the odds above, we see massive line action as the Guardians, Brewers and Royals have all jumped up from longshot status at the start of the season. The Yankees cut their opening World Series odds in half, while the Dodgers continue to be everyone’s World Series betting favorites.

World Series Favorites

The following MLB teams are considered the odds-on favorites to win the 2024 World Series:

Los Angeles Dodgers +300

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2024 MLB season as the betting favorites due to their historic offseason where they spent a billion dollars. Despite winning at least 100 games per year, over the last three seasons, LA’s brass was determined to get back to the World Series for the first time since they won it all in 2020. After three World Series appearances in four years (2017-2020), the Dodgers have fallen short of making it back to the Championship since then.

Although the Dodgers’ record sits below other Divisional Leaders, this team has the batting and pitching to smash through the National League in the Playoffs. Los Angeles just took two of three games at the Yankees and reminded the naysayers why they’re still the best team despite their overall record (42-27).

The top half of the Dodgers’ lineup has delivered as expected. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith are pacing this team to an NL Division title. Unfortunately, the bottom half has fallen well below expectations as Lux, Outman, and Hernandez have struggled mightily.

A lack of lineup depth has created concern with the Dodgers and could be their Achilles heel the rest of the season. But, this team should continue as the betting frontrunners for the rest of the season.

New York Yankees +450

It’s always World Series or bust with the New York Yankees. And last year could be defined as a major bust after missing the postseason for the first time since 2016. The front office was determined to turn things around and get back to the World Series for the first time since 2009. And, so far, I’m impressed with how the Yankees have performed this year.

The Yanks have been a pleasant surprise as they were predicted to finish behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East but still snag a Wild Card. Instead, the Yankees have a three-game lead over the Orioles as of this writing. In fact, New York has the best record in baseball and has accomplished this on the arms of their pitching rotation.

Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil have led the charge for the Yankees. In fact, Gil is just a rookie and has become the team’s ace until the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Gerrit Cole, returns from injury.  If Cole regains his form from last year, the Yankees will be a serious threat to win the World Series.

Philadelphia Phillies +600

The Philadelphia Phillies are running away with the NL East Division as they have a 10-game lead over the Atlanta Braves as of this writing. Coming into the season, Philly was tabbed as a Wild Card team with the Braves the supposed divisional winner. That script has been flipped as the Phillies are not only the best of the division, but they could be a real contender to the Dodgers in the National League.

The Phillies have won 19 Playoff games over the last two years but have still fallen short of winning the World Series. Although they made the Championship series in 2022, they were defeated 4-2 by the Astros.

Once again, the Phils pitching is led by Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler who continue to get the job done when on the mound. Offensively, Bryce Harper is the big bat that delivers when they need him most. Unfortunately, star catcher J.T. Realmuto suffered a knee injury and will miss some time, which could derail the historic pace that the team is on.

With that said, watch for the Phillies to be one of the biggest buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline as they make a push to knock off the favored Dodgers and get back to the World Series.

Baltimore Orioles +900

The Baltimore Orioles were a trendy pick to win the AL East due to a roster loaded with young stars, arguably the best farm system in all of baseball, and with top prospect Jackson Holliday poised for a big year.

Currently, the Orioles are a few games back of the Yankees in the AL East. However, they’ve shown that this club is going to be a threat come time for the postseason. Led by an explosive offense, the Orioles are near the top of the league in runs scored. Both Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman should be All-Stars this year. In fact, the latter is having a career year so far.

But let’s not overlook their talented pitching staff because of the fireworks on offense. Corbin Burnes is in the Top 5 of the American League for ERA (2.32) and quality starts (nine). Closer Craig Kimbrel is near the top of the AL in saves (14) and hasn’t given up an earned run in more than a month.

Watch out for the Orioles in the second half of the season as they continue to develop into a true World Series contender.

Best World Series Betting Value

The Houston Astros (+2200) is my choice for the best betting value on the board as of this writing. This team was tabbed as the overwhelming favorite to win the AL West for the seventh time in the last eight years.

Unfortunately, they came out of the gates with an abysmal first month to the season. Houston went 10-20 over their first 30 games and were looking up at the rest of the division as they sat in the basement of the AL West. Since then, the Astros have gone 21-18 and are slowly digging their way out of the hole.

And, despite that rough start, Houston only sits 8.5 games back of the Seatle Mariners with half a season to go. More importantly, they’re just 5.5 games back for the final Wild Card spot.

Everything that could go wrong has already gone wrong for the Astros this season. Jose Abreu and Alex Bregman have both struggled at the start of the season. But the pitching is arguably the biggest failure for Houston at this point of the season.

After the first month, the Astros were arguably the worst pitching rotation in the American League. However, they are starting to show some signs of reversal as we get into the summer.

Houston is an experienced team with World Series crowns in 2017 and 2022. I don’t see this club missing the Playoffs this year. More than likely, they will be a Wild Card team due to the hole they find themselves in.

The Astros were +700 odds to win the World Series at the start of the season. Because of their struggles, they’re currently +2200. I like these odds and feel that Houston will wake up and return to their high level of play as the summer rolls on. When it comes to betting on the World Series, one of my top MLB betting tips is to find value on the boards. For me, that’s Houston.

Top World Series Longshot

The Cincinnati Reds at +10000 are my longshot pick to win the World Series. The NL Central was considered to be the most wide-open division at the start of the year, with the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cincinnati Reds all capable of winning the division.

Unfortunately, Cincy lost two-thirds of their games in the opening stretch of the season and fell to the bottom of the division. But the team didn’t panic. In fact, as of this writing, they had won 12-of-16 games and swept the Dodgers. They also put together a seven-game winning streak.

The Cincy bats have woken up as well, with both Will Benson and Jeimer Candelario coming alive over the last month. TJ Friedl also returned from injury and has proven his worth as the team’s top leadoff hitter.

Currently, the Reds are just seven games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the division. However, they’re just a half-game back of the final Wild Card spot. At +10000 odds and a real chance of snagging one of the Wild Card spots, the Reds are definitely worthy of a small flier to win the World Series.

Who Will Win The 2024 MLB World Series?

There are certainly teams like the Phillies that can earn an appearance in the 2024 World Series. However, I think we’re on a collision course with the Yankees vs. Dodgers for the 12^th time in MLB history and the first since 1981. Certainly, Major League Baseball would love to have its two biggest markets in the World Series.

When you look at what both teams are doing, it’s clear that they’re set up for long-term success this year. Keep in mind that each team leads their respective division and is doing so without their ace pitchers. Both Cole (Yankees) and Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) have missed the entire season to date. Yet, both should be back after the All-Star break.

Both teams also have offensive duos that can power a team to victory. Judge and Soto for the Yankees do have the edge, though, over Betts and Ohtani for the Dodgers.

Ultimately, if both teams remain healthy, they should face each other in the World Series. As for the winner, I am leaning towards the New York Yankees.

With Cole out, this New York pitching staff has stepped up. Yes, the Dodgers will have three guns to lead the rotation, but the Yankees have more depth to their pitching. Adding one of the best pitchers in baseball back to the rotation only makes this club deeper on the mound and more dangerous in the Playoffs.

When it comes to the World Series odds, the Yankees still have great value at +450 despite having the best record in baseball and leading the majors in runs scored. These odds will shrink as the season progresses. If you believe in New York winning the 2024 World Series, then jump on them now before the value drops.

Previous World Series Champions

The following is a list of the last 10 World Series Champions:

Year	Team
2023	Texas Rangers
2022	Houston Astros
2021	Atlanta Braves
2020	Los Angeles Dodgers
2019	Washington Nationals
2018	Boston Red Sox
2017	Houston Astros
2016	Chicago Cubs
2015	Kansas City Royals
2014	San Francisco Giants