The 2023 MLB playoffs are here, meaning it’s time to lock in your World Series prediction. Can the Houston Astros defend their crown? Will the Atlanta Braves go all the way? Or could a sleeper upset the odds?
Top Contenders for the 2023 MLB World Series
Let’s begin by looking at the leading contenders for the Commissioner’s Trophy. The top four favorites are priced between +300 and +600, with the Atlanta Braves coming in as the bookies’ frontrunner ahead of the playoffs.
Atlanta Braves (+300)
The Atlanta Braves posted the best regular-season record this year (104-58), registering a winning percentage of .642. As a result, the NL East champions head into the postseason as the bookies’ favorite to go all the way.
Thanks to superstars like Ronald Acuna Jr, Matt Olson and Spencer Strider, the Braves will be confident of clinching a second World Series title in three years, having triumphed back in 2021.
Los Angeles Dodgers (+450)
It’s fair to say that the Los Angeles Dodgers cruised through the NL West, picking up a century of victories along the way. After notching the third-best regular-season record (100-62), Freddie Freeman and co. will fancy their chances of lifting the Commissioner’s Trophy.
Houston Astros (+500)
The Houston Astros have featured in four of the previous six World Series showdowns, triumphing in 2017 and 2022. That said, the defending champions failed to dominate the AL West this year, finishing with the same record as the Texas Rangers (90-72).
Baltimore Orioles (+600)
Boasting the second-best regular-season record (101-61), the Baltimore Orioles enter the playoffs with a spring in their step. Can the 1983 World Series champions finally end their four-decade wait for another title? Well, winning the AL East is a good start.
2023 MLB World Series Sleepers to Consider
It’s now time to discuss a couple of potential sleepers for the World Series. Serving up odds of +1000 and +2000, the following teams could make a lot of baseball bettors very happy if they upset the odds.
Tampa Bay Rays (+1000)
Despite facing tough competition from Baltimore, the Tampa Bay Rays still managed to pick up 99 wins during the regular season. With top performers like Yandy Diaz and Zach Eflin leading the way, the Rays could run deep this year.
Milwaukee Brewers (+2000)
The Milwaukee Brewers enter the playoffs as the NL Central champions, having racked up 92 victories during the regular season. Milwaukee hasn’t featured in a World Series showpiece since 1982, but the current crop of players has the potential to change that.
2023 World Series Prediction
As the World Series odds suggest, the Braves, Dodgers, Astros and Orioles are the teams to beat this year. In truth, any of the favorites could secure the silverware, making it difficult to settle on a World Series prediction.
Having said that, it feels like the Braves have the upper hand at this stage. With many of Atlanta’s players hitting form at just the right time, the Braves look set to clinch a second World Series crown in three seasons.
Odds to Win the 2023 World Series
Atlanta Braves (+300)
Los Angeles Dodgers (+450)
Houston Astros (+500)
Baltimore Orioles (+600)
Tampa Bay Rays (+1000)
Philadelphia Phillies (+1200)
Texas Rangers (+1200)
Toronto Blue Jays (+1600)
Milwaukee Brewers (+2000)
Minnesota Twins (+2000)
Arizona Diamondbacks (+3300)
Miami Marlins (+3300)