MLB Opening Day is this week, on March 28th!
Since our last update, a few transactions have changed some of our thoughts about this year’s MLB season. We’ll update you on what transpired below.
Make sure to take a look at this year’s MLB World Series Odds below, sourced from one of the best offshore sportsbooks.
Key Facts
- Matt Chapman agreed to a three-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, which led to former Giants third baseman J.D. Davis being released by the club.
- Joey Votto signed a minor league contract with Toronto. We’ll see if he gets another chance in the MLB at 40 years old.
- San Francisco also signed Blake Snell for two years. The former Cy Young winner found a new home just in time for the regular season.
- J.D. Martinez agreed to a one-year deal with the Mets after turning down the Giants, admitting that the San Francisco ballpark didn’t fit his best characteristics.
2024 World Series Odds
Contenders
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Best Odds: +350 at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
The Dodgers already began the season in Korea, going 1-1 in those two games. The lineup is furious, but the pitching has its downsides.
Los Angeles hasn’t changed from +350 odds since three weeks ago. Everything is ultimately the same.
The Dodgers have one of the best lineups in baseball, between Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman at the top of the order.
They also have a lot of starting pitching depth on the shelf and are injured. Once a few of those guys get back, the Dodgers will be dangerous.
Atlanta Braves
- Best Odds: +587 at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
This is another team whose odds haven’t moved in a few weeks. Atlanta expects Ronald Acuna Jr. to start opening day despite missing lots of Spring Training with an injury. They also added Adam Duvall for the bench, which was a solid pickup before the season begins.
However, there are questions about starting pitching. Spencer Strider, Max Fried and Charlie Morton will be fine. But the questions are between Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez. Those two haven’t been consistent over the last couple of years.
Could the backend of the rotation hurt the Braves? It’s possible.
Dark Horses
Houston Astros
- Best Odds: +956 at Bookmaker
The Astros’ odds have increased from +1020 to +956 at Bookmaker. Houston didn’t make a ton of changes from last year to this year. The lineup looks the complete same and the starting pitching will have all players from last year’s squad.
However, Houston added Josh Hader to be the closer, setting up a terrific bullpen between Bryan Abreu, Ryan Pressly and Hader. If the starting rotation can get through six innings a night, the Astros will be in really good shape.
New York Yankees
- Best Odds: +1100 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
New York learned that Gerrit Cole could miss extended time this year, which is why they’re down to +1100 odds heading into the season.
The addition of Juan Soto was massive. But the Yankees also added Alex Verdugo for the outfield, Trent Grisham for the bench and Marcus Stroman for the starting rotation.
The Yankees have the pieces to succeed, but they need to stay healthy. Aaron Judge was already dealing with discomfort earlier in Spring Training, and now the starting rotation is relying on Luis Gil in the No. 5 spot.
Long Shots
Baltimore Orioles
- Best Odds: +1254 at Bookmaker
Over the last three weeks, the Orioles have jumped the Rangers in the World Series odds. Baltimore won’t give Jackson Holiday the Opening Day start, but after a few weeks or a month in the minors, Holiday could find his way into the lineup.
That said, the Orioles are still super young and talented in the starting lineup, with Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson leading the way.
Meanwhile, Baltimore also has Corbin Burnes as the No. 1 starter after trading the Brewers. The Orioles haven’t had a No. 1 starter like this in forever.
Texas Rangers
- Best Odds: +1259 at Bookmaker
If you’re thinking about betting on the Rangers, consider betting them later in the year. The Rangers have so many injuries, and it would be nice to see them stay at .500 for the first half.
Then by the second half, when Jacob deGrom, Tyler Mahle and Max Scherzer return, the Rangers can go on a nice little run in the second half and make the playoffs like last season.
Texas has announced Wyatt Langford made the team as a rookie. He’s going to bat in the middle of the lineup with some of the other great young hitters the team has.
The Rangers should be good for years, but let’s let the young guys settle in first. We want to see consistency in this group.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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