The Los Angeles Dodgers are essentially trying to turn the MLB into a single-player video game. After a wild off-season that saw them snag All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker on a massive deal, the betting markets have basically lost their minds. If you look at the current MLB odds to win the World Series, it’s a lopsided picture. Most sportsbooks, including FanDuel and DraftKings, have moved the Dodgers into "historic favorite" territory. We're talking +220 to +250 range. For context, it’s January. The season hasn’t even started, and the desert is already saying there’s a nearly 30% chance the trophy stays in Hollywood for a third straight year.
The Big Three (and Everyone Else)
Winning three in a row is supposed to be impossible. Only the Yankees and the 1970s Athletics have ever really pulled it off in the modern era. But then the Dodgers go and add Tucker to a lineup that already features Ohtani and Betts. It's kind of absurd.
The New York Yankees are sitting right behind them at +750. They’re the "best of the rest," but that gap is wider than it was a month ago. People are betting on the pinstripes because, well, they're the Yankees, and they always have the payroll to fix a problem at the trade deadline. Then you have the Philadelphia Phillies at +1000. Philly is the team nobody wants to see in October. They have that "we might actually be crazy" energy that plays well in short series.
But honestly? The board gets a lot more interesting once you move past the top three favorites.
✨ Don't miss: Is Nick Chubb Playing Tonight? The Texans Backfield Situation Explained
The Movers and Shakers
- Seattle Mariners (+1200 to +1300): This is the "smart money" play right now. Their pitching is terrifying. If you can get a lead against them, good luck keeping it against that rotation.
- Toronto Blue Jays (+1400): They just lost a heartbreaker in the 2025 World Series to the Dodgers. Usually, there's a "loser's hangover," but with Dylan Cease now in the rotation, the odds reflect a team that’s ready to go right back to the dance.
- Chicago Cubs (+1500 to +1900): This is the biggest jump of the winter. Jed Hoyer went aggressive, landing Alex Bregman and Cabrera in a series of moves that shocked the NL Central. They opened around +2500, so if you didn't buy then, you missed the best price.
Why MLB Odds to Win the World Series are Moving So Fast
It's the "Hot Stove" effect. A single signing like Pete Alonso going to the Baltimore Orioles (+2200) changes the entire math for the AL East. The Orioles now have a projected 100-RBI guy in the middle of a lineup full of kids who are only getting better.
Betting odds aren't just about who has the best players, though. They’re about where the money is going. When a team like the Boston Red Sox (+1600) trades for Sonny Gray and starts looking like a legitimate contender again, fans in Massachusetts start flooding the books. The oddsmakers have to drop the price to protect themselves. That's why you see Boston's odds shortening despite them finishing last year with a bunch of injuries. They’re a popular "public" team.
The Longshots Worth a Look
If you’re looking for a lottery ticket, the Detroit Tigers at +2800 or the Kansas City Royals at +3500 are where the value hides. The American League Central is often a mess. If one of these teams catches fire in August and wins the division, you’re sitting on a +3500 ticket for a team that only needs to win three series to make you look like a genius.
On the flip side, avoid the "trap" teams. The New York Mets are +1100 to +1600 depending on where you look. They spend a lot. They talk a lot. But until they show they can actually navigate a full season without the wheels falling off, that price feels way too short. You're better off taking the Atlanta Braves at +1500. Even with the injury concerns, a healthy Braves roster is the only thing in the National League that actually scares the Dodgers.
The Strategy for Betting Futures in January
Don't go all-in now. That’s the first rule.
👉 See also: Why Every Real Fan Needs a Green Bay Packers Wooly Hat Before Winter Hits Lambeau
The MLB odds to win the World Series will fluctuate wildly during spring training. One "pop" in a pitcher’s elbow in March can send a team from +1000 to +3000 in an afternoon. If you like a favorite, wait. If you like an underdog that might make a big signing, buy now.
Actionable Insights for Your 2026 Strategy:
- Shop Around: FanDuel might have the Mariners at +1300 while DraftKings has them at +1100. Over a $100 bet, that’s a $200 difference in profit. Use it.
- Watch the AL West: The Mariners and Rangers are in an arms race. If the Rangers (+3000) add one more starter, their value will vanish.
- The "Third Straight" Fade: History says the Dodgers won't win three in a row. The odds are "inflated" because of the Kyle Tucker news. Statistically, there is more value in betting the "Field" (anyone but the Dodgers) than taking LA at +220.
Track the injury reports throughout February. The real movement happens when the first pitchers start throwing live sessions in Florida and Arizona. Keep an eye on the Chicago Cubs; if they add one more bullpen arm, they might actually be the best value bet in the National League before Opening Day on March 25.