With the Major League Baseball regular season-ending soon, many are beginning to look at the postseason and trying to predict who will be one to win the World Series. With the American League boasting some of the most famous names in baseball, we take a look at the top 10 teams and assess their chances of winning the big one according to MLB World Series betting sites.
Chicago White Sox (+1000)
The White Sox ended an almost 50-year drought when they landed the World Series back in 2005, but they’ve not done much since. This year could be different, though. Rick Renteria’s team have a good record home and away in the regular season and have put it some excellent performances, so it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if they were to go on to take the World Series by storm. They’ll be many people’s idea of a realistic winner at a reasonable price.
Tampa Bay Rays (+700)
Kevin Cash’s team have been a revelation this regular season and look good value to clinch the East Division ahead of the New York Yankees.
Tampa Bay hasn’t been featured in a World Series final since 2008 when they lost comprehensively to the Philadelphia Phillies, and Rays fans will be eager to see that put right this postseason.
There’s a reason they’re near the head of the baseball betting market, and they have a fantastic chance to make history.
Oakland Athletics (+1400)
The A’s clinched the West Division in the regular season with plenty to spare, and it’s undoubtedly making people sit up and take notice of Bob Melvin’s team. Oakland has a long and proud history in the World Series but hasn’t been featured in the biggest game in baseball since 1990 when they were shutout by the Cincinnati Reds. It will be challenging, but they’re in with a shout of landing a 10th World Series title for their franchise.
Minnesota Twins (+1200)
The Twins secured a playoff place in a competitive division in the regular season. Manager Rocco Baldelli will hope that gives his players the confidence boost they’ll need to go and win the World Series. History is against them though, having only won three World Series titles in the past, the last of those coming in a 4-3 win over Atlanta Braves in 1991. They have an outsider’s chance, as does everyone in the playoffs, but there are better alternatives.
New York Yankees (+600)
The first part of the job is done for the Yankees, having secured a place in the playoffs, but there’s still plenty to do for Aaron Boone’s team.
The New York are Yankees are the most famous franchise in MLB and the league’s most successful franchise, with a massive 27 World Series wins to their name. The last of those was way back in 2009, so the Yankees will be keen to return to former glory in the postseason.
It seems as though they’ve been priced up based on their history rather than their form this year though, and as such as they’re probably not good value.
Houston Astros (+2500)
The Astros have experienced lots of recent success in the MLB, reaching two of the last three World Series finals, winning one. That historic win came in 2017, when beating the 2020 National League favorite, Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3, they, unfortunately, lost year’s final by the same scoreline to Washington Nationals. Given this recent success, it could be argued that they’re overpriced to win the World Series this year. However, that success came under the management of A.J. Hinch, and the Astros have since assigned Dusty Baker to replace him. The regular season results don’t exactly inspire, and they may get found out in the playoffs.
Cleveland Indians (+2500)
History certainly hasn’t been kind to the Cleveland Indians. Having won two World Series titles in 1920 and 1948, the franchise has been on a bit of a baron spell. They’ve since lost four World Series finals, the latest of those coming in 2016, and they’ll be keen to exorcise those demons sooner rather than later. They’ve been pretty good on the road in the regular season and that will inspire plenty of confidence in Terry Francona’s team. They could be ones to watch at a price.
Toronto Blue Jays (+4000)
Toronto is the sole Canadian representation in the MLB, and although they haven’t even featured in a World Series final since landing back to back titles in 1993, they carry the hopes of a nation on their shoulders.
Charlie Montoyo has managed to get a tune out of his players more often than not in the regular season, and the Blue Jays have a strong record on home soil.
Whether that will be exploited in the playoffs is yet to be seen, but it’s unlikely that they’ll be causing any major upsets in the postseason.
Seattle Mariners (+50000)
Pretty much out of the picture in terms of landing a playoff spot, the Mariners have struggled, particularly when on the road. Scott Servais’ team are the only franchise in the MLB who has not appeared in a World Series, and unfortunately for them, this is going to be the year that changes. It’s not time for them to re-group and look ahead to next season, with plenty of additions needed in the roster.
Baltimore Orioles (+50000)
Had a sniff of a chance of landing a place in the playoffs but that’s gone up in smoke now. It’s hard to pinpoint any one exact reason for them struggling this season, but not hitting enough home runs is certainly something that’s make you struggle. A swing and a miss from Brandon Hyde’s team this season, and they now need to start planning for the next campaign.
Daniel McCown
Daniel started writing for GamblingSites.org in 2020, and he loves all things sports. You’ll see articles from him on all the major sports leagues, as well as some you may have never heard of before. …
