Updated odds for the 2024 MLB World Series: Dodgers and Yankees as favorites, Orioles among the highest value bets

Summer is here, which means Major League Baseball’s heavyweights – like thermometers – are starting to heat up. And while many of the best bets to win the outright are no surprise, some red-hot insider picks have emerged from the crowd that suggest the 2024 World Series could be a wide-open race.

When we look at Sporting News’ best bets and top values ​​for the preseason, the usual suspects are the Dodgers, Braves and Astros. We even had the Yankees and Phillies — +1000 and +1500, respectively — as solid value bets for the World Series (those teams are now at +450 and +600, second and third behind LA).

But other teams have outdone themselves and presented themselves as real contenders. The Mariners and Guardians, who were all-wins at +2000 and +7000 respectively in the spring, have the third-best record in the American League. The Brewers and Royals, who were +9000 and +13000 respectively in March, are now in the top 12 in World Series odds at +2800 and +3500 respectively.

Let’s turn to BetMGM and check out the sportsbook’s full list of updated odds for the 2024 World Series. Then, we’ll reveal the best bets and most lucrative wagers to win it all in October, according to Sporting News.

Odds for the 2024 World Series

Odds courtesy of BetMGM

Odds for the 2024 World Series: Best Bets

Los Angeles Dodgers (+300)

Nothing has changed since spring training – the Dodgers remain the best bet in the major leagues. In fact, one could argue that they are in even better shape than originally expected, aside from the broken wrist Mookie Betts suffered on June 16. If Betts can return by the playoffs as expected, Los Angeles should definitely be in contention for the MLB’s top prize.

Today, the Dodgers still have two of the top five offensive players in the sport in Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Will Smith and Teoscar Hernandez remain two of the most underrated power hitters in the major leagues. And young players like starting pitcher Gavin Stone, outfielder Andy Pages and infielder Miguel Rojas have far exceeded expectations.

Best of all, this dynamic offense also has a stellar pitching staff. Los Angeles ranks in the top four overall in ERA and WHIP and has barely felt the absence of injured superstar Clayton Kershaw or the struggles of Walker Buehler. Stone, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and James Paxton should provide a dominant four-man rotation in October, and a strong bullpen led by Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia should help secure the majority of late postseason leads.

In short, the Dodgers have it all – and once they have a healthier roster in September and October, they should be in a very good position to compete for the franchise’s eighth World Series title.

New York Yankees (+450)

The Yankees dominated on offense and on the mound, consistently keeping up with the Dodgers in points and OPS, and also led the Major Leagues in staff ERA.

After an injury-plagued 2023, Aaron Judge is back in MVP form – and Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton have been pretty damn good, too. Anthony Volpe’s contact rate and speed have been a huge help in the leadoff, and Alex Verdugo’s emergence has been crucial, too.

The nicest surprise for the Pinstripers, however, was the pitching, with Luis Gil, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman as dominant as any MLB quartet and Luke Weaver/Clay Holmes serving as a crushing one-two punch in the closing stages of games. No one will want to face the Bronx Bombers in October.

Odds for the 2024 World Series: The best bets

Baltimore Orioles (+800)

The Orioles had high expectations after a 101-win 2023 season, and the fact that they were in second place for most of the 2024 season might suggest to the casual fan that this was a disappointing encore performance. However, their 47-25 record actually equates to a .653 winning percentage, which is far better than their .623 winning percentage at the end of last season.

What doesn’t Baltimore have? We’re talking about a lineup with speed and power, a fantastic defense, and one of the best pitching staffs in terms of ERA and WHIP in Major League Baseball. Catcher Adley Rutschman, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, and ace Grayson Rodriguez are three of the best young players in the game.

And good luck catching Baltimore once it takes an early lead — the one-two punch of Yennier Cano and Craig Kimbrel has eased the pain of losing All-Star closer Felix Bautista to Tommy John surgery earlier this year. Thank the Yankees for being able to bet on the Orioles at +800 — in any other year, this team would be +450 or less.

Seattle Mariners (+900)

Seattle has a top-notch pitching rotation and a dominant record at home, both factors that really come in handy in a run to the World Series. Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo have been excellent for the Mariners, and it never hurts that T-Mobile Park is one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the major leagues.

The Mariners also have decent speed and a little power, so it’s very possible that this team will remain a serious contender all season long. If Seattle can find a way to get another power hitter to complement Luke Raley, Cal Raleigh, and Julio Rodriguez, the other MLB heavyweights will have to seriously rethink their game plans against this powerful half-sleeper candidate.

Odds for the 2024 World Series: Biggest drop

Atlanta Braves (+900)

It was one of the most disappointing stretches in years for Atlanta, who just can’t seem to get anything together. The loss of reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña was also a blow, as you would expect when a team loses a player coming off a 40-70 season.

The Braves’ problems go well beyond Acuña’s absence, though. Matt Olson is striking out and pulling the ball more often, hitting the ball out of the park only half as often as he did in 2023. Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia have also had brutal losing streaks at the plate. And Atlanta’s bullpen has been far less reliable than usual all season. Don’t consider +900 a value—it’s not. Most other teams without the Braves’ name and perennial contender status would be listed at +1500 or more to win it all.