Breaking down World Series odds with latest Rankings

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With only a couple of weeks remaining in the regular season, we check in with our Power Rankings. As always, we compare how these teams rank and then compare them to their odds to win the World Series on DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s take a peek!

Los Angeles Dodgers
Power Ranking: 1st (last week: 1st)
World Series odds: +360

It’s going to be hard to dethrone the Dodgers from the top spot on the Power Rankings for the remainder of the season. They’re the fastest team to 100 wins since 2001 and have shown no signs of slowing down. The Dodgers have 17 games remaining and don’t have a very difficult schedule to endure. Of their remaining games, 11 of them are against teams under .500, which include six against the Rockies and five against the D-backs. The Dodgers have feasted on the National League West, going 45-16 entering Sunday. This is also one of the biggest reasons why the Dodgers have already locked up a playoff spot and the division.

As it currently stands, the Dodgers have the best overall odds to win it all at +360. Next in line would be the Astros at +425, whom we’ll talk about in a moment. I have no qualms about taking the Dodgers at this number, because soon we could see this shift as we get closer to the playoffs. The Dodgers will face the winner of the 4 and 5 seed Wild Card Series, which currently stands as the Braves and Padres. If the Dodgers were to face the Padres, they would face a team they’ve gone 12-4 against this season. That is, of course, if the Padres could somehow dethrone the Braves, which would be no small task. Either way, the Dodgers have to be viewed as the favorites, as the odds show.

Houston Astros
Power Ranking: 2nd (last week: 2nd)
World Series odds: +425

The American League favorite remains the Astros, as they continue to pile up wins in the West division. After beating the Athletics for the 12th time this season, the Astros are now four wins away from reaching the 100-win plateau. The rotation got a huge boost as well, as Justin Verlander returned from a short absence due to a calf injury. It’s as if he never left the field, as the 39-year-old was in postseason form. He tossed five no-hit innings with nine strikeouts in what would be a 5-0 win for the ‘Stros. Getting Verlander back and healthy is a huge advantage for this rotation once they enter the postseason. A combination of Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., Framber Valdez and José Urquidy is going to be tough for team to match up against. The Astros' rotation has the lowest ERA in the American League at 3.04 to go with a 3.49 FIP and a 16.5 WAR. If any team in the American League can potentially take down the Dodgers, this Astros team is primed to do so.

Atlanta Braves
Power Ranking: 4th (last week 3rd)
World Series odds: +800

The Braves remain one of my favorite long shots to win the World Series. At the current price of 8-1, they’re a much better team than these odds show. This lineup is so scary from top to bottom and they’ve been getting production from nearly every spot. I mean, when you have the potential Rookie of the Year candidate hitting seventh, you know things are going well.

During the second half of the season, the Braves have slashed .261/.326/.422 with 71 home runs, 258 RBIs, 270 runs scored and 27 stolen bases. They’re in the top five in almost every offensive category as well as own one of the best rotations and bullpens. Their bullpen has been one of only two during the second half that’s averaging over 10 strikeouts per nine innings, trailing the Astros. If this team gets hot, they’ll be nearly impossible to beat, even with some of the heavy hitters they’ll have to face. If you’re looking for a team at longer odds, the guys in Atlanta fit the bill.

Seattle Mariners
Power Ranking: 9th (last week 7th)
World Series odds: +2500

The Mariners haven’t locked up a playoff spot just yet, but they’re on the brink. FanGraphs has their current odds to make the playoffs at 98.9%, so yeah, I’d say they’re good. What’s fascinating about the American League Wild Card is that the Rays, Blue Jays and Mariners continuously are flip-flopping their seeding. As of Sunday night, the Blue Jays own the top spot, followed by the Rays and then the Mariners. The Mariners didn’t do themselves any favors by losing all three games this weekend, so ending up in the last Wild Card spot could be the best-case scenario for them.

Should the Mariners end with the final Wild Card spot, they would draw an easier matchup against the Guardians. Don’t get me wrong, this Guardians team has defied all expectations and is looking as if they’re going to win the American League Central. However, if I’m choosing between the Guardians, Blue Jays or Rays as my first opponent, the Guardians would be the preferred opponent. The winner of that series would face the Yankees, barring they hold on to the American League East. The Guardians rank 19th in runs scored and 21st in wOBA during the second half. The pitching has been great but the inconsistency at the plate has been their weakness. A strong pitching club like the Mariners could take advantage of that. At 25-1 odds, it might be wise for the Mariners to try and grab that last seed, as the path to a chance at the World Series could be forged this way.

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