Taking stock of WS odds with latest Rankings

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Two things we love to do on a Monday: rank all 30 MLB teams and talk about their World Series odds. It’s the Monday tradition you never knew you needed but now crave. The Power Rankings have been released and now we're going to chop it up with the current odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s get into it.

New York Yankees
Power Ranking: 1st (last week: 1st)
World Series Odds: +550

The top of the Power Rankings hasn’t changed, but the odds for the Yankees to win the World Series have. It wasn’t a big drop, but the Yankees were +600 to win it all and now are currently at +550. Sure, you didn’t miss the boat just yet, but if the Yankees keep playing the way they are, you WILL be left at the dock. They ended the week on a sour note, dropping both games of the doubleheader against the White Sox, but this team is still on pace to win 115 games, which is an insane number. They’ll look to keep that pace up when they begin a three-game series against the Orioles, followed by a three-game set against the Rays. Barring a completely uncharacteristic week by the Yankees, this number is slipping fast, so get your World Series plays in while you can.

New York Mets
Power Ranking: 4th (last week 3rd)
World Series Odds: +800

This is the first time in the Power Rankings that I think we need to pump the brakes on them a bit. Despite losing another major piece of their team in Max Scherzer, their World Series odds have yet to budge. Coming up this week are three games against the Giants followed by three against the Phillies. With the Mets without Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, is it fair to say this team could take a bit of a step back soon? I think it’s extremely possible. Looking at this Mets rotation, Scherzer was leading the team in almost every single category including innings pitched (49 2/3), K/9 (10.6), ERA (2.54), and xERA (2.80). Losing him for up to two months would put him on track to return after the All-Star break and near the Trade Deadline (which is slated for Aug. 2).

At this rate, I think it’s worth waiting this out a bit to take the Mets if you haven’t already. I think without Scherzer, this team could regress a bit, and eventually, you’ll get at least 10-1 odds for them to win the World Series. This offense is still going to roll, but we could see a close in their gap in run differential, which stands at +42 entering Monday. In all, this team isn’t as strong without Scherzer, which in a strange way, could work to our benefit. Hold off on the Mets until you can get a more attractive number.

San Diego Padres
Power Ranking: 6th (last week 8th)
World Series Odds: +1500

Are the Padres being disrespected with these World Series odds? As it stands, the Padres are a half-game out of first place in the National League West and yet, own the seventh-best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. In fact, they share the same odds as the Braves, who are currently 19-22 with a minus-11 run differential. Quite a difference in how these two teams are performing, wouldn’t you say?

What’s scary to think about is that this Padres team is GOING to get better. Fernando Tatis Jr. is working at the Padres' Spring Training facility and is hoping to be cleared to swing a bat soon. Even without arguably their top hitter, the Padres are ninth in runs scored with 185. Imagine what this team, which is 27-14, can do with him in the lineup? 15-1 odds honestly feel like a gift at this point, especially when you consider it’s the same as a team that is currently under .500. As it stands, this is my favorite value on the board and it’s not even close.

Toronto Blue Jays
Power Ranking: 11th (last week 11th)
World Series Odds: +1000

It’s extremely hard to feel good about this Blue Jays team right now. They didn’t move in our Power Rankings and still are 10-1 odds to win it all. Currently, those odds are better than teams like the Padres, Angels (22-1) and Giants (22-1), all of whom I’d say are playing much, much better. It’s been so bad for this Toronto offense that during the month of May, they’ve been one of the lowest-scoring teams not just in the American League but all of baseball. Would you be shocked to know that as of Sunday, the only teams the Blue Jays (58 runs) have outscored this month are the Pirates and Tigers? Teams like the Nationals, Orioles, D-backs and Reds have all outscored the Blue Jays. The time will come when these odds adjust properly, and I could be back on board. At 10-1, which is the same as the Brewers, I simply cannot take those odds seriously.

St. Louis Cardinals
Power Ranking: 12th (last week 12th)
World Series Odds: +3500

The future of the Cardinals arrived this week with both Nolan Gorman and Matthew Liberatore making their Major League debuts. Gorman, who was annihilating Triple-A pitching, was slashing .308/.367/.677 with 15 home runs, 23 RBIs and 31 runs scored through 34 games. Liberatore made seven starts in Triple-A, boasting a 3.83 ERA, a 10.4 K/9, a 2.7 BB/9 and a 1.1 HR/9. The Cardinals believed both were ready and with some injuries on the club, it was time. They’ve both quickly made impacts on this team and look as if they’ll be here to stay, especially Gorman. He’s going to produce some high strikeout numbers but that’ll be worked on in due time. He brings some much-needed pop to a team that ranks 19th in ISO and 17th in home runs.

Do I think that the Cardinals have what it takes to win it all? Maybe not yet. However, I do think they have an extremely strong chance to make the playoffs. Grabbing them at 35-1 odds is the real key here, as, like the Padres, the odds feel too long to ignore.

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