2023 World Series Odds and Predictions

With the MLB Playoffs quickly approaching, it’s a good time to reevaluate the 2023 World Series odds to fine-tune your MLB betting strategy for the postseason. There is a plethora of value still available on the board at the best World Series betting sites.

Several aspects of the MLB season went according to plan. However, there were some unforeseen surprises that played out on the diamond this season. The New York Yankees, Mets, and San Diego Padres had high expectations, but came well short of their goals.

To the contrary, the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles surpassed their pre-season forecast considerably. Will they be able to maintain their good fortunes in the postseason?

Let’s look deep into the updated 2023 MLB World Series odds and our predictions for the Fall Classic.

2023 MLB World Series Odds

The following 2023 World Series odds are courtesy of Bovada:

2023 World Series Betting Favorites

There have been several changes in the World Series betting odds since the start of the season at MLB betting sites. On March 28, the Yankees had the same odds to win the World Series as the Braves at +750.

Today, the Atlanta Braves are the +220 favorite to win the World Series, while the Yankees are out of the equation at +100000. The pre-season favorite Houston Astros have dropped from being favored to the fourth-best World Series odds, but are still in the hunt.

Atlanta Braves (+220)

The Braves are cruising to their sixth straight NL East title. Last year, they won a tiebreaker over the Mets to win the division. However, in 2023, the Braves have pulled away from the competition and haven’t looked back.

Currently, the Braves have a 14-game lead on the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. The Braves were the first club to clinch their division and win 95 games in MLB.

NL MVP favorite Ronald Acuna is only one part of the formula for the Braves. Four players on this roster have recorded at least 35 home runs. Matt Olson is hitting .276 with a .386 OBP and 53 home runs¹.

Ronald Acuna Jr. (this season) and Ty Cobb (in 1911) are the only players in MLB history to have 75+ extra-base hits and 60+ stolen bases in the same season.

Both Acuna Jr. and Cobb were born on December 18, 111 years apart (1886 and 1997). pic.twitter.com/ehOiuk4W6n

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 21, 2023

Regardless, the star of the show in Atlanta is Acuna. The 25-year-old right fielder is dangerous in all facets of the game. When Acuna gets on base, which he does a lot of with a .414 OBP, he’s always a threat to score a run. Acuna leads the majors with 68 stolen bases and 140 runs scored².

In 2023, the Braves’ offense tops the majors with 5.82 runs scored per game. They lead the Dodgers, who are second with an average of 5.64 runs on the board per contest³.

Overall, the pitching staff hasn’t been where they’d like to be, though. The Braves have an ERA of 4.07 as a team, with a 3.78 ERA from the bullpen. Neither puts the Braves in the Top 10, and they’ve regressed in September.

In September, the Braves are 28th, with a 5.73 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. They’ve conceded 38 home runs, the worst number in baseball⁴. The Braves have been a force in the National League, but they do not come without their faults.

Los Angeles Dodgers (+375)

As we approach October, the Dodgers are in the immediate foreground for a World Series title. The 2020 world champs entered this season with the fourth-best odds to win at +800. Their main NL West foe, San Diego, followed closely behind at +850 odds.

The Dodgers’ World Series odds have risen to +375, while the Padres are a longshot to make the postseason. Like the Braves, they’ve established a comfortable lead in their division.

At the moment, the Braves and Dodgers are the only clubs in the National League with 90+ wins. In 2023, the Dodgers easily captured the 2023 NL West title without much resistance.

While the Dodgers don’t have the NL MVP favorite, they do have Mookie Betts. Betts hasn’t overtaken Acuna in the NL MVP betting markets, but he has remained in contention throughout this season.

With a 7.9 WAR, only Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels has a higher WAR than the Dodgers’ right fielder. Betts’ current WAR of 7.9 is a touch better than Acuna’s 7.8 for the second-best mark in MLB.

.@MookieBetts shows off the wheels to end the game! #walkoff pic.twitter.com/0qRZ9QHq5h

— MLB (@MLB) September 20, 2023

That said, with Acuna and Olson, the Braves have two players in the Top 5 in WAR⁵. In any event, there hasn’t been a consequential difference between the Braves and Dodgers at the plate. The Dodgers’ 5.64 runs per game has the Boys in Blue less than 0.20 runs off the pace of the Braves.

The pitching has favored the Dodgers, especially in September, where they’ve been in top form. With a 3.58 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, the Dodgers’ pitching has been in the Top 5 over the last three weeks.

As well, the Dodgers have excelled out of the bullpen. The Dodgers’ relievers have the second-best ERA at 3.47 through 601.2 innings this season.

Best MLB World Series Value Bet: Tampa Bay Rays (+800)

Although they have reached the World Series twice, the Rays have yet to win the most coveted title in baseball. Most recently, the Rays went to the 2020 World Series against the Dodgers.

Despite losing in six games, the Rays have returned to the limelight in the fall. Currently, the Rays are in the midst of a battle for the AL East divisional crown with the Orioles. Unfortunately, playing in the most competitive division in baseball has its downfalls.

They may not be as flashy as the Braves or Dodgers, but their World Series odds should be closer to the Orioles at online betting sites. The Rays are well behind the Orioles’ World Series odds, who are currently +550 at Bovada to win the World Series.

The Rays and Orioles have battled neck and neck this season. In this instance, we advise siding with the stronger betting value.

This lineup doesn’t hold any household names, but this is a good time to familiarize yourself with Isaac Parades, Randy Arozarena, and Yandy Diaz.

.@RaysBaseball has reemerged in the AL East race.

Yandy Díaz leads the charge offensively. pic.twitter.com/hLCmhjfZ8z

— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2023

All three have recorded at least 75 RBIs and 20 home runs for the Rays in 2023⁶. Also, Diaz and Arozarena are both in the Top 10 in wRC+. The Braves are the only other team with two players in the Top 10⁷.

Having posted an ERA of 3.79 through September 22, the Rays are fourth in the majors this month. Shane McClanahan was lost for the year after he had to undergo Tommy John surgery, but the pitching staff has stepped up since his departure from the rotation.

The key to their success has been keeping the ball in the park. The Rays’ pitching staff is second, with 1.09 home runs conceded per 9 innings⁸.

Additionally, the Rays’ relievers have been amongst the best out of the bullpen in 2023. Entering the final week of the regular season, the Rays’ bullpen is fourth with a team ERA of 3.79⁹.

Losing Wander Franco hurts, but the Rays’ offensive production has held steady in his absence. With Franco and McClanahan unavailable, the Rays are getting better value than they otherwise would have had with them active.

The Rays are inconspicuously heading into the postseason, with their World Series odds are worth a second glance at Bovada.

Best MLB World Series Longshot Bet: Toronto Blue Jays (+2000)

Canada’s team has not met expectations this season. The 2023 campaign was projected to be a big year for the Blue Jays.

However, they are not in the AL East race and are currently fighting for a place in the Wild Card Round.

The Blue Jays still have immense talent on their roster, though. They’ve underperformed, but could very well get hot at the perfect time.

To their credit, this is the hottest and coldest team in MLB. And, when the Blue Jays are hot, they can beat any team in MLB.

Spearheaded by Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and George Springer, the offense has ample talent to score big. We just haven’t seen it consistently enough, hence why this is a mediocre offense statistically.

The offense has underperformed, but the pitching staff is underrated. Kevin Gausman has quietly been one of the best-starting pitchers in the American League.

Kevin Gausman is the first AL pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts this season! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cnEwRkBFya

— MLB (@MLB) August 29, 2023

He is joined by Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Yusei Kikuchi, and Hyun Jin Ryu. They’ve helped lead the Blue Jays to the second-best ERA in MLB at 3.72. Additionally, the Blue Jays’ bullpen has been strong, with an ERA of 3.65.

This team has a nice blend of veterans who have experienced postseason success and young talent. When everything is clicking for the Blue Jays, they have the potential of getting red-hot.

2023 World Series Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers (+375)

Along with Betts ranking second in WAR, Freeman and Betts are the only players on the same team that rank in the Top 5 in wRC+. The Braves have Acuna and Olson, but the Dodgers counter nicely with Freeman and Betts at the top of the order.

Additionally, the talented duo are in the Top 5 with a .410 and .409 OBP¹⁰. Following the Dodgers’ leadoff and second hitter in the lineup, the Dodgers have more power with J.D. Martinez and Max Muncy.

There are no qualms with the Dodgers’ pitching staff, either. The Dodgers’ starting rotation and bullpen have been one of the most consistent over the last month. Also, this is a battle-tested staff and experienced in the postseason.

At +375, the Dodgers are our top wager to win their second World Series since 2020.