2024 MLB Futures: World Series Opening Odds
The Texas Rangers cashed long World Series odds tickets for 2023 bettors, and the Arizona Diamondbacks nearly did the same. Those teams could be found around 40-1 and 100-1, respectively. Bettors can begin looking for similar diamonds in next season’s rough, as 2024 World Series opening numbers have hit odds boards.
Let’s look through the opening numbers and take note of some teams and players that could be on the move.
Opening Odds FOr 2024 World Series
Who Wins Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes?
One of the biggest stories of the offseason involves the biggest star in baseball. Where will Shohei Ohtani land? Before we move on, keep in mind that after sustaining a torn UCL, Ohtani isn’t expected to pitch in 2024. However, in each of his two MVP campaigns, he contributed more with the stick than on the mound. Last year, he compiled a personal best 6.6 fWAR as a hitter.
If you look carefully, there are some hints in the preseason pricing, specifically on DraftKings Sportsbook, about which teams have prime positioning to land the two-way superhuman.
Boston has been rumored to be a top destination for a while now. The Red Sox already had a solid lineup, and Ohtani would make them among the league’s best.
However, the pitching ranked just 20th in fWAR. Additions would need to be made, and Boston has not shown a real appetite for spending of late. They also play in a tough division.
The Giants have also been big game hunting in recent years. They reportedly offered the biggest deal to Aaron Judge, and also had a deal with Carlos Correa fall through after issues with his physical. If San Francisco can offer Judge-ian money, they could find themselves in the mix to add Ohtani to a team that finished a few games back of the playoffs and doesn’t lose any major free agents.
Expect the Dodgers and Yankees to factor in as well, naturally.
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Braves Narrowly Favored Ahead of Dodgers, Rangers
The presumptive 2023 champions, dominant in the regular season, forgot to show up in the playoffs. Still, the Braves boast undoubtedly the most enviable young core in baseball.
The lineup should remain the game’s most potent, but there are some questions in the pitching staff outside of aces Spencer Strider and Max Fried. The remaining spots are pretty much a giant question mark, although Bryce Elder probably did enough to earn a spot. Will Charlie Morton run it back one more time?
The Rangers have much the same story. Hitting-wise, they’ll remain elite, losing only backup catcher (but potent hitter) Mitch Garver. On the pitching end, key midseason pickup Jordan Montgomery hits free agency. We’ll see if both sides are amenable to a reunion. What does Max Scherzer have left entering his age 39 season? And Jacob deGrom looks unlikely to contribute next year.
LA Dodgers also occupy one of the top spots, unsurprisingly. They’ve averaged 105.6 wins over the past three seasons and, as mentioned, may figure into the Ohtani race.
Key pieces are mostly back, aside from longtime ace Clayton Kershaw. The legendary southpaw can’t be counted on for 150-plus innings anymore, but the 20 or so starts he does provide remain very high-quality. And the rotation contains even less certainty than those of the Braves and Rangers, with the likes of Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove possibly penciled in, to say nothing of the injury uncertainty around Walker Buehler and Dustin May.
Houston and Philadelphia round out the favorites. The Astros will basically run it back minus Dusty Baker, while the Phillies must find a replacement for Aaron Nola.
Who Could Be Next Year’s Rangers, Diamondbacks?
For starters, how about the Diamondbacks? No longer priced as an extreme longshot, the Snakes bring back their three key rotation pieces and a budding superstar hitter (and MVP odds candidate?) Corbin Carroll.
A couple of solid supporting pieces in Tommy Pham and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are scheduled to hit free agency. But, overall, this is a younger team that should be hitting its stride. Only Christian Walker, Ketel Marte (barely) and Merrill Kelly are on the wrong side of 30.
A couple of small-budget Ohio teams may be worth a look.
Cleveland has a young and loaded rotation. In fact, nearly the entire team is on the right side of 30. The hitting was dreadful for stretches. But, full seasons from Josh and Bo Naylor, as well as internal improvements from young players, could have the arrow pointing up. Additionally, a trade for top Rays 1B prospect Kyle Manzardo could fortify things if he hits the ground running.
Cincinnati lit the league on fire for a stretch last season and also has a very young lineup and rotation. They’ll need lefty Nick Lodolo to return healthy. Viral phenom Elly De La Cruz must also find his footing again after swing-and-miss issues marred his second half.
Both teams have the benefit of soft divisions, so clear paths to the playoffs exist.
Keep an eye on the machinations this coming offseason, which will undoubtedly move markets. This article from FanGraphs has a listing of key dates, giving bettors an idea of when to expect major moves. If you want to lock in early value on 2024 World Series odds, plan your bets around free agency and the winter meetings. Good luck betting early 2024 World Series odds.
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