By Kenny Burgess
Many MLB teams were active at the trade deadline and improved their shots at winning it all, while some teams stood pat, and some sold off. We’re going to analyze which teams improved their odds the most and put themselves in a better position to make a deep run in October.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros improved their World Series odds after bringing back Justin Verlander, who was fantastic during his time in Houston, bringing home two World Series championships. After winning the AL Cy Young with the Astros last season and winning another World Series, Verlander signed a huge contract with the Mets this offseason. But the Mets have greatly underperformed and dealt Verlander right back to Houston at the deadline.
The Astros were one of the top contenders before adding Verlander, but their odds jumped from +800 to +700. This gives Houston the fourth-best odds to win the title. We’ll see if this reunion works out for both parties, but either way, it made the Astros more dangerous.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have shocked the entire baseball world and currently have the second-best record in all of baseball. Baltimore decided it needed more pitching to make a run at the title and acquired Jack Flaherty from St. Louis. The Orioles reportedly were serious contenders to acquire Verlander, but the Astros ultimately snagged him.
Flaherty has filthy stuff and a career 3.58 ERA with 706 strikeouts in 633 innings. Following the trade for Flaherty, the Orioles’ odds shifted from +1700 to +1200. This is quite a drastic change, and it gives Baltimore the sixth-best odds to win the World Series. Oddsmakers are starting to believe in the Orioles and Flaherty is a big addition to their rotation.
Texas Rangers
The Astros weren’t the only team in the AL West who acquired a veteran pitcher. The Texas Rangers also got a former Cy Young winner from the Mets when they brought in Max Scherzer. The newest member hasn’t been himself this year, but the Rangers are hoping Scherzer can find his form down the stretch and into the postseason.
Before the trade, the Rangers’ World Series odds were at +1000, but they have jumped to +800. This still leaves the Rangers behind Houston, but this trade has oddsmakers believing in Texas a little more.
*All odds from FanDuel Sportsbook
Photo credit: Houston Astros’ Instagram
