By Kenny Burgess
This has been a wild 2023 MLB season — we’ve seen many teams underperform or surprise us. There are also teams that have remained favorites or stayed in the basement. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the teams’ lines that have changed the most and some who have followed suit with the linemakers prior to the season.
The Favorites Who Are Still Favorites
Atlanta Braves +330 from +850
The Braves were widely considered World Series favorites heading into the season at +850, which was good enough for the third-best odds to win it all. The Braves have been completely dominant thus far this season and currently have the MLB’s best record. Atlanta is led by MVP candidate, Ronald Acuna Jr., who is chasing a historic 40 HR/80 SB season. The Braves are now the favorite to win the title at +330.
Los Angeles Dodgers +550 from +550
The Dodgers opened as the co-favorites for the World Series title, and they’ve been just as advertised. The Dodgers started a bit slow, but have come on strong recently and have taken over the NL West yet again. The Dodgers are loaded with star power and might arguably have the best 1-2 offensive punch in baseball with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers’ line is currently the same as it was when betting opened at +550.
Houston Astros +800 from +550
The Astros were the co-favorites to win the World Series when betting opened this season and still have the fourth-best odds to win it all at +800. The odds have gotten a bit longer from the start of the season even though Houston has been dealing with some key injuries so far this season. Superstars Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez have both missed significant time due to injury, but the team still has an impressive 50-41 record. If the Astros are healthy, they are just as dangerous as anyone.
The Surprise Betting Favorites & Risers
Tampa Bay Rays +600 from +3000
When will people learn that it’s never really a good idea to bet against the Tampa Bay Rays? They opened as long shots to win it all and the Rays now have the third-best odds (+600) to be the last team standing. Tampa Bay has the American League’s best record, are in the top five for almost every major offensive and pitching statistic, and are being recognized as a real threat to be the last team standing and it shows in their drastic line movement.
Texas Rangers +1300 from +6000
The Texas Rangers have been nothing short of electric so far this season and now have the fifth shortest odds to be World Series champs at +1300. The Rangers currently have a record of 52-39 and are atop of the AL West. Texas has scored the most runs in the MLB this season and are a serious threat. After an extremely disappointing season last year, the Rangers have come out of nowhere to be one of the favorites at the midway point of this season. The line movement shows the oddsmakers certainly didn’t see the Rangers being this good.
Arizona Diamondbacks +2800 from +7000
The Diamondbacks were not viewed as a threat at all in the loaded NL West, but they’ve at least put themselves right in the middle of the conversation. The Diamondbacks are currently tied for the division lead with the Dodgers and have one of the most drastic jump in odds in the MLB. Rookie Corbin Carroll has been fantastic and Zac Gallen just started for the National League All-Star team. The NL is loaded, but this shift in odds shows Arizona is beginning to garner some attention.
Biggest Disappointments & Fallers
St. Louis Cardinals +20000 from 2200
After winning the NL Central last year and being led by MVP Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, many saw the Cardinals as serious title contenders as they opened with the 10th-best World Series odds in all of baseball. However, the Cardinals have fallen flat on their face this year and have the third-worst record in the National League. The team has already announced it plans to be sellers at this year’s deadline and it seems like a lost season in St. Louis.
New York Mets +6500 from +950
Coming off a 101-win season and having the biggest payroll in baseball, expectations were sky-high for the New York Mets and they opened the season with the fourth-best odds to win the title, but have vastly underperformed. The Mets now sit at +6500 odds to win it all and the playoffs seem like a long shot. Almost no player on either side of the ball has played well and the team will have a serious uphill battle to even sneak into the playoffs.
San Diego Padres +4500 from +1400
The San Diego Padres are in a very similar situation to the Mets. Last season saw the Padres make it all the way to the NLCS and they spent a lot in free agency this winter. But right now, the Padres currently sit six games out of the final wild-card spot. San Diego added Xander Bogaerts and got Fernnado Tatis Jr. back from suspension, but they still haven’t racked up wins. At this point, it will take a lot for the Padres to make the playoffs, let alone win it all.
**All Odds Provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Photo credits: Braves, Astros, Rangers, & Cardinals’ Instagrams
