World Series 2024 Betting Odds, Predictions, and Picks

As the first pitch of the MLB season quickly approaches, World Series sportsbooks have updated their World Series betting odds for the 2024 season.

Acquiring Shohei Ohtani sent the Dodgers’ World Series odds 2024 to the top of the board at the best MLB betting sites. However, strong competition could spoil the party in Los Angeles.

Here’s a look at the MLB World Series odds at the beginning of the season and my best pre-season 2024 World Series predictions.

MLB World Series 2024 Betting Odds

The following World Series betting odds are courtesy of BetOnline:

Following the Texas Rangers’ title in 2023, the Atlanta Braves opened as +650 World Series favorites. However, the World Series 2024 odds shifted markedly after Ohtani opted to sign with the Dodgers.

Currently, at BetOnline, the Dodgers are (+300) odds-on favorites to win the World Series in 2024. The reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers (+1400) own the sixth-best odds to win the World Series for back-to-back titles.

I recommend that you line shop for the best World Series odds at sports betting sites. Currently, BetOnline is offering unbeatable value for 2024 World Series betting picks, and new bettors can take advantage of a 50% match bonus of up to $1,000.

Ready to play at BetOnline?

Visit BetOnline

2024 World Series Favorites

Let’s get started with an in-depth betting preview of the World Series 2024 favorites:

Los Angeles Dodgers (+300)

Despite winning the NL West and a 100-win season, the Dodgers crashed out of the 2023 postseason in a three-game sweep against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Aside from capturing the World Series in the shortened COVID-19 season, Dodgers fans have gotten accustomed to this club falling below expectations.

Now, with Ohtani’s arrival, expectations are even higher for the Dodgers in 2024. Although Ohtani will not be pitching this season, he will still provide a significant boost to the offensive synergy.

Last season, Ohtani had the biggest year of his career at the plate. In his final year with the LA Angels, he hit .304 with 44 home runs and 95 RBIs in 497 at-bats. Additionally, Ohtani posted a .412 OBP and .654 SLG en route to the AL MVP award¹.

Ohtani joins a Dodgers team that isn’t short of offensive firepower. In 2023, the Dodgers ranked second in the Majors, with 5.53 runs scored per game². The $700 million man will only make the offense more dangerous alongside Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

The offense will undoubtedly be tough to stop this season. As far as the starting rotation is concerned, the Dodgers will be in fine shape if they manage to stay healthy for the postseason. Signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto provides the pitching staff with a lift, but he must play up to his lofty standards.

Atlanta Braves (+500)

The Braves opened with the shortest World Series odds. However, Ohtani going to the Dodgers shook up the World Series betting markets, which pushed the Braves back a spot. Nevertheless, the Braves opened as a +650 favorite, and slid down to +500 in the World Series 2024 odds at the beginning of the season.

Since winning the 2021 World Series, the Braves have exited the postseason earlier than they planned in back-to-back years. That said, they finished with the best overall record in MLB at 104-58 in 2023.

The Braves retain the core that made them such a potent force last season. Despite Ohtani being in the NL now, Ronald Acuna Jr. is the betting favorite to repeat as MVP.

Last season, Acuna Jr. helped lead the Braves to score the most points in the Major Leagues. With 5.75 runs scored per contest, the Braves finished ahead of the Dodgers and Rangers offensively. Acuna Jr. was in top form with a .337 average, 41 home runs, and 106 RBIs.

Acuna Jr. reached base consistently, with a .416 OBP, and was a thorn in the side of opponents when he did. With 73 stolen bases, Acuna Jr. broke the Braves’ all-time franchise record and became the first player of the 40-60 club in MLB³.

With the big bat of Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson to go with Acuna Jr., the Braves will mash the ball again.

The Braves also have the potential to have the best starting rotation in baseball. Spencer Strider missed out on the NL CY Young to Blake Snell last year, but he has a strong argument to win the hardware in 2024.

2024 World Series Dark Horses

Check out a couple of World Series sleepers that you should consider for your World Series 2024 betting picks:

Arizona Diamondbacks (+3500)

I will preface this by saying, a team that is coming off a World Series appearance doesn’t qualify for most people’s definition of a dark horse team. However, according to the Diamondbacks’ MLB World Series odds, they are considered a sleeper club.

At BetOnline, the Diamondbacks are tied for the 13th-worst World Series odds with the Cubs, Cardinals, and Rays. Oddsmakers aren’t respecting the Diamondbacks nearly enough heading into this season.

The NLCS champs didn’t get any worse than last season’s 84-78 record and will likely show some improvement as Corbin Caroll’s continues to climb. After hitting .285 with 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, and 54 stolen bases, the 23-year-old outfielder ran away with 2023 NL Rookie of the Year honors⁵.

To add power to the lineup, the Diamondbacks signed Joc Pederson to a one-year contract. The former Dodger isn’t coming off his best season, but on a “prove it” one-year deal, there should be motivation for Pederson to return to his best form.

At 31 years old, Pederson isn’t old enough to warrant being called ‘washed up’ or ‘his career is done’. Carroll, Pederson, and Christian Walker are set to do damage for the Snakes in the NL West —  and Walker can be categorized as one of the most underrated players in baseball.

Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly give the D-backs a strong 1-2 punch, however, a lot hinges on how well Eduardo Rodriguez can pitch behind Gallen and Kelly, and how quickly Brandon Pfaadt matures.

San Diego Padres (+5000)

In 2023, pre-season expectations were through the roof for the San Diego Padres. Many baseball pundits’ World Series predictions had the Padres as the team to beat. The season never came to fruition for the Padres.

Fernando Tatis Jr.’s delayed start to the season, and other key injuries, were too much for the Padres to overcome. After falling well below expectations and missing the postseason, no one is discussing the Padres.

The Padres lost a big bat in Juan Soto to the Yankees this past offseason. It’s easy to consider this a huge subtraction for the Padres. Also, NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell continues to hold out for a massive contract.

Having said that, San Diego will have a lineup with plenty of potential. With a healthy Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts, and Manny Machado, this offense could be in for a bounce-back spot.

In addition to Snell’s departure, the Padres said goodbye to Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo. Nonetheless, if Yu Darvish can revert to his 2022 form and Joe Musgrove holds up, the Padres might be fine.

More 2024 MLB World Series Sleepers:

Before moving on to the World Series best bets, there are a few more underdogs to consider who play above pre-season projections:

The Rays always seem to be in contention, regardless of what the experts predict. They flopped hard in the 2023 postseason, but still have a talented ball club.

Someone will have to win the dreadful AL Central in 2024. If the Twins regress even slightly, the Tigers or Royals have a chance to steal a berth in the Wild Card Series. Despite barely getting into the postseason, anything can happen in October.

MLB World Series 2024 Predictions and Betting Picks

A longshot and favorite are on my list of World Series 2024 best bets and MLB betting strategy for 2024:

Best World Series Longshot Bet

The Diamondbacks’ Carroll could be on the verge of winning the NL Rookie of the Year and MVP in one year.

Is he going to win MVP? It’s going to be difficult with a healthy Acuna Jr. and Ohtani, though Carroll will likely be in the conversation.

Last season, Carroll was +10000 to win NL MVP in early June. Three weeks later he had +450 odds. Caroll’s career is only going up, and he has talent behind him in the lineup.

Although the Diamondbacks have questions to answer in their rotation, the potential is there in the desert. At +3500, the D-backs are a strong World Series bet to look at in 2024.

World Series 2024 Prediction

As long as Ohtani isn’t pitching, the Braves have the most well-balanced club in MLB. The Dodgers can rake, but so can the Braves, and their pitching staff holds an advantage over the rest of the Majors. That may change as the season progresses, but the Dodgers’ starters can’t afford another injury. With that in mind, the Braves have a more trusted and established rotation.

Overall, from top to bottom, the Braves have more depth offensively and from the pitching staff. +500 World Series odds on the most complete team in baseball is a bet worth considering.

Ready to play at BetOnline?

Visit BetOnline