The MLB World Series is the most popular postseason playoff championship in the United States and Canada, attracting huge betting actions. Here’s what to look for as the 2022 season (pending labor issues) begins to take shape.
The 2021 edition of the MLB World Series wrapped up in November, with the Atlanta Braves winning the championship for the first time since 1995. The team defeated the Houston Astros in six games. Soon after the end of the 2021 World Series, bookies have started to post odds for the 2022 edition of the series that will open on 31st March. The odds will change daily depending on the most recent events.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expired on December 1st of 2021, and the odds did not move significantly since then. For the uninitiated, the CBA is an agreement between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball that arranges employment conditions. In this article, we will discuss which teams will open as the 2022 MLB World Series favorites. Should you choose to place moneyline bets, be advised to check this moneyline bets in MLB explained guide.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are the favorites to win the 2022 MLB World Series. They were the favorites in the 2021 edition of the championship as well. However, the Atlanta Braves eliminated the Dodgers in Game 6 of the NLCS. In November last year, media agencies reported that the Dodgers lost two of their best players, Corey Seager and Max Scherzer, to free agency.
But even without Seager and Scherzer, the Dodgers remain one of the teams with the best rotations in baseball. Furthermore, Andrew Heaney and Daniel Hudson are the most recent additions to the Dodgers. That is why sportsbooks have the Dodgers first on the board at +600.
Houston Astros
The Astros are the team that comes second on the board at +950. In the 2021 MLB World Series, the Braves defeated the Astros in Game 6. But the Astros have good chances of winning the 2022 MLB World Series. Talented players Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, and Kyle Tucker are expected to return to the Astros.
Shortstop Carlos Correa is said to migrate from the Astros to another baseball team in free agency. But in November 2021, the longtime ace pitcher Justin Verlander signed with the Astros. If the team manages to keep Correa for the 2022 season, the Astros have a good shot to win the MLB World Series title.
New York Yankees
With a 6-2 win, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Yankees in the Wild Card Game last season. But bookmakers believe that the team has good chances to win the 2022 MLB World Series, placing them third on the board at +1,000.
Although it became clear that the Yankees will miss out on Los Angeles Dodgers free agent Corey Seager, the team still has players such as Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge and Gio Stanton (all from California). Since December last year, there have been rumors that the team will add either Trevor Story or Carlos Correa to its lineup but nothing major had happened before the lockout.
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox are fourth on the board at +1,200. In the 2021 MLB playoffs, the White Sox lost to the Astros in the ALDS. But the baseball team has a fearsome lineup. Furthermore, it features a brilliant rotation led by Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, and Dylan Cease. If Michael Kopech replaces Carlos Rodon, who suffered several injuries, the team will further improve its chance of winning the championship. Last year, relief pitcher Kendall Graveman joined the White Sox and was a beast.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays could not secure the title in the 2021 MLB World Series, but the betting odds (+1,300) show it is a fearsome title contender. The betting lines moved from +1,800 to +1,300 after the team penned a five-year contract with former San Francisco Giants’ pitcher Kevin Gausman. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays also had to say goodbye to Robbie Ray and Marcus Semien, who joined other teams. However, the Toronto lineup is full of hard-hitting young players, and that is why the team is fifth on the sportsbooks’ boards.
One Comment
I think lockout is the odds on favorite to win the World Series in 2022.
MLB is near death as a sport…declining attendance, revenue and interest. There is a rumor that umpires will start calling balls and strikes in Spanish if there is a season.
Smart money is on no one cares.