by Darren Moore
In their attempt to successfully defend their World Series title, the Los Angeles Dodgers are currently on track to record at least 100 wins per 162 games for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
The fact that the Dodgers are still performing at such a level is testament to the quality and depth of their roster, with them having had to overcome a number of issues on and off the field this year.
Players on the Slide
Center fielder Cody Bellinger (who won the National League MVP after hitting .305 with a .406 OBP, a 1.035 OPS and 8.2 WAR per 162 in 2019) has suffered a steep decline in performance over the past two years, even allowing for the fact that he has struggled with a fractured fibula and hamstring problems for lengthy periods this season.
There’s also been a downturn in performance from all of the team’s best returning players from 2020, with Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Clayton Kershaw, Chris Taylor and Tony Gonsolin all producing below their usual levels.
And the least said about the Dodgers’ marquee offseason acquisition, pitcher Trevor Bauer, the better.
MLB Betting Odds
Despite the downturn, the current 2021 World Series betting odds with the popular offshore sportsbook Bovada still has the Dodgers as favorites at +320 to make a successful defense of the Commissioner’s Trophy they won last season.
They can also be backed at +160 to win the 2021 National League with Bovada and are +275 to see off the San Francisco Giants in the race to be the National League West winner.
Latest World Series Winner Odds
- Los Angeles Dodgers +320
- San Francisco Giants +475
- Houston Astros +550
- Milwaukee Brewers +450
- Tampa Bay Rays +650
- Chicago White Sox +700
- Oakland Athletics +1000
- New York Yankees +1400
- Boston Red Sox +1500
- Atlanta Braves +1600
- St. Louis Cardinals +1600
- Toronto Blue Jays +2200
- Philadelphia Phillies +4000
- Seattle Mariners +6000
- San Diego Padres +7000
- New York Mets +15000
- Cincinnati Reds +30000
* Odds correct as at September 30, 2021. All MLB odds are subject to changes.
How MLB Odds Work
For those of you not familiar with how MLB betting odds work, with positive numbers, the number shown simply represent the amount you would win for a $100 stake. So for example, a $100 bet on the Dodgers at odds of +320 today would win you $320 profit with a total return of $420 with your stakes returned.
A negative number means the team are favorites and the amount shown is the stake you would have to bet in order to win $100 profit.
Gambling on sports online in the United States is currently legal in 22 states, while in-person betting (only inside casinos) is permitted in three states.
Players Stepping Up
While the marquee names have, to varying degrees, not performed as expected this season, others have stepped up.
Starting pitcher Walker Buehler has led the way, but there have also been notable performances from veteran third baseman Justin Turner, infielder Max Muncy, catcher Will Smith and Julio Urías in his first full-length season as a starter although he did show an unexplainable velocity dip in last Tuesday night’s game in Colorado.
There were also the significant 2021 trade deadline moves that saw the Dodgers adding pitcher Max Scherzer and infielder Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals.
Darren lives & breathes sports betting and is always sniffing out his next value bet. His favourite sports to bet on are the NFL, horse racing and UFC but he will bet on anything if he thinks the odds are favourable.
