by Darren Moore
The MLB regular season is now moving into its closing weeks, with attention now starting to focus on which team will come through the playoffs and go on to win the 2021 World Series.
As things stand, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the sportsbooks favorites to go back-to-back in retaining the trophy, which would be the first time any team has done so since the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000.
World Series Betting Odds
Those bettors who wish to bet the Dodgers can currently get MLB odds of +300 with top offshore sportsbook Bovada.
The other leading teams in the betting odds to win the World Series, in what is a very competitive market, are the Tampa Bay Rays at +450, Chicago White Sox at +550, Milwaukee Brewers at +550, Houston Astros at +600, New York Yankees at +900 and San Francisco Giants at +900.
Who can beat the Dodgers?
Most observers believe that the Dodgers are the best team in baseball right now and they have built momentum since adding pitcher Max Scherzer and infielder Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals at the 2021 trade deadline.
Their current formidable pitching roster rotation features Scherzer, Walker Buehler and Julio Urias, while Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin took part in simulated games earlier this week. That provides the Dodgers with a ridiculous level of depth.
With elite stars such as Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Justin Turner healthy and a deep roster, the Dodgers are the team to beat. There’s also the fact that they know exactly what’s required to win a World Series.
National League Betting Odds
The Dodgers first have to win the National League before thinking about the World Series of course, and they are currently +135 with Bovada Sportsbook to do so.
Their main rivals in the National League are Milwaukee Brewers at odds of +300, San Francisco Giants at +400 and Atlanta Braves at +850. Although there are no guarantees, the Dodgers are the most obvious team to come through the National League to the World Series.
American League Betting Odds
The American League looks somewhat more competitive. The current betting odds with Bovada has the Tampa Bay Rays at +220, Chicago White Sox at +275, Houston Astros at +300 and New York Yankees at +450.
The great strength of the Rays is that they can call upon a six-man rotation, even after trading Rich Hill to the New York Mets.
The White Sox could be a threat, particularly after acquiring pitchers Craig Kimbrel and Ryan Tepera from the Chicago Cubs at the deadline to boost their bullpen.
The Yankees have been improving since making the trade deadline acquisitions of Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo, having had a 13-game winning streak. They have been helped by the return of Corey Kluber from the injured list, while Luis Severino and Michael King are moving closer to returning to action.
* MLB World Series odds correct at the time of writing. All betting odds are subject to changes.
Image credit – https://www.facebook.com/Dodgers
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.
