We’re into the summer months, and MLB World Series contenders are beginning to take shape.
Who’s the best MLB team right now? Who are the top favorites of this MLB season thus far? Join us as we evaluate the MLB’s top-ranked World Series title favorites.
Atlanta Braves
Watch out because the Atalanta Braves currently dominate the National League (50-27). They’re topping a lot of MLB Power Rankings as of June 2023 after taking a road trip and dismantling one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, the Cincinnati Reds.
However, road success is familiar to the Braves this term, as they’re boasting a 26-12 away record heading into the final week of June. Their series success over the Reds was just another display of how good this team can be, particularly this month. They’re tied for the most winning games in June (16) and hold a 21-16 record throughout the previous six weeks.
Braves Odds to win the World Series: +300
Tampa Bay Rays
Jumping over to the American League, no team has been more successful than Tampa so far. They’re sitting tidily with a 54-27 record, topping the AL East, but consistency has seen them falter in June, which isn’t a great sign when considering the competitive schedule ahead.
We can’t entirely knock the Rays’ pitching staff in June (3.63 ERA), and multiple injuries should be considered. However, with the Diamondbacks, Mariners, Phillies, and Braves ahead, Kevin Cash must resolve the team’s current issues hitting rank of 13th in OPS (0.734) following a series split versus the Royals.
Rays Odds to win the World Series: +400
Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite being swept by the Giants this month, the best sportsbooks haven’t altered the Los Angeles Dodgers odds positioning to win the World Series.
This could be related to their bounce-back sweep over the Angels. With a healthy squad in tow and a range of experience on the field, we shouldn’t sleep on this team moving forward.
Dodgers Odds to win the World Series: +600
Houston Astros
I wouldn’t rush to the bookmakers and place your wager on the Astros to win the World Series because we expect the current price to become more lucrative over the coming months. The team lost Yordan Alcarez – one of the best hitters in the MLB – and with him absent from the starting line-up, they hold a 0.729 OPS (13th in MLB) in June.
However, there is some saving grace for the Astros, as the only big challenge they’ll face between now and the All-Star Break is Texas.
Astros Odds to win the World Series: +700
Texas Rangers
Texas is on a heater, with much thanks to shortstop Corey Seager.
After returning from injury, Seager’s assistance has flattened the cold streak of Marcus Semien, and he’s batting .355/.401/.667 with a 1.067 OPS.
Now, the Rangers are 21-12 since his return, and once the pitching staff has addressed the 3.98 ERA from June, it’s difficult to envision the Astros, Angels, Mariners, or Athletics challenging this team for the AL West.
Rangers odds to win the World Series: +900
New York Yankees
The Yankees’ potential without Aaron Judge isn’t great. Since the beginning of June, the Yankee’s line-up boasts the lowest OPS (0.603) in MLB. Even more concerningly, their hitters have slumped beyond the Mendoza line (.196) from their previous 562 plate appearances.
It goes without saying that to reach this year’s playoffs; the Yankees desperately need Judge back in the squad and Carlos Rodon.
Fans will be preying Judge’s Grade 3 turf toe doesn’t require surgery because if that’s the situation presented, it could result in a six-month absence versus a potential August return without surgery.
Yankees Odds to win the World Series: +1600
San Diego Padres
Sitting in the fourth position of the NL West after 78 games isn’t what most critics expected from the San Diego Padres this season.
But it would seem bookmakers and bettors still place slight faith in this team as they hold shorter odds to win the World Series against more successful squads such as the Minnesota Twins and the Miami Marlins.
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Perhaps Fernando Tatis Jr (.378/.474/.744, 1.218 OPS) and Juan Soto (.297/.426/.527, .953 OPS) are the backbones of said faith, as they’ve been crucial in the Padres’ winning record of 12-9 from their previous 21 games.
Padres Odds to win the World Series: +1800
