It might not quite feel like it but the World Series is sooner than you would think. This year’s incarnation of Major League Baseball’s showpiece event gets underway on Friday October 27th.
Ahead of that we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the 2023 World Series including a deep dive into the main runners and riders vying to get their hands on The Commissioner’s Trophy.
Read on to find out the favourites to win the World Series.
The Favourites
According to the latest World Series odds there are five clear favourites to be in contention to win the Commissioner’s Trophy. In reverse order they are…
Baltimore Orioles
At the time of writing the Baltimore Orioles find themselves in 1st place in AL East with a record of 70-43 after a 6-7 loss to the Houston Astros. Despite that loss most of the bookmakers rank the Orioles high in the World Series betting.
If the Orioles do manage to win the World Series it will be the first for the franchise in 40 years. Speaking to the media recently, former players from the class of 1983 Rick Dempsey, Ken Singleton and Jim Palmer all shared their belief that this current team could go the distance this season.
If they do it will be a stunning achievement for a young team not too far down the line of a recent rebuild.
Houston Astros
STOP THE COUNT! When we first started writing this article the Houston Astros were way down the betting odds in 7th or 8th and now they are sitting pretty in 4th. That win over the Orioles must have convinced the bookmakers of the Astros postseason credentials.
That shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise though as the Astros are the current holders of the Commissioner’s Trophy after beating the Phillies in last season’s showpiece event. As well as that recent experience of winning big, the Astros also have a squad stacked with talent so perhaps the bookmakers shortening their odds isn’t too bad an idea!
(Can the Astros emulate last season’s success?)
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays have had a great season so far, racking up a 69-46 record with their most recent victory, a 4-2 defeat of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Rays started the season well at home, posting a 32-8 record that has only been bettered by six teams since 1901 and of those six, only one failed to make the World Series.
History would suggest then that Tampa Bay will have a chance to win their first World Series this winter. The one thing standing in their way though is injuries, which have already had a significant impact on their form.
Do the Tampa Bay Rays have the depth to keep absorbing their recent injury woes or will the visits to the treatment room scupper their postseason hopes?
Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts and the LA Dodgers find themselves 1st in the NL West with a 66-46 record and with most bookmakers as the second favourites to win the World Series at +450. What makes the bookmakers so confident in the Dodgers?
Well first of all it’s the franchise strength in depth when it comes to pitching which sets them apart from other contenders like the Rays. Then there is the top level, crunch time experience of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in the roster and the coaching experience of David Roberts.
When you compare the strengths of the Dodgers against other franchises, it’s clear to see why the bookmakers have backed them so heavily.
(The Dodgers have that winning habit.)
Atlanta Braves
The Braves aren’t just the bookmaker’s favourites, they are everyone’s favourites. At the time of writing their 71-40 record sets the apart from every other team in the league and it’s hard to see past them for the World Series.
In Sean Murphy they have one of the best catchers in the business which is in addition to their league leading arsenal of pitchers. Combine that with their relentless mentality and their ability to perform under pressure and it’s easy to see why the Braves are +330 to win the World Series.
The Braves 2021 World Series win could be written off as an anomaly as they didn’t finish the season with the greatest record but just peaked at the right time. If they win the Commissioner’s Trophy this season though it will be fully deserved as they haven’t just been the best team in the league this year, but also the best team in the league for the second half of last year too.
