- The Yankees are favorites to win the World Series.
- The Dodgers are betting favorites to win the National League.
The 2024 MLB season will conclude with the World Series.
World Series Schedule & Dates
Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-7 series are hosted by the team with home-field advantage. The other team hosts Games 3, 4, and (if necessary) 5. If Games 6 and 7 are played, they’re both played at the site of the team with home-field advantage.
The dates and first-pitch times are released until both the ALCS and NLCS have been completed. The series typically starts in late October or early November.
How Many MLB Teams Reach the Postseason?
After the 162-game regular season — which includes MLB’s balanced schedule in its second year — 12 teams advance to the postseason.
The current MLB postseason format was introduced in 2022. Three division winners and three Wild Card teams from each league comprise the MLB playoff bracket.
MLB Postseason Seeds
In each league, teams are seeded 1-6:
No. 1 seed: Best league record
No. 2 seed: Second-best division winner
No. 3 seed: Third-best division winner
No. 4 seed: Best record among Wild Card teams
No. 5 seed: Second-best record among Wild Card teams
No. 6 seed: Third-best record among Wild Card teams
The Nos. 1 and 2 seeds receive first-round byes to the Division Series.
For the Wild Card Series, the No. 3 seed faces the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed faces the No. 5 seed.
How Are World Series Teams Chosen?
The two teams that win their respective Championship Series — ALCS and NLCS — advance to the World Series.
The team with the best regular-season record has home-field advantage in the series.
World Series Favorites
Teams with the shortest World Series odds:
- New York Yankees +325
- Los Angeles Dodgers +340
- Philadelphia Phillies +400
- San Diego Padres +550
- Cleveland Guardians +1000
- Detroit Tigers +1000
- Kansas City Royals +1100
- New York Mets +1200
AL Pennant Favorites
Teams with the shortest MLB betting odds for the AL pennant:
- Yankees +115
- Guardians +340
- Tigers +350
- Royals +400
NL Pennant Favorites
Teams with the shortest MLB odds for the NL pennant:
- Dodgers +180
- Phillies +200
- Padres +290
- Mets +500
World Series Predictions: Yankees vs. Dodgers
Based on the latest odds, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to meet in the 2024 World Series.
It’s worth noting that the Dodgers have been the favorites all year, but were only recently passed by the Yankees in this market following the Wild Card round.
Putting the Yankees on top is more of a reflection of their path. They are the lone non-AL Central team left on their side of the bracket, providing a much more favorable path than what the Dodgers will have to face.
New York clashes with Kansas City in the ALDS, while Los Angeles meets up with San Diego in the NLDS.
List of Recent World Series Champions
| Year | Team | Preseason Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rangers | +5000 |
| 2022 | Astros | +1000 |
| 2021 | Braves | +1000 |
| 2020 | Dodgers | +385 |
| 2019 | Nationals | +1600 |
| 2018 | Red Sox | +1150 |
| 2017 | Astros | +1175 |
| 2016 | Cubs | +660 |
| 2015 | Royals | +3300 |
| 2014 | Giants | +2500 |
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