- The Dodgers are betting favorites to win the World Series.
- The Yankees are favorites to win the American League.
- The Astros have upside in the futures market.
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:
- Los Angeles Dodgers +333
- Philadelphia Phillies +425
- New York Yankees +600
- Baltimore Orioles +700
- Atlanta Braves +900
- Houston Astros +1400
- Cleveland Guardians +1600
- Minnesota Twins +1800
- Milwaukee Brewers +2500
- Seattle Mariners +2500
AL Pennant Favorites
Teams with the shortest AL pennant odds:
- Yankees +250
- Orioles +275
- Guardians +550
- Astros +600
- Twins +800
- Mariners +1100
- Red Sox +1800
- Royals +2000
NL Pennant Favorites
Teams with the shortest NL pennant odds:
- Dodgers +160
- Phillies +210
- Braves +450
- Brewers +1200
- Padres +1600
- Cardinals +2500
- Padres +2500
- Diamondbacks +2500
MLB World Series Prediction
Pick:Â Astros (+1400)
Oddsmakers never really gave bettors much of a discount on the Houston Astros.
Despite a 10-19 start to the season, Houston was 15/1 to win the World Series on May 1.
The Astros then posted a 15-14 clip in May before finishing with the best record in baseball (17-8) during June.
They eventually passed the Seattle Mariners for the AL West lead in the first weekend after the All-Star break to enter the latest MLB playoff picture.
With their recent performance, this team has shown great potential. Houston’s future odds are worth a look in a wide-open American League.
The Astros have reached the ALCS in each of the last seven seasons, winning two World Series rings and four AL pennants.
Nobody wants to see a team with this much playoff reputation in October.
Baseball Betting at BetMGM
Baseball betting never sleeps at the online sportsbook.
From spring training and Opening Day through the World Series, you can bet on a variety of MLB odds for nearly 3,000 games each year.
Whether you’re building a moneyline parlay with the Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks, betting on the Boston Red Sox run line against the Toronto Blue Jays, or placing a player prop bet, there’s something for everyone.
If you don’t have an account, register today with BetMGM’s welcome offer. Once you have an account, check for daily sports betting promos.
