The final weeks of the MLB season are here, and while the weather may start to get cooler, the odds for World Series winner are hot.
We know the Atlanta Braves have been a top team in 2023, but the regulars atop the standings — the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros — have taken the scenic route to the top of their respective divisions.
Let’s look at the updated odds for the 2023 World Series Champion.
World Series Betting Odds 2023
To see the most up-to-date World Series odds from our favorite sportsbooks, adjust the module below and select MLB - World Series - Winner:
World Series Odds 2023
2023 World Series MLB betting odds are current as of Friday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. ET on Caesars Sportsbook.
- Atlanta Braves (+300)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (+500)
- Houston Astros (+550)
- Baltimore Orioles (+800)
- Tampa Bay Rays (+1000)
- Seattle Mariners (+1200)
- Texas Rangers (+1300)
- Philadelphia Phillies (+1600)
- Toronto Blue Jays (+2200)
- Minnesota Twins (+2800)
- Milwaukee Brewers (+2800)
- Chicago Cubs (+3500)
All remaining teams have odds of (+6000) or longer. It’s getting tight atop the odds board, and that is unlikely to change before the playoffs.
World Series Best Bet 2023
Atlanta Braves (+300)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
There’s a lot to like with the Braves, even with the Dodgers breathing down their neck for the top spot in the National League.
One big difference between the two clubs is pitching. Atlanta may not wow anyone with its rotation, but their injuries and inconsistencies pale in comparison to Los Angeles’.
Philadelphia and Milwaukee are the only teams on or above the level Atlanta’s pitching is at right now, which is why they still should be considered favorites to win it all.
World Series Contenders 2023
Houston Astros (+600)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
Playing the long game was likely not the route the Astros wanted to take in 2023, but injuries and production are largely inconsistent predictions. Houston has seen the arrival of multiple young players, as well as continued success from veterans such as José Altuve.
Pitching is the concern — a common theme in baseball. Framber Valdez has been a Cy Young candidate for the majority of the season, but as the “ace" of the staff, has fallen off entering September.
Justin Verlander is pitching well, but he’s clearly not 2022 Cy Young winner good.
Behind those two, it’s dicey. The team ERA is 3.93 — a top-10 mark in MLB — but the Expected Fielder Independent Pitching (xFIP) puts them in line with their 13.3 WAR, which is a more middling metric.
With that said, veteran postseason leadership is something the majority of the AL does not have at Houston’s level, which is a reason to think they can still compete for a championship.
Baltimore Orioles (+900)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
It doesn’t have to make sense, but the expected drop in performance from the rookies and lack of a top-tier starting pitcher has not been an issue in the month since the trade deadline.
What makes sense is that the O’s get it, and by it, I mean winning no matter the method. The biggest concern heading toward the playoffs is Baltimore’s team defense — it’s bad (22nd in defensive WAR). Small blunders can snowball against better defenses and playoff-tested teams.
The total package is promising, and the Orioles are my second favorite team to win the American League.
World Series Long Shot 2023
Seattle Mariners (+1300)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
Seattle’s pitching is so good that even if half of the batting lineup goes 0-for-3, they could still win a game 1-0. Only the Phillies have a better pitching WAR, and the Rays are the only staff with a better xFIP.
The Rangers falling off has opened the door for Seattle to play a home game in the Wild Card round or host a playoff series as AL West champs.
Philadelphia Phillies (+1600)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.2 Units
Among teams on track to make the playoffs, the Phillies have the worst defense (-42.9 defensive WAR), but when your pitching continues to miss bats and the offense is hitting home runs, it is difficult to dismiss the team.
Philly is top 10 in K/9, BB/9, and xFIP, while also being 11th in HR/9 and HR/FB%. That’ll play in the playoffs.
A healthy Bryce Harper has the offense supercharged, while contributions from Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and co. have kept the offense humming for the past six weeks.
Chicago Cubs (+3500)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.1 Units
Did you know the Cubs are top 10 pitching and batting WAR?
Despite not being the odds-on NL Cy Young favorite, Justin Steele is pitching like the best in the Senior Circuit and is backed by homegrown pitchers who are making up for injuries (Marcus Stroman) and poor free-agent signings (Jameson Taillon).
Betting on a Cody Bellinger bounceback has paid off, and the rest of the lineup has been nothing short of solid since June. Chicago is my favorite longshot pick, and it isn’t close.
