LA Dodgers
The Dodgers sit three games ahead of the San Diego Padres in the National League West and sit at a deserving World Series favorite if you’re simply just looking at their roster. However, Los Angeles has dealt with a ton of injuries this season. Tyler Glasnow has a sprained elbow and will miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs, which is a massive blow for the Dodgers. Glasnow was their ace all year long. Clayton Kershaw meanwhile is hurt again, but Tony Gonsolin is expected to return before the regular season concludes.
Offensively, Shohei Ohtani is enjoying a historic campaign and has already surpassed the 50/50 mark. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Will Smith have all been swinging it well, too. I think LA’s World Series aspirations will depend on how consistent they are on the mound. The Dodgers sit at +325 odds at Sports Interaction.
NY Yankees
On both sides of the ball, the Yankees are one of the best ball clubs in the big leagues. Aaron Judge has smacked 55 homers and counting and will undoubtedly win American League MVP. The slugger is slashing .323 and also has 138 RBI. Surprisingly enough, New York’s rotation has been thriving, even without Gerrit Cole at his best. They own a 3.68 ERA, which ranks fifth in the MLB. The bullpen is also relatively solid. The Bronx Bombers are battling it out with the Orioles for the AL East title, sitting six games above them. NY has already clinched a playoff berth and has the second-best World Series odds at most baseball betting sites.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have been a contender for a few years now, making the World Series in 2022 and losing in the NLCS last season to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Philadelphia also turns up and performs in the playoffs and if their regular season is any indication, we could see a lot of the same. The Phils own a 92-64 record and look well on their way to the NL East title. Philadelphia is top-10 in the bigs both offensively and defensively. This entire roster has ample postseason experience and we know the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park in October is hard to beat. Philly cannot be overlooked as a World Series contender.
Houston Astros
Sure, the Astros haven’t had the most dominant season, but their history of playoff success is second to none. Houston won the Fall Classic in 2017 and 2022 and lost in the World Series in 2019 and 2021. In other words, the Astros are almost always in the mix in late October. At 85-71, Houston is en route to another AL West title and still has numerous players from their best days, including Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, and Justin Verlander. You cannot overlook the Astros.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are an exciting team that will be good for a long time. The question is, can they get over the playoff hump? Baltimore was fantastic last year yet lost in the Wild Card to the eventual champion Texas Rangers. The O’s do have a legitimate ace now though in Corbin Burnes while Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Ryan Mountcastle, among others, have been swinging it well.
