MLB Postseason: Houston Astros Emerge as World Series Favorites
The 2023 MLB postseason has been nothing short of a wild ride. From unexpected upsets to dominant performances, this year’s playoffs have kept fans on the edge of their seats. As the League Championship Series (LCS) gets underway, one team has emerged as the betting favorite to win the World Series – the Houston Astros.
The Wild Card Series came and went in a flash, with four teams sweeping their opponents in two games. Then, in the Division Series, three teams that had each won 100 games or more in the regular season – the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles – were upset, winning only one postseason game combined. Surprisingly, none of the four teams in the LCS won more than 90 games in the regular season.
After all the chaos, the Houston Astros have risen to the top as the favorites to win it all. According to BetMGM, the Astros have the best odds to win the World Series. However, they are closely followed by the Philadelphia Phillies, who have also been impressive this postseason.
Let’s take a closer look at the current World Series odds:
2023 World Series Odds:
– Houston Astros: The Astros, despite winning only 84 games in the regular season, have been dominant in the playoffs. They are currently 5-0 and have shown no signs of slowing down. As a result, they are favored to win it all.
– Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies have been a force to be reckoned with this postseason. Led by superstar Bryce Harper, who has been on fire with three home runs and a 1.381 OPS in six playoff games, the Phillies are a strong contender for the World Series title.
– Arizona Diamondbacks: Despite their impressive 5-0 record this postseason, the Diamondbacks remain the longshot to win the World Series. With only 84 wins in the regular season, they face an uphill battle against the other teams.
– Texas Rangers: The Rangers, who come in third in the odds, are much closer to the top than the Diamondbacks. With a strong lineup and solid pitching, they have a legitimate chance to make a deep playoff run.
American League Pennant Odds:
In the all-Texas ALCS, the Astros are favored to come out on top. Yordan Alvarez, who has been a standout player for the Astros this postseason, enters the series as the favorite to be named ALCS MVP. However, he faces tough competition from teammates Kyle Tucker, Jose Altuve, and Alex Bregman.
This is the first time the two Texas teams have met in the postseason. During the regular season, the Astros won the head-to-head series 9-4. While the Rangers have never won a World Series, the Astros have been a consistent presence in the playoffs in recent years. They have made it to the last seven ALCS and have a 4-2 record in those series.
National League Pennant Odds:
The Phillies are considered a sizable favorite in the NLCS against the Diamondbacks. Bryce Harper has been on fire this postseason, but he’s not the only one contributing to the Phillies’ success. Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos have also posted impressive numbers with OPSs north of 1.400.
Harper is the favorite to win NLCS MVP, but he faces competition from Corbin Carroll, Turner, and Castellanos.
As the LCS continues, fans can expect more thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes. The MLB postseason is known for its unpredictability, and this year is no different. Whether it’s the Astros or another team that ultimately lifts the World Series trophy, one thing is for sure – baseball fans are in for an exciting conclusion to the 2023 season.
(Photo: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)