Dodgers, Astros atop World Series odds at all-star break

At the all-star break, the value on the World Series odds board might lie with teams that have an inside track to winning a division.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set as the +350 favorite on the latest 2021 World Series odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The top of the board also includes the Houston Astros (+500), San Diego Padres (+700), Chicago White Sox (+700), New York Mets (+900), Boston Red Sox (+1000), San Francisco Giants (+1000), Milwaukee Brewers (+1200), and Tampa Bay Rays (+1200) (how sports betting works).

The Dodgers, who are attempting to become MLB’s first repeat champion since 2000, have the lowest earned-run average in baseball and a deep offensive lineup that has covered for a slow start by former National League MVP Cody Bellinger. One issue is the potential loss of righthanded pitcher Trevor Bauer, who is facing a domestic violence investigation.

Los Angeles is in a tight three-way NL West race with San Diego and San Francisco.  The Giants could be the value play due to pitching and hitting depth. They have MLB’s second-lowest staff ERA and have hit the most home runs in MLB even though Brandon Crawford is the only regular with more than 12. The Padres did get a taste of the postseason in 2020, and have the best relief ERA in MLB, but the fact that their bullpen has logged the most innings might be a red flag.

Houston boasts the highest-scoring offense in MLB, and has proven they can score enough in October to offset any pitching deficiencies. That narrative might be taking shape again with the Astros ranking 17th in MLB in relief ERA.

Three other teams that might be a value play are the Mets, White Sox and Brewers.

The Mets, led by Jacob deGrom, have the fourth-best ERA in MLB. New York is the only NL East team with a winning record, and rival Atlanta has been set back by a season-ending injury to star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.

The White Sox have been able to hold on to their AL Central lead in spite of injuries, and Lance Lynn and Carlos Rodón give their pitching staff a 1-2 punch.

Milwaukee’s small-market status might keep the Brewers below the radar of casual bettors. The Brewers only have a midlevel offense, but as a team with six pitchers who average at least 10 strikeouts per nine innings, including starters Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff and closer Josh Hader, they could be a tough team in the playoffs.

The young Toronto Blue Jays (+2200) are definitely a darkhorse at online betting sites. Toronto, thanks largely to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., has an elite offense but a shaky bullpen might hold the Blue Jays back from making a deep run.