The Chicago Cubs have been World Series favorites since spring training, but can they snap a century-old title drought that dates back to 1908? The Boston Red Sox used a late surge to reclaim the AL East Division crown and will be looking to dash any hopes the Cubs have of winning it all. Here’s a look at the World Series favorites heading into the MLB postseason.
Chicago Cubs (+250)
With a star-studded pitching rotation, a rock-steady bullpen and arguably the best closer in the game, the Cubs enter the 2016 MLB playoffs as the favorites to win it all. Bovada have a +250 line the Cubs will emerge as the World Series winner. All five Cubs starters reached double-digits in victories, four of whom won 15 or more games during the 2016 campaign. The Cubs ranked first in the National League in ERA, allowing just 3.15 runs per game. Several online sportsbooks are offering enticing lines that for the Cubs to win the NLCS Championship, including BetOnline, who peg Chicago at +115 to reach the World Series.
Boston Red Sox (+500)
The American League East Division winners are legitimate World Series contenders. Bet365’s +500 line for the Red Sox to win World Series is a wager worth taking. Boston boasts the top offense heading into the ALDS Championship against the Cleveland Indians. Despite starting on the road, many online sportsbooks — including Bodog — believe this could be a quick best-of-five series. The Red Sox are +450 to sweep the Indians. A more likely scenario, however, is Bodog’s +300 line for the BoSox to advance in four games. When deciding on over/under wagers, keep in mind both the Red Sox and Indians led the MLB in several offensive categories in 2016.
Texas Rangers (+600)
The Rangers’ suspect starting rotation will be an issue in the postseason. Cole Hamels — the team’s ace — is coming off an impressive 15-win season while also leading the Rangers with a 3.32 ERA. However, he had an abysmal start to this series and won’t be back until Game 5, if the series goes that far. The team’s remaining starting pitchers have struggled, with only Martin Perez reaching double digits in victories with 10. The Rangers will have home-field advantage up until the World Series at least. They boast a potent offense that ranked fourth overall in runs batted in with 746. Bet365 is offering a +600 line the Rangers will win their very first World Series crown. Going into their ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays, Bodog has set a +280 line the Rangers will need five games to advance to the next round. The Rangers got worked over in the first game of the ALDS and have a lot of work to do to make up the ground against an exceptional Jays pitching rotation.
Toronto Blue Jays (+625)
The Blue Jays struggled down the stretch of the season but had enough fuel in the tank to earn a wild card berth and secure a spot in the ALDS, where they already have a 1-0 series lead over the Rangers. The Blue Jays drove in 98 runs in September — only the Miami Marlins had fewer in the month. If the Jays want to advance to a second straight ALCS, they’ll need heavy hitters Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion to swing hot bats in October, like they did in Game 1 of the ALDS. Bet365 is offering bettors an appealing +600 line for the Blue Jays to win its first World Series since capturing back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993. Toronto may be the underdog heading into the ALDS, but hold a 5-3 advantage in the last eight games. Look to bet on the Jays to once again upset Texas.
Los Angeles Dodgers (+750)
The NL West Division champion Dodgers’ success in 2016 has been buoyed mostly by a starting rotation that features arguably the best pitcher in the game in Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers pitching staff has been stellar all season long with a combined ERA of 3.70 — good for fifth overall in the big leagues. Kershaw and Co. has held opposing bats to a season average of .233, which ranks second in the MLB, trailing only the Cubs. Bovada have posted a +750 line for the Dodgers to win the World Series — a risky wager considering the team has struggled at the plate in 2016. The pitching can only take the Dodgers so far.
San Francisco Giants (+750)
Regardless of where the Giants sit among the World Series favorites, the club is always a legitimate title contender. The Giants have won three World Series crowns in six years and will surely be in the mix for another championship in 2016. The Giants pitching staff — led by ace Madison Bumgarner — has allowed the fifth least hits all season. Bet365 is offering a +750 line for the Giants to win the World Series. It’ll be a challenge getting through the Cubs in the division championship round, but don’t count them out. It is an even year after all.
Washington Nationals (+800)
The Nationals will have to rely on their solid pitching core and a strong defense in order to go all the way. The Nats ranked second in the MLB, only behind the Cubs, in fewest runs allowed (612). Much of that can be attributed to a Washington rotation that features ace Max Scherzer. The Nats won’t wow you with power, but they’re effective on base. The team ranked sixth in the majors with 121 stolen bags. Bovada pegs the Nats as +800 underdogs to win the World Series — a wager you should avoid unless you’re feeling really brave. Or is it foolhardy?
Cleveland Indians (+900)
The Indians know how to get on base and drive in runs. The AL Central Division champions were fifth in runs with 777 and their 134 stolen bases ranked fourth in the league. Cleveland doesn’t strike out much, which could go a long way for the Tribe in the postseason. Do they have what it takes to pull off an upset against the Red Sox in the ALDS? Online sportsbook Bodog is offering a +450 line for the Indians to eliminate the Red Sox in five games. Bovada also pegs the Indians as +900 underdogs to win outright. We think you should avoid that bet at all costs.
World Series Prediction: Boston Red Sox (+500)
National League Champion: Chicago Cubs (+250)