The first half of the 2021 Major League Baseball season was full of promise and in some cases, sheer disappointment. With the All-Star Game now behind us, many of the top teams in baseball will make a push to solidify their spot in the postseason with just over two months to play. The updated World Series odds feature some familiar faces and some emerging clubs that have surged up the leaderboard during the first half. It's time to break down the World Series odds and make a prediction and pick as we head into the second half of the MLB season.
2021 MLB World Series Odds
*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +360 | |
| Houston Astros | +600 | |
| Chicago White Sox | +800 | |
| San Diego Padres | +900 | |
| New York Mets | +1000 | |
| Boston Red Sox | +1200 | |
| San Francisco Giants | +1200 | |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +1200 | |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +1400 | |
| New York Yankees | +2000 | |
| Oakland Athletics | +2200 | |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +2200 | |
| Atlanta Braves | +3500 | |
| Cincinnati Reds | +5000 | |
| Cleveland Indians | +6000 | |
| Los Angeles Angels | +6600 | |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +6600 | |
| Seattle Mariners | +6600 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +6600 | |
| Washington Nationals | +6600 | |
| Chicago Cubs | +8000 | |
| Miami Marlins | +25000 | |
| Minnesota Twins | +30000 | |
| Detroit Tigers | +75000 | |
| Kansas City Royals | +75000 | |
| Colorado Rockies | +100000 | |
| Texas Rangers | +200000 | |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +300000 | |
| Baltimore Orioles | +400000 | |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +500000 |
2021 MLB World Series Odds Breakdown
It should come as no surprise to see the Los Angeles Dodgers (+360) sitting at the top of this list. They came into the season as heavy favorite to repeat as World Series champions and played terrific baseball during the first half. Their odds have taken a slight dip because of some rough patches in May and June, but they are still a club with a World Series or bust mentality.
The surging San Francisco Giants (+1200) are the biggest obstacle in the Dodgers' way right now. The Giants are two games ahead of the Dodgers in the NL West and haven't shown signs of slowing down anytime soon.
I'm a bit surprised to see that San Francisco currently has the sixth-best odds of winning the World Series. They are second in Baseball America's most recent Power Rankings and currently have the best record in the entire league. The Giants have all of the tools of a World Series club and have veterans like Buster Posey with championship experience as well. San Francisco is an underappreciated team with great value right now.
If you are a risk-taker who likes to take a wild card with an outside chance, I have the perfect team for you. It was just two years ago that we saw this same team in a very similar spot at the All-Star break. The Washington Nationals (+6600) had a horrible start to the season back in 2019 as well and never looked back after going on a 28-11 run heading into the break. We all know how that story ended. If you believe in the saying “history repeats itself,” take a good long look at the Nationals right now. Washington is six games back in the NL East with a 40-38 record, which is sure to improve in the second half.
Switching over to the American League, I have my eyes set on one team. The Houston Astros (+600) seem to be in a league of their own this season. The Astros are third in Baseball America's Power Rankings with a 48-33 record at the break. Houston is such a promising club because of the lack of real competition in the American League right now. The New York Yankees are absolutely broken and the Tampa Bay Rays recently lost their ace for a while, which has had an immediate impact on their success. Boston (+1200) has been a great story, but they lack the pitching depth to really compete in October. The Chicago White Sox (+800) are the only other real threat in the American League, but Houston has the edge in experience and, more importantly, durability.
2021 MLB World Series Prediction
I am going to pick the Houston Astros to win the World Series. The Dodgers are arguably the more talented team, but they will have a much more difficult road to the World Series this season. The National League is loaded with numerous teams capable of knocking them off in the postseason. The Astros, on the other hand, should have an easier road to the World Series. Houston has been the best offensive team in the league by a mile, and the young pitching staff has been dominant as well. They are a complete club with experience and a chip on their shoulder after that whole cheating scandal. I believe that the Houston Astros will win an honest World Series title in 2021.
Final World Series Prediction & Pick: Houston Astros +600
Follow Us
Subscribe