MLB Playoff Odds & Favorites 2026: Preseason Picks With Spring Training Games Approaching

The two-time reigning champions and World Series odds favorites, the Los Angeles Dodgers, headline the MLB playoff odds for the 2026 season, and trio of powerhouse teams from the AL and NL East follow them, including the team they faced in the Fall Classic, the Toronto Blue Jays.

We're looking further down the MLB playoff oddsboard to deliver our three best postseason picks with spring training games nearly underway. For a more detailed look at when the action begins, check out our 2026 MLB schedule and key dates breakdown.

🔢 MLB playoff odds 2026

MLB playoff odds from our best best sports betting sites.

🧑‍🏫 MLB playoff odds 2026: Best bets

We've used the latest 2026 standings projections to deliver our three best picks to make the postseason. For a closer look at that data, head to our MLB projected win totals and Over/Under wins odds.

🪃 Orioles (+100)

The Orioles are looking to put the 2025 season in the rearview. They finished last in the AL East, and dealt with injury issues all season to both the rotation and the lineup.

Baltimore will look to get better luck in the health department in 2026, but that's not the only reason I like this team. The Orioles added Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Chris Bassitt in free agency this offseason, and they traded for Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, and Blaze Alexander.

The Orioles reportedly aren't satisfied, as they're still looking to move Mountcastle, and that's a big reason why I like this team. It has the look of an organization that understands it needs to take advantage of this competitive window.

I discussed why star shortstop Gunnar Henderson is one of 10 MLB players to watch this season 2026, and I think he can lead this team back to the postseason as an AL MVP candidate.

📈 Royals (+160)

These +160 odds carry an implied probability of just 38.46% that the Royals will make the playoffs, but PECOTA projects the Royals to win the division, with a 59% chance of making the postseason. Those numbers speak for themselves.

Kansas City rosters a perennial AL MVP candidate in Bobby Witt Jr., a bona fide ace and AL Cy Young contender in Cole Ragans, and among a group of power-hitting, base-stealing studs in the lineup is one of the MLB rookies to know before spring training 2026, Carter Jensen.

I already bet this myself for a full unit, and I suggest you do the same before the best sports betting apps realize the Royals are much closer to the Tigers in the AL Central than they're giving them credit for.

🏴‍☠️ Pirates (+425)

I'm all-in on the Pirates this season. One of the first futures bets I made this year was on them to go Over their win total, I featured two of their players in my look at the most exciting MLB rookies, and if you've read my World Baseball Classic betting guide, you know I bet on Team USA to win the tournament, with a big reason being that it rosters the one and only, Paul Skenes.

We might be a year too early on this one, but that's also why the odds are as long as they are. This +425 price suggests the Pirates have just a 19% chance of making the postseason, while PECOTA has that number at 26.6% and FanGraphs is even more optimistic at 42.4%.

Between some really intriguing offseason additions and the potential ascension to stardom for rookies Bubba Chandler and Konnor Griffin, the Pirates may suddenly be one of baseball's more fun teams to watch in 2026.

❓ MLB playoff odds FAQs

What team is the biggest favorite to make the MLB playoffs in 2026?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are massive favorites to make the 2026 MLB playoffs with odds of -5000.

What team is the biggest long shot to make the MLB playoffs in 2026?

The Colorado Rockies are the biggest long shots to make the 2026 MLB playoffs with odds of +4000.

Which teams made the posteason last year?

The Blue Jays, Mariners, Tigers, Guardians, Yankees Red Sox, Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers, Reds, Padres, and Cubs made the postseason in 2025.

Which team won the the last World Series?

The Dodgers won the World Series in 2025.

🏟️ MLB betting odds pages