World Series Odds, Picks, Predictions: Don't Overlook Nice Price on the Mets

As the MLB postseason begins, we have a strong opinion about a team from New York, which may not be the one you were expecting. In this article, we will examine the movements in the odds to win the World Series and determine which picks are worth investing in.

The MLB postseason is finally here, and we now know exactly which path each team must take in order to win the World Series. It may have been crushing for New York Mets fans when the Atlanta Braves stole the NL East title in the final week of the season, but this is providing bettors with a very favorable price point. 

When it comes to playing futures markets, the when is just as important as the who. It is seldom a secret who to bet on in any sport, however, timing the when is the key to maximizing your portfolio of futures bets.

Below, we track the movement in the MLB futures odds with our top picks for the 2022 World Series.

World Series Odds

2022 World Series Best Bets

• New York Mets (+1000 via BetRivers)

World Series Picks: Favorites

Dodgers (+360 via PointsBet)

As a result of their 111 wins during the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers earned the No. 1 seed in the National League postseason bracket. Despite holding the top spot, I would not say the Dodgers have an easier path because they will play the winner of the San Diego Padres and New York Mets Wild Card Series.

At the beginning of the season, the Dodgers were given odds of +550 to win the World Series. 111 wins later, we see them trading roughly two dollars shorter at +360, a price point they have maintained for some time.

Is it worthwhile to invest in the Dodgers at +360? In my opinion, they should be trading closer to +500. Since the Dodgers are unlikely to sweep their way to a World Series victory, I would purchase their futures odds the second they show any vulnerability. 

Astros (+425 via DraftKings)

When the season began, I was not a huge Houston Astros fan, but boy did they prove me wrong. The Astros won 106 games and have two Cy Young-caliber pitchers at the front of their starting rotation in Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez.

Houston will play the winner of the Wild Card Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. The odds of the Astros winning the World Series are a little lower than I expected, but not by much. The Astros would definitely be my choice if I had to bet on the New York Yankees or the Astros.

Yankees (+550 via DraftKings)

I was a huge backer of the Yankees during the regular season and they cashed a number of futures tickets for me, most notably a +200 bet to win the AL East. Unfortunately, I prefer the Yankees as a regular season team rather than a postseason team. No matter if they play the Tampa Bay Rays or the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS, I will probably be backing their opponent. 

Braves (+600 via Caesars)

After stealing the NL East from the Mets in the final week of the season, the Braves arguably have an easier path to the NLCS than the Dodgers as the No. 1 seed. Personally, I will not be betting on the Braves to win the World Series at +600, but I have no objection to anyone who does. I believe the Braves' price is in line with what you would expect. 

World Series Picks: Contenders

Mets (+1000 via BetRivers)

A choked NL East lead in the final week of the season sent the Mets to the Wild Card Round and a three-game series against the Padres. It is for this reason that the Mets are now trading at a price point of +1000 to win the World Series, while they were consistently trading in the +400 to +500 range prior to this.

Obviously, their path is not an easy one, but any team where I can get Edwin Diaz as my closer and Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom at the front of my rotation at a price point of +1000, I would bet on them to win the World Series. It is a great price for the Mets, who are capable of beating anyone. 

Blue Jays (+1800 via Caesars)

The last time I attended a Toronto Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Jose Bautista flipped his bat against the Texas Rangers. Rogers Centre is unlikely to be that loud this postseason, but the Blue Jays will definitely have the home-field advantage when they host the Seattle Mariners.

Once again, you are seeing a fair price here for the Blue Jays at +1800. If you believe the Blue Jays can eliminate the Mariners, as I do, then this might be a price point you should take advantage of before it begins to shorten. 

Cardinals (+2200 via DraftKings)

There is no doubt that the St. Louis Cardinals have some of the most impactful bats in the postseason in Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, but for me, the postseason is all about pitching. This season, the Cardinals' pitching accumulated an fWAR of 13.3, which ranks dead last among all postseason teams. As a result of their pitching, I consider the Cardinals to be a major fade at +2200. A seven-game series, such as the NLCS or the World Series, will expose this weakness. 

Mariners (+3000 via DraftKings)

Although the Mariners broke a 21-year drought by making the playoffs, I'm not sure they'll even get to host a game in Seattle.

Even if the Mariners survive the Wild Card Series, and that's a big if, they don't have the pitching to contend for the World Series. As with the Cardinals, they would be exposed in a seven-game series. One of the major advantages for the Mariners is that they would only have to face the Astros in a five-game series rather than a seven-game series.

It is important to note that, when discussing the pricing of their odds, the +3000 is actually higher than what the Mariners should be trading at, and this represents a very valuable number. Despite the fact that the numbers are on your side, the human element of me simply does not see the Mariners winning the World Series. 

Padres (+3000 via FanDuel)

From a pricing perspective, the Mets and Padres appear to be the two teams that offer the most value. Unfortunately, they will be playing each other in the Wild Card Round.

I believe you are seeing a situation where a date with the Dodgers in the NLDS has caused their odds to be significantly higher than they should be. While they will play the Dodgers in the second round, it is essential to remember that it is a five-game series. Would you prefer to play the Dodgers in a five-game NLDS or a seven-game NLCS?

In my opinion, the +3000 price is an excellent one, as they should be trading closer to +1900. Although I will not be purchasing this ticket because I would prefer the Mets at +1000, there is value in this ticket if you are a Padres fan or backer. 

Rays (+3000 via Caesars)

When buying futures for the Rays, you never have to be early to the party. Because they consistently generate little to no liability for the sportsbooks, oddsmakers are always slow to move the line. Before the postseason begins, I would not recommend buying any Rays World Series odds. You will still be able to find a good price on the Rays before the Division Series even if they advance out of the Wild Card Round. 

Phillies (+3500 via Caesars)

It is my firm belief that the Philadelphia Phillies will cause the Cardinals problems in the Wild Card Round, since it will only be a three-game series, and the Phillies will be able to start Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola in the first and second games, respectively. Now, whether the Phillies can get past the Braves in the NLDS is another matter. While I do not dislike the Phillies' pricing, I believe you are getting better value on the other side of the bracket with the Mets and Padres. 

Guardians (+3500 via Caesars)

Throughout the entire season, I did not believe in the Guardians and placed a wager on them to go under their win total. You have to admit when you are wrong, and I might have misread this team.

Regardless of whether it is the Rays or the Guardians, I believe either team will give the Yankees fits in the ALDS and ultimately eliminate them. I will not be betting on the Guardians to win the World Series, but rather I will be buying their series price against the Yankees if they make it there. 

Where to Bet on the World Series

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

• FanDuel Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• PointsBet
• BetMGM