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2018 MLB & World Series Props & Predictions: All in One Place

Sascha Paruk

by Sascha Paruk in MLB Baseball

Updated Apr 9, 2018 · 12:48 PM PDT

Houston's Jose Altuve and Yuri Gurriel high-fiving
Jose Altuve (27) and Yuri Gurriel (10) will be key members of the Atros' quest to repeat as World Series champions. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) [CC License].

Now mere days away from the start of the 2018 MLB season, we are starting to get a clearer picture of opening-day rosters and where the balance of power will lie.

All offseason, we have been setting early odds on the biggest questions heading into the year — like whether Tim Tebow will ever crack the big-leagues, who will win the major awards, and where the best remaining free agents (and there are a lot of them) will sign. Now we’re bringing everything together under one roof with a brand-new mega-list of 2018 MLB odds and props.

Below, we cover everything from the Fall Classic to the MVPs, from managers on the hot seat to free-agent signings. We also dive into the most trendy team (surprise, it’s the Yankees!) and player (Japanese import Shohei Otani).

If you disagree with any of our numbers, or would just like to know the rationale behind our calculations, hit us up in the comments section or reach out on Facebook or Twitter. Let’s get to it.

2018 World Series Odds

Can anyone dethrone the Astros and Dodgers in their respective leagues? The Nationals have arguably the best starting rotation in the majors, plus a line-up led by MVP favorite Bryce Harper (see below for more on that). In the AL, the still up-and-coming Yankees made several nice additions, including reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. Very few baseballs in the Bronx will still have covers by season’s end.

Team 2018 World Series Odds
Houston Astros 7/1
LA Dodgers 8/1
New York Yankees 9/1
Chicago Cubs 12/1
Cleveland Indians 14/1
Washington Nationals 15/1
Boston Red Sox 17/1
St Louis Cardinals 20/1
San Francisco Giants 20/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 25/1
Los Angeles Angels 27/1
Milwaukee Brewers 30/1
New York Mets 33/1
Minnesota Twins 35/1
Seattle Mariners 40/1
Colorado Rockies 40/1
Toronto Blue Jays 40/1
Texas Rangers 100/1
Tampa Bay Rays 100/1
Baltimore Orioles 100/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 100/1
Philadelphia Phillies 100/1
Chicago White Sox 150/1
Kansas City Royals 150/1
Atlanta Braves 150/1
San Diego Padres 150/1
Oakland Athletics 200/1
Cincinnati Reds 300/1
Detroit Tigers 500/1
Miami Marlins 1000/1

 

2018 World Series Matchup Odds

It’s not quite as likely as the three straight Warriors/Cavaliers matchups we’ve witnessed in the NBA, but a rematch of the 2017 World Series is still the most likely outcome.

Team 2018 World Series Odds
Dodgers vs Astros 17/1
Dodgers vs Yankees 21/1
Astros vs Cubs 25/1
Nationals vs Astros 31/1
Yankees vs Cubs 32/1
Dodgers vs Indians 33/1
 Nationals vs Yankees   39/1
Cubs vs Indians 47/1
All Los Angeles Series: Dodgers vs Angels 62/1
All New York Series: Mets vs Yankees 85/1
All DC/Maryland Series: Nationals vs Orioles 400/1
All Chicago Series: Cubs vs White Sox 450/1
All Missouri Series: Cardinals vs Royals 750/1
All Bay Area Series: Giants vs Athletics 1,050/1
All Ohio Series: Indians vs Reds 1,240/1
All Florida Series: Marlins vs Rays 99,999/1

 

2018 NL MVP Odds

Washington center fielder Bryce Harper
Can Washington center fielder Bryce Harper win his second NL MVP award and first since 2015? Photo by Johnmaxmena2 [CC License]
Player (Team) MVP Odds
Bryce Harper (Nationals) 9/2
Paul Goldschmidt (Diamondbacks) 5/1
Nolan Arenado (Rockies) 6/1
Kris Bryant (Cubs) 8/1
Joey Votto (Reds) 9/1
Corey Seager (Dodgers) 14/1
Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)   20/1
Anthony Rizzo (Cubs) 22/1
Freddie Freeman (Braves) 30/1
FIELD 15/2

2018 AL MVP Odds

LA Angels' Mike Trout warming up
The Angels’ Mike Trout has already won two AL MVP awards (2014, 2016) and finished second three more times in his seven-year career. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) [CC License].
Player (Team) MVP Odds
Mike Trout (Angels) 4/1
Jose Altuve (Astros) 5/1
Giancarlo Stanton (Yankees) 7/1
Jose Ramirez (Indians) 8/1
Aaron Judge (Yankees) 10/1
Carlos Correa (Astros) 12/1
Mookie Betts (Red Sox) 15/1
Francisco Lindor (Indians) 20/1
Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays) 25/1
Manny Machado (Orioles) 30/1
FIELD 20/1

2018 NL Rookie of the Year Odds

Marlins prospect Lewis Brinson takes a lead at first
Will rookie SS Lewis Brinson bring a silver lining to what will surely be a disastrous year for the Marlins? Photo by EricEnfermero (wikipedia) [CC License].
Player (Team) ROY Odds
Ronald Acuna (Braves) 3/1
Lewis Brinson (Marlins) 6/1
Victor Robles (Nationals) 7/1
FIELD 15/14

 

2018 AL Rookie of the Year Odds

NY Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge swinging the bat
Can 2017 winner Aaron Judge repeat as AL Rookie of the Year? If you don’t get that joke, you should probably read our beginner’s guide to MLB betting. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) [CC License].
Player (Team) ROY Odds
Willie Calhoun (Rangers) 5/1
Willy Adames (Rays) 6/1
Franklin Barreto (A’s) 15/2
Shohei Ohtani (Angels) 9/1
FIELD 11/10

2018 NL Cy Young Odds

Clayton Kershaw (pictured) and Max Scherzer have each won three Cy Young awards. Will either become the fifth pitcher ever to win four? Photo by Arturo Pardavila III (flickr) [CC License].
Player (Team) Cy Young Odds
Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) 2/1
Max Scherzer (Nationals) 4/1
Stephen Strasburg (Nationals) 5/1
Zack Greinke (Diamondbacks) 8/1
Yu Darvish (Cubs) 10/1
FIELD 9/1

2018 AL Cy Young Odds

The Indians' Corey Kluber delivers a pitch
Cleveland’s Corey Kluber (pictured) used a strong second half to scoop the 2017 Cy Young award from Chris Sale. Photo by Arturo Pardavila III (flickr) [CC License].
Player (Team) Cy Young Odds
Chris Sale (Red Sox) 3/1
Corey Kluber (Indians) 7/2
Luis Severino (Yankees) 9/2
Dallas Keuchel (Astros) 7/1
Marcus Stroman (Blue Jays) 11/1
FIELD 6/1

First Manager Fired

Rays manager Kevin Cash
He’s not being given much to work with, but Tampa manager Kevin Cash still might take the heat if the Rays start slowly. Photo by Arturo Pardavila III (flickr) [CC License].
Manager (Team) Odds
Kevin Cash (Rays) 2/1
Don Mattingly (Marlins) 7/2
Bob Melvin (A’s) 9/2
Clint Hurdle (Pirates) 7/1
Scott Servais (Mariners) 11/1
Ned Yost (Royals) 11/1
Andy Green (Padres) 13/1
Bryan Price (Reds): 13/1
Buck Showalter (Orioles) 15/1
Josh Gibbons (Blue Jays) 15/1

Odds To Remain Unsigned As Of May 1, 2018

Jake Arrieta pitching with the Cubs
There’s no way Jake Arrieta doesn’t find a home before the season, right? Photo by Arturo Pardavila III (Flickr) [CC License].
Free Agent Odds
Jonathan Lucroy 10/1
Greg Holland 18/1
Carlos Gonzalez 20/1
 Lance Lynn 50/1
 Alex Cobb 50/1
 Mike Moustakas 75/1
 Jake Arrieta 100/1

Odds To Be Traded During 2018 Season

NY Mets starter Matt Harvey delivers a pitch
If the Mets aren’t winning, will they try to deal Matt Harvey and start a rebuild? Photo by Arturo Pardavila III (Wikimedia Commons).
Player (Team) Odds
Zach Britton (Orioles) 1/1
Matt Harvey (Mets) 5/2
Manny Machado (Orioles) 7/1
Adam Jones (Orioles) 11/1
 Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays) 22/1
 Bryce Harper (Nationals) 30/1

Team Props

White Sox manager Rick Renteria talks with the umpires
There were no 100-loss teams in the MLB in 2017, but Rick Renteria’s White Sox will give that number a run this year, along with the Marlins and Tigers. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) [CC License].
Proposition Odds
Over/Under: number of 100-win teams 1.5
Over/Under: number of 100-loss teams 2.5
Yankees break single-season home-run record (264 by 1997 Mariners) 3/2
Marlins break single-season record for losses in modern era (120 by 1962 Mets) 11/1
A team goes from worst to first in its division 75/1
 Average game-length gets shorter in 2018 vs 2017 1/3

Player/Manager Props

Albert Pujols of the LA Angels warming up
Albert Pujols will become the latest member of the 3,000-hit club this season, barring injury. Photo by Keith Allison (flickr) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/].
Proposition Odds
At least one first-year manager is fired before end of 2018 season 75/1
Over/Under: when  Albert Pujols joins 3,000-hit club May 10
Over/Under: number of 50-homer players 3.5
Over/Under: combined Stanton/Judge home runs 95.5
Over/Under: combined Stanton/Judge strikeouts 355.5
Over/Under: number of MLB at bats for David Wright 0.5
CC Sabbathia reaches 3,000 strikeouts in 2018 15/1
Jason Hayward opts out of his contract 10,000/1

Odds To Lead Yankees In Home Runs

Giancarlo Stanton bats during the home run derby
Newest Yankee Giancarlo Stanton (pictured) and 2017 Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge will form the most potent 1-2 punch in the bigs. By Arturo Pardavila III (Wiki Commons) CC License.
Player Odds
Giancarlo Stanton 3/2
Aaron Judge 7/3
Gary Sanchez 4/1
Greg Bird 12/1
FIELD 49/1

Shohei Ohtani Odds

Proposition Odds
Ohtani hits a home run before recording a win 3/2
 Ohtani pitches a no-hitter in 2018 75/1
 Ohtani hits a home run and records a win in the same game 18/1
 Ohtani HRs + hits is greater than wins + innings pitches 3/1

 

A Little Levity

Jennifer Lopez performing in Brazil
Of all the odds in this article, we’re least confident in our calculations on J-Lo’s and A-Rod’s relationship future. Photo by Ana Carolina Kley Vita (Wikimedia Commons) [CC License].
Proposition Odds
Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez announce their engagement before the end of the 2018 season 1/2
Marlin Man and Derek Jeter have a public reconciliation 50/1
Home run sculpture at Marlins Park is removed during 2018 season 2/1

 

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