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Astros vs Braves World Series Odds, Preview, and Prediction

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in MLB Baseball

Updated Oct 24, 2021 · 12:26 AM PDT

Astros celebrate
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve celebrates at the dugout after a home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning in Game 4 of baseball's American League Championship Series Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  • The Houston Astros are the -136 favorites to win the 2021 World Series over the Atlanta Braves
  • Game 1 in this best-of-seven series is slated for Tuesday, October 26
  • Houston most recently won the World Series in 2017. Atlanta’s last World Series victory was in 1995

The Houston Astros were supposedly finished in the American League Championship Series. Everyone figured that the Atlanta Braves were done months ago.

Instead, these two ball clubs will square off in the World Series.

The Braves wrapped up the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday in six games. Houston rallied from a 2-1 series deficit to oust the Boston Red Sox in six games in the ALCS.

It’s Houston’s third World Series appearance in five years and oddsmakers are going with that experience in the World Series odds. The Astros are set as the -136 betting choice to win the Fall Classic.

Astros vs Braves World Series Odds

Team Moneyline
Atlanta Braves +116
Houston Astros -136

Odds as of October 24th at FanDuel.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is set for Tuesday at 8:09pm ET at Minute Maid Park. FOX is carrying the broadcast.

Braves New World

The Braves are like Dante, the forlorn convenience store clerk in filmmaker Kevin Smith’s cult classic Clerks. They aren’t even supposed to be here today.

It was thought to be over for Atlanta when NL MVP favorite Ronald Acuna Jr was lost for the season to a torn ACL. If that wasn’t enough, Mike Soroka, ace of the starting rotation, suffered an Achilles injury. Outfielder Marcell Ozuna was placed on MLB administrative leave due to a domestic assault investigation.

Atlanta’s 88 victories are the fewest of any MLB playoff team. It’s been a season of rallying for the Braves. On June 16, Atlanta was 30-35 and eight games out of the NL East lead. As late as July 28, the Braves were still six games back of top spot. They didn’t end up gaining sole possession of first place in the NL East until August 15.

In the playoffs, they were overcoming the loss of outfielder Jorge Soler to COVID-19. Outfielder Eddie Rosario is doing his best Mr October impersonation. Rosario is batting .474 with three homers and 11 RBI.

Odds on Astros

It’s an odd-numbered year and that’s always bringing good news for the Astros. Houston won the 2017 World Series over the Dodgers. In 2019, the Astros were beaten by the Washington Nationals in the World Series.

Down 2-1 to the Red Sox in the ALCS, Houston didn’t just win three games in a row. The Astros absolutely batted Boston into submission.

In those three games, Houston outscored the BoSox 23-3. It’s their explosive offense that makes the Astros such a dangerous foe.

Astros vs Braves World Series Pick

Logic says go with the experience. The Astros have been there and done that. With players like Jose Alture, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and Michael Brantley, nothing is going to be able to rattle this team.

They also hold home-field advantage. Considering that four of the past seven World Series went the distance, that’s not something to take lightly.

It’s been so long since the Braves went to the World Series, they beat the Astros in the playoffs along the way. That’s because it was in 1999, when Houston was still playing in the NL. Atlanta hasn’t won the World Series since 1995.

Still, there’s just something about riding a hot hand. Team of destiny is a phrase that’s as overworked in sports as Joe Buck. Nonetheless, the Braves hold a significant edge in pitching. They can open the series with the 1-2 punch of Max Fried and Charlie Morton.

Pick: Atlanta Braves (+116)

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