Astros Take Red Sox Title of World Series Favorite After Division Series
- Astros Climb to Top of World Series Odds after Sweeping Cleveland in ALDS
- Red Sox Put Brakes on Late-Season Swoon with ALDS Win over Yankees
- Longshot Brewers Ride 11-game Win Streak into NLCS Clash with Dodgers
The Houston Astros made short work of the Cleveland Indians in their ALDS clash, outscoring The Tribe by a 21-6 overall margin on their way to a three-game sweep.
The defending champions have been rewarded at online sports betting sites, where they have moved past the Boston Red Sox as +210 favorites on the 2018 World Series odds.
2018 World Series Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros | +210 |
| Boston Red Sox | +215 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +333 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +375 |
After opening the campaign as favorites on the MLB futures, the Astros eventually found themselves looking up at the Red Sox after faltering during a 2-8 run in early August.
However, Houston has looked in championship form since the beginning of September, going 24-6 in their past 30 outings, capped by their lopsided series sweep of Cleveland.
These @Astros #NeverSettle.
They are going back to the #ALCS. pic.twitter.com/0mijPNzmlP
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2018
Red Sox Shake Off Recent Postseason Upsets with ALDS Win over Yankees
While the Red Sox have managed to shake off their recent postseason struggles with their ALDS series win over the New York Yankees, it remains to be seen whether the back-to-back-to-back AL East champions have put their recent September swoon behind them.
They prepare to open their ALCS clash with the Astros at Fenway Park on Saturday as narrow -120 favorites for Game 1.
The Red Sox entered the postseason atop the World Series odds, despite closing out their regular-season schedule on a 5-7 run, marking the third straight year in which they struggled down the stretch.
The Red Sox have gone 6-11 in their past 17 meetings [with the Astros]
In addition, Boston has struggled when facing the Astros in recent years. The Red Sox have gone 6-11 in their past 17 meetings, including a 3-1 series loss to Houston in last year’s ALDS. This makes them a risky pick to get past the defending champions, let alone claim their first World Series victory since 2013.
Dodgers Aim for Second Straight World Series Berth
Over in the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to punch their ticket to the World Series for a second straight year. They open their NLCS series with the Milwaukee Brewers as a -170 favorite on the MLB series prices.
NLCS. Game 3. Dodger Stadium. Be here.
?: https://t.co/lOkjtIfdp6 pic.twitter.com/ywXzA3UWBN
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 10, 2018
The Dodgers have been forced to settle for the role of proverbial bridesmaid during their six-year reign atop the NL West. After making early exits in the postseason in four straight years, Los Angeles returned to the World Series a year ago, coming within one win of their first championship pennant since 1988.
After overcoming a shaky start, the Dodgers climbed back to their familiar perch this season, leading the NL in runs scored, home runs, and team ERA, and sat alongside the Atlanta Braves with an NL-best 47-34 road record.
Los Angeles ended the Braves’ season with relative ease, holding Atlanta hitters to just eight total runs in their four-game NLDS win, and have only lost consecutive games on one occasion during their current 17-5 run.
But despite their current tear, and solid postseason experience, the Dodgers trail both AL teams with average World Series odds of +310.
Brewers Tear Fueled by Impressive Defense
Most likely overlooked by sports bettors picking early winners this season, the Milwaukee Brewers enter their first NLCS since 2011, riding an 11-game win streak, including a thrilling 3-1 win over Chicago Cubs in their NL Central tiebreaker.
And they may present the best value of the four MLB teams left standing, pegged at +410 to win the World Series.
Brewers' hot streak summed up in 4 tweets: A week ago, the Milwaukee Brewers were entering a Game 163 tiebreaker against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. https://t.co/jf3D5iQh3k
— Kona Nature Tours (@KonaNatureTours) October 8, 2018
Listed as a distant +2300 World Series bet as recently as August 31, the Brewers emerged as one of baseball’s hottest teams down the stretch, going 28-10 since putting the brakes on a dismal 5-10 run in mid-August.
The Brewers are pegged as +140 underdogs on the MLB series prices, despite going 6-5 in their past 11 meetings with Los Angeles. Milwaukee has played outstanding defense of late, limiting opponents to two or fewer runs in six of their past eight overall outings, including each of their wins in their NLDS sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
