Astros’ World Series Odds Listed at +140 After Advancing to ALCS
- Houston consolidated its status as World Series favorites with decisive ALDS Game 5 win over Tampa Bay
- Both the Astros and Yankees have considerably shorter odds than the Nationals and Cardinals
- Which team stands out as the best value heading into the LCS?
After punching their ticket to the ALCS for a third straight year, the Houston Astros remain atop the World Series odds, leading the way as short +140 favorites.
2019 World Series Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros | +140 |
| New York Yankees | +250 |
| Washington Nationals | +400 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +500 |
*Odds taken on 10/11/19.
Astros Slam the Door on Rays
The Astros needed a full five games to claim victory over Tampa Bay in the ALDS, but slammed the door on the Rays with a decisive 6-1 victory in Game 5 on Thursday night as short -260 favorites. Houston now has little time to rest as they prepare to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the ALCS on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.
Despite being pushed to the brink by the pesky Rays, the Astros have continued to remain steady as World Series favorites throughout the postseason.
.@ajhinch talks to the team in the clubhouse after the @astros take Game 5…. and let the celebration begin!!#TakeItBack #WePlayLoud pic.twitter.com/SM1GWrG0VZ
— AT&T SportsNet SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) October 11, 2019
Indeed, Houston has been pegged as the World Series favorite for most of the second half of the season. The Astros’ climb to the top of the odds coincided with the club’s red-hot 20-5 run coming out of the MLB All-Star Break, which also gave the club a comfortable double-digit lead in the AL West standings.
The Astros’ climb to the top of the [World Series] odds coincided with the club’s red-hot 20-5 run coming out of the MLB All-Star Break
The team saw its World Series odds peak at an average of +151 after taking a 2-0 series lead over the Rays before slipping to +175 as Tampa Bay clawed back into the series with a pair of character wins on home turf.
But with Thursday’s dominating Game 5 victory, and a stunning NLDS series loss by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Astros have once again soared. Their current +140 odds are the shortest of any team to date in the 2019 season.
Epic ALCS Clash with Yankees Awaits
However, a massive obstacle lies between the Astros and their second World Series title in three years. The New York Yankees advanced to the ALCS for the second time in three years and closely trail Houston as a +250 second-favorite.
Winners of 103 games this season, the Yankees entered the season lagging well back of both Houston and the Dodgers as a +450 World Series bet. However, the Bronx Bombers did plenty to boost their own stock with a three-game sweep of Minnesota in the ALDS, outscoring the Twins by a wide 23-7 margin, capped by a 5-1 victory in Game 3 as -140 road chalk.
Yankees Offense Best in the Majors
The Yankees’ impressive campaign has been fueled by a potent offense that led the majors this season with 943 runs scored, while sitting second to the Twins with a franchise record 306 home runs. Their impressive series win over Minnesota puts to rest a shaky regular-season finish (6-9 in their final 15 outings, while posting consecutive victories on just one occasion).
"Even scarier for other teams"
Aaron Judge says the Yankees offense is incredible now that everyone's healthy pic.twitter.com/G4ylDanAK2
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 6, 2019
Vengeance will also be on the minds of the Yankees, who enter the ALCS lagging as +140 underdogs on the MLB series prices. New York saw its drive toward the club’s first World Series win since 2009 end with a Game 7 loss to the Astros in the 2018 ALCS, but have produced middling results against the Astros since, going 9-8 overall, and falling to defeat in three dates at Minute Maid Park this season.
Nationals Emerge as Intriguing Dark Horse
This year’s NLCS matchup features the two longshots in the World Series odds, as the St. Louis Cardinals face the Washington Nationals. The Nationals stunned the Dodgers by overcoming a 2-1 series deficit to knock off Los Angeles in five games in the NLDS, marking the club’s first postseason series win since relocating from Montreal 15 years ago. Now riding an impressive 14-3 run, the Nationals have emerged as an intriguing +450 World Series bet.
Howie Kendrick hits a HUGE go ahead grand slam in extra innings as the #Nationals come from behind to defeat the #Dodgers and advance to the NLCS! pic.twitter.com/bCEvlYVkx1
— The Sports Throne (@SportsThroneHub) October 10, 2019
However, Washington must overcome a dismal 5-13 run in its past 18 dates with the Cards, who lag as +500 World Series longshots, but have enjoyed steady success against AL opponents, going 14-6 in interleague play this season. The Cardinals bring plenty of postseason experience into their fifth NLCS appearance since 2011.
However, the club has struggled to get steady production from up and the down the lineup in the NLDS, and their 19th-ranked offense will likely have difficulty keeping pace throughout the remainder of the postseason.
Picks: Astros to win World Series (+140)
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.
