Braves World Series Odds Improve to +1000 With Free Agent Signings
By Robert Duff in MLB Baseball
Published:
- The World Series odds of the Atlanta Braves have shortened from +1200 to +1000
- Atlanta added free agent pitchers Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly to the starting rotation
- The Braves blew a 3-1 lead in the 2020 NLCS and lost in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Atlanta Braves came the closest to stopping the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2021 MLB playoffs. Today, are the Braves closer to overcoming the Dodgers?
Oddsmakers certainly like Atlanta’s chances of doing that today more than they did about a month ago. Atlanta was listed at +1200 when the 2021 World Series odds first dropped on Oct. 28.
Since the addition of free-agent pitchers Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly, the Braves are now +1000 to win the World Series.
2021 World Series Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +425 |
| New York Yankees | +550 |
| Atlanta Braves | +1000 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +1200 |
| San Diego Padres | +1300 |
| Chicago White Sox | +1500 |
| Minnesota Twins | +1500 |
| Houston Astros | +1800 |
| New York Mets | +1800 |
| Oakland Athletics | +1800 |
Odds as of Nov. 25 at DraftKings.
The Dodgers (+425) and New York Yankees (+550) are the only teams currently with shorter odds than the Braves.
Braves’ New World
Entering the offseason, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos knew exactly the issues that were in need of addressing within the team. Bolstering a talented but young starting rotation was among them.
Anthopoulos wasted no time in moving to fill the void. He signed right-hander Morton to a one-year, $15-million pact. Southpaw Smyly agreed to a one-year, $11-milion deal.
Braves' 2021 rotation:
1. Max Fried
2. Mike Soroka
3. Charlie Morton
4. Drew Smyly
5. Ian Anderson
Depth: Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson. Atlanta will be in a formidable position, in defending its NL East titles.— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 24, 2020
The Braves were up 3-1 on the Dodgers in the 2020 NLCS but couldn’t close it out. They lost in seven games.
Who better to ensure that Game 7 will be won next time around than Morton, 37, who’s won more Game 7 decisions (four) than any pitcher in MLB history? Previously with Atlanta to start his big-league career in 2008, Morton is 18-8 with a 3.33 ERA since the start of 2019 season. He’s 5-1 with a 2.10 ERA in postseason play over the same time frame.
#Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos on adding to rotation:
"It was something we definitely wanted to address… These were the two guys that were at the top of our list, with Charlie (Morton) and Drew (Smyly), and we're happy we were able to get both guys."
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) November 24, 2020
Though Smyly’s numbers haven’t been great over the past two seasons since coming back from Tommy John surgery, both his velocity and the rotation on his pitches have shown dramatic improvement. His fastball was clocked last season at 94 mph, while his curveball is at 80 mph.
Still Need A Slugger
Two seasons in a row, the Braves mined free agency to put a power hitter in their batting order. It was Josh Donaldson in 2019. This past season, Marcell Ozuna filled the void.
Ozuna is a free agent. The Braves could opt to re-sign him. Ozuna hit a team-leading 18 homers as the club’s designated hitter.
Looks like Marcell Ozuna has switched agents during free agency. https://t.co/Thdi9PsS6o
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 22, 2020
Atlanta could be waiting to see if the DH will again be employed by the National League in 2021 before making an offer to Ozuna.
If not, the Braves may stand pat with what they have. Outfelders Ronald Acuna (14) and Adan Duvall (16), shortstop Dansby Swanson (10) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (13), the NL MVP, also counted double digits in dingers last season.
Pitching In For Series
Pitching is what’s undoubtedly held the Braves back during these past three seasons in which they won the NL East title. Last season, Atlanta required 273 innings of work from the bullpen. That was the second-most in the major leagues.
Adding Morton and Smyly, they now have a World Series-winning rotation in place.
The Atlanta Braves will win the 2021 World Series. That is all.
— Mark Pennington (@MarkPenningtonn) November 24, 2020
Pair that with an offense that was first in MLB in hits (552), total bases (1,001), on-base percentage (.389), slugging (.483) and OPS (.832)Â and second in home runs (108), runs scored (348), and batting average (.268) and Atlanta looks to be a team with all the necessary pieces in place to challenge for the title.
At +1000, the Braves are certainly worth a World Series wager.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
