In Spite of Missing on Machado, Yankees Are Now 2019 World Series Favorites
- The Yankees finished with a 100-62 record last year
- They were eliminated by the Boston Red Sox
- New York missed out on Manny Machado but did make major additions in the bullpen
Manny Machado spurned the New York Yankees and others to sign a record-setting 10 year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres.
Despite this news, the Yankees World Series have actually improved, going from average odds of +800 on January 28th to the current of +600.
2019 World Series Odds
| 2019 World Series Champion | Odds |
|---|---|
| New York Yankees | +600 |
| Boston Red Sox | +600 |
| Houston Astros | +600 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +700 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1000 |
*Odds taken 2/20; follow the link in the table to see odds for all 30 teams
While sportsbooks have the Yankees and Red Sox listed as co-favorites, that’s not the case at all our top online sports betting sites. The Red Sox are an average of +620.
It’s a curious change in the World Series odds to say the least.
The Yankees missed out on a big time target but still seem to have a better chance today than they did a month ago.
So what has caused the Yankees to sit in their current position in the title odds, and more importantly, is there value betting the Bronx Bombers at this price?
Big Improvement in Yankee Bullpen
While the Red Sox have moved in the wrong direction, losing Joe Kelly and seemingly about to lose Craig Kimbrel, the Yankees have vastly improved what was already a pretty strong bullpen.
Red Sox are taking a big risk by not bringing back Craig Kimbrel. https://t.co/z10M1Oy1Nh (via @nickcafardo) pic.twitter.com/xQMIlOYkvc
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) February 20, 2019
The 2019 Yankees will close games out with a combination of Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Zack Britton, and Adam Ottovino. This could quite literally be the best bullpen of all-time.
A 100-win team from a year ago just bolstered it’s lineup in a big way, it’s no wonder the oddsmakers are paying them respect.
In addition to the moves on the back hand, the Yankees landed James Paxton to add to the rotation, which itself was a monster move. Now none of this came since the January 28th odds, but coupling these changes with the dormant Red Sox and other contenders led to the change in the odds.
Winning a World Series was the biggest reason why Zack Britton decided to come back to New York pic.twitter.com/SlcakKbt9P
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 13, 2019
The Time to Bet the Yankees is Now
If you like the Yankees chances, the price you’re getting today is as good as it will be.
Yes, they have to face Boston in the division, but Baltimore and Toronto are horrible, and Tampa Bay shouldn’t pose much of a threat either.
In fact, much of the American League is down this year and New York should have little problem reaching a win total similar to, or even better than, last year.
As far as futures bets go, 100+ win teams don’t usually come with a friendly price tag and +600 would offer an awesome haul should they win the World Series.
2 sluggers took the field yesterday, both healthy & fit, and ready to contribute in 2019. pic.twitter.com/AMvaRPCV25
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 20, 2019
The Red Sox and Astros are also strong bets, and given the same logic that preseason odds will always look friendlier than mid-season offerings, it really comes down to what you believe.
Whichever team you think has the best chance, get your money in early to enjoy the best payout if you pick correctly.
Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
