Nationals’ World Series Odds Slide After Losing 5th Straight Series
- The Washington Nationals have lost five straight series and now sit fourth in the NL East
- The St. Louis Cardinals are contenders after adding Paul Goldschmidt in the offseason
- The Houston Astros are World Series favorites thanks to great starts from Justin Verlander and George Springer
Things have gone from bad to worse for the Washington Nationals, who have now lost five straight series.
The slide has caught the attention of the oddsmakers, who have shuffled the Nationals deep down their list of World Series contenders. Over the past week they’ve fallen from +2400 to +3400 across a number of online sportsbooks.
2019 World Series Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Houston Astros | +450 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +500 |
| New York Yankees | +500 |
| Chicago Cubs | +1000 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1100 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +1100 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +1100 |
| Boston Red Sox | +1500 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +1500 |
| Minnesota Twins | +1600 |
| Washington Nationals | +3500 |
*Odds taken 05/07/19
The Nationals are now 14-20 and sit five games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. For my money, you can cross them off your list as a World Series contender. If you disagree, +3500 is great value, but two other teams have caught my attention.
This is Max Scherzer's 85th career game of 10+ strikeouts.
He's passed HOF Steve Carlton for 7th most in @MLB history.#Scherzday // #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/fyVm9TTYhz
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 7, 2019
Cardinals Contenders in the NL
The addition of Paul Goldschmidt and the return of a Marcell Ozuna have provided the Cardinals with a one-two punch that rivals any in baseball. They have combined for 20 home runs and 49 RBI in the middle of the St. Louis lineup and have led the team to a division leading 21-14 record. It’s no wonder their World Series odds sit at just +1100.
Just celebrating home runs with Dabo Swinney! pic.twitter.com/TVXSLvpsl5
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 7, 2019
The Cardinals have scored 180 runs, which is sixth best in baseball, and have only allowed 152 runs, which is 12th best. With a +28 run differential they’ve proved early on they are a threat in the NL.
The Cardinals have scored 180 runs, which is sixth best in baseball, and have only allowed 152 runs, which is 12th best.
One other reason to like their chances is a competitive management group. They opened the purse strings signing Goldschmidt to a mega extension after acquiring him in an offseason trade with Arizona, and they’ll likely be buyers at the deadline if they continue to play like they are capable.
Astros Are Favorites for Good Reason
A dominant pitching staff and a deep lineup have the Astros atop the list and nearly every other betting site you can find. Justin Verlander has returned to Cy Young form with a 2.86 ERA and 0.87 WHIP and is backed up by three other strong arms in the rotation in Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley, and Collin McHugh.
The one true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. #GoTMLB pic.twitter.com/MuXh8HXfUA
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2019
On offense George Springer is leading the way with 11 home runs and 29 RBI. It’s a great sign for Houston when he is dominating offensively with Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Alex Bregman providing depth.
No other team in the big leagues has talent up and down the lineup quite like the Astros. The fact you can still get them at +450 is a big value play option if you like them as much as I do.
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.
