As the calendar flips to October, baseball fans across the nation can feel the palpable electricity in the air. It’s that time of year again, when every pitch, swing, and stolen base carries the weight of an entire season. Welcome to the 2023 MLB Playoffs, where dreams are realized, legends are born and the heart-pounding drama of postseason baseball takes center stage!
Being crowned World Series champions is the ultimate goal for every MLB team and after months of grueling regular-season battles, we’ve finally reached the MLB Playoffs. The postseason action kicks off on October 3rd with the Wild Card round, before advancing to the Divisional and Championship rounds. It all builds towards the 2023 World Series, with Game 1 scheduled for October 27th, setting the stage for a rollercoaster of unforgettable moments.
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There’s more to the MLB playoffs than just the thrill of the game – It’s also the perfect time to engage in America’s favorite pastime off the field – betting on baseball! From passionate fans to seasoned gamblers, the MLB Playoffs offer an array of exciting betting opportunities. Whether it’s placing in-game bets, predicting the outcome of a series or betting on a World Series future, the MLB playoffs provide a thrilling backdrop for sports bettors.
In this MLB Playoffs preview from Bovada Sportsbook, we’ll take a closer look at some of the standout teams, along with a few of the key players to watch and potential Cinderella stories that could unfold. It’s time to place your bets and get your rally caps on because October baseball is here, and anything can happen under the bright lights of the MLB Playoffs!
2023 World Series Betting Odds
Looking at this year’s postseason picture, there are a handful of team that have emerged as frontrunners to win the 2023 World Series. Here are the World Series betting odds for the top five contenders poised to make a serious run at this year’s championship.
#5. Houston Astros +1000
The defending champs are looking to become the first MLB team to win back-to-back World Series titles since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998 to 2000. It’s been a challenging season for Houston and at the time of this writing, the team is trying it’s best to hold on to the American League’s third and final Wild Card position. They may not look world champions at the moment but this team knows how to win in the postseason and is capable of turning it on at any moment. With past playoff heroes like 3B Alex Bregman, 2B Jose Altuve, LF Yordan Alvarez and SP Justin Verlander all back together in Houston and looking to repeat as champions, this team’s current World Series odds (+1000) offer some excellent betting value.
#4. Texas Rangers (+650)
After winning just 68 games last season, Texas took a big jump forward in 2023 and are about to clinch the AL West. It’s been an up-and-down campaign for the ball club, but the Rangers need just one more win to secure a bye past the Wild Card round and into the ALDS. This team has plenty of big bats with the likes of 2B Marcus Semien, RF Adolis Garcia and SS Corey Seager, who’s delivered an MVP-caliber campaign with an OPS of 1.031. While the acquisition of Max Scherzer has yet to work out how the Rangers envisioned, Texas managed to avoid a late-season collapse and has remained near the top of the AL standings all season long. Looking to claim their first World Series title in the franchise’s 62-year history, the Rangers are going to be a tough out in this year’s MLB Playoffs.
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#3. Baltimore Orioles (+550)
The Orioles are yet another MLB team that took a big step forward in 2023. After showing signs of promise last season, Baltimore exploded this year and have nearly clinched their first AL East title since 2014. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the team’s last World Series championship and, with the recent passing of Orioles legend Brooks Robinson, you can bet they would love nothing more than returning this baseball club to its former glory. They’ll have a chance with the help of all their bright, young talent – Players like 3B Gunnar Henderson, C Adley Rutschman and SP Grayson Rodriguez are all 25 or younger and have been a big part of Baltimore’s youth movement this season. If you want to bet on a young and exciting club with unlimited potential, the Orioles are your team.
#2. Los Angeles Dodgers (+375)
Perennial World Series contenders, the Dodgers were once again the class of the NL West this season. As one of the top two division winners in the National League, the Dodgers have assured themselves a bye into the NLDS. It’s no secret who’s powering the offense in Los Angeles, as RF Mookie Betts and 1B Freddie Freeman make up one of the most dynamic duos in all of baseball. Both players have delivered incredible numbers this season and will continue to terrorize opposing pitchers in the postseason. The big concern for the Dodgers is their pitching; the team can no longer rely on SP Clayton Kershaw to be the workhorse he once was and will need an excellent showing from their shorthanded rotation if they want a real chance at going all the way.
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#1. Atlanta Braves (+240)
With the best record in all of baseball this season, it should come as no surprise that the Atlanta Braves are the betting favorite to win the 2023 World Series. This team is only two years removed from winning it all and in great position to accomplish the feat once again. By winning their division with the NL’s best record, Atlanta will bypass the Wild Card Round and await their opponent in the NLDS. The Braves have a tremendously talented lineup that includes the likes of 1B Matt Olson, 3B Austin Riley and SP Spencer Strider, but this team’s playoff aspirations rest squarely on the shoulders of Atlanta’s superstar RF Ronald Acuna Jr. As he puts the finishing touches on what should be an MVP-winning campaign, he’ll need to be at his best in the MLB Playoffs if the braved are to be crowned as 2023 World Series champions.
*Odds subject to change