The 2024 MLB season is set to begin with the Texas Rangers looking to defend their crown as World Series champions against a loaded field of top teams.
The Rangers claimed their first ever title with a 4-1 series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, but neither team are considered to be among the top contenders for the crown this time around.
So who is considered to be the favorites? We'll take a look at the league and the top candidates and provide you with our best free MLB betting picks to try and earn you some extra cash.
| MLB Futures 2024 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +300 | +350 | +325 |
| Atlanta Braves | +500 | +450 | +500 |
| Houston Astros | +700 | +750 | +900 |
| New York Yankees | +1000 | +1000 | +850 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +1200 | +1400 | +950 |
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MLB World Series 2024 information
- Regular season: March 20th 2024 - September 29th 2024
- Post-season: October 1st 2024
- World Series: Game 7 scheduled November 2nd 2024
MLB World Series 2024 favorites
Below you'll find a list of favorites to win the MLB World Series 2024.
Los Angeles Dodgers - (+350)
Los Angeles is coming off a disappointing season that saw their starting pitching crumble throughout the season and in the playoffs, but they look sure to be coming back with a bang this time around after adding Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow to their roster.
The pressure is on Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. The Dodgers have one of the best teams on paper every year, but the gap is massive this season. Los Angeles has struggled to convert its talent into championships, with their last crown coming way back in 2020 to extend their World Series record to 7-14 in their history.
The ultimate goal was to sign Shohei Ohtani, and they did this through a 10-year, $700 million deal with an incredible $680m of that deferred until after it expires in 2033.
Ohtani is the offense's centerpiece but is one of many A-level players in the lineup. We can’t forget about Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and Max Muncy. When players go on their inevitable slump over 162 games, the Dodgers have enough quality that they should never really have that issue.
At +350 the value isn't the best, but it would be a huge shock if they didn't win it so you'd be crazy not to consider it.
Check out our review for BetUS sports betting here.
Atlanta Braves - (+500)
The Braves may have fallen short of their postseason ambitions in 2023, but they will return one the most potent lineups in the last 30 years with a rotation anchored by one of the best starting pitchers in the sport, Spencer Strider.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is coming off a historic campaign in which he posted a .337/.416/.596 slash line with 41 home runs and 73 stolen bases. In addition, the Braves lineup remains stacked with Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Michael Harris Jr.
They don't quite have the star power of the Dodgers, but this Atlanta team is very strong in it's own right and they will be confident of victory in every game they step into. There's solid value in a +500 bet too, so they're one to keep an eye on.
Check out our review for BetOnline sports betting here.
Houston Astros - (+900)
Houston will return their entire core in 2024, while also having Justin Verlander for a whole season although his shoulder injury recovery isn't quite going to plan right now.
The Astros also have an absolutely stacked bullpen following the addition of elite closer Josh Hader to form a potent trio that also includes Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu. This team is a perennial World Series contender for a reason, so there is no reason to treat them otherwise.
Houston has a lot of value in the futures market because they don’t have to face the Dodgers or Braves until a potential World Series matchup, so the value of +900 makes this a really intriguing option.
The Astros also signed Jose Altuve to an extension, so he will be in Houston for the rest of his career. They also have Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Yordan Alvarez, some of the game's most intimidating hitters so keep an eye on them as the season progresses.
New York Yankees - (+1000)
After reigning AL Cy Young odds winner Gerrit Cole was sidelined in the spring, the Yankees began to struggle to win games as often as they were used to.
There is no timetable for Cole’s return right now after he was informed he doesn’t need Tommy John surgery, at least for now. It’s never easy to lose a Cy Young winner, but New York’s rotation depth is a concern.
If things do get out of hand, the Yankees could always opt to trade away Juan Soto at the deadline which could prove to be a real killer blow to their chances.
There is plenty of reason to not trust any the Yankees but with their roster far from settled and having already lost one of their better players for the early part of the campaign this looks like a bet to avoid.
Baltimore Orioles - (+1400)
The O's put everyone on notice with a 101-win season in 2023 but unfortunately, Baltimore contrasted that with an immediate playoff sweep at the hands of the eventual winners Texas Rangers.
The Dirty Birds returned to the drawing board and armed themselves with some added firepower for 2024. Former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes now leads their rotation, while Craig Kimbrel will anchor the back end with Felix Bautista on the shelf due to injury.
If they can continue their form from last season and mix in the experience of their post-season failures to fuel them in 2024 then +1400 could be a shrewd bet for a surprise champion.
