2023 World Series Odds: Best bets before Free Agency

• 2023 World Series odds have been released, with the Los Angeles Dodgers opening as betting favorites with +500 odds.
• The Houston Astros are one of the top bets on the board with +600 odds based on all the talent that returns from 2022.
• Betting on the New York Mets (+1100) or San Diego Padres (+1400) before free agency starts may be wise based on their high offseason spending.

HOUSTON – Legal MLB betting sites have officially posted their 2023 World Series odds, with the 2022 reigning World Series champion Houston Astros having been given the second shortest odds in the Majors.

2023 World Series Odds

• Los Angeles Dodgers +500
• Houston Astros +600
• Atlanta Braves +800
• New York Yankees +900
• Toronto Blue Jays +900
• New York Mets +1100
• Philadelphia Phillies +1200
• Chicago White Sox +1400
• San Diego Padres +1400
• St. Louis Cardinals +1600

The three teams that stand out based on Bovada’s MLB odds are the Houston Astros, New York Mets, and the San Diego Padres.

Houston stands out based on their returning talent, while the Mets and Padres present an interesting bet based on their potential off-season additions.

Betting on the Houston Astros

The Houston Astros just won their second World Series in six years and are stocked with returning talent.

Justin Verlander is almost certain to opt-out of his contract, but with Houston only paying Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve big money, there is no reason for ownership to not do everything they can to ensure the return of the likely 2022 Cy Young award winner.

The Astros are likely undervalued at MLB betting sites, with their returning talent as good or better than every other team in the MLB.

Those +600 odds on such a talented team are likely to be too tempting for players to pass up, with bettors likely needing to bet on the Astros before Mattress Mack does again to ensure the long odds and large payouts.

Betting on the New York Mets or the San Diego Padres

With Bovada releasing their MLB odds before the start of free agency, now may be a perfect time to bet on the New York Mets and San Diego Padres based on their perceived willingness to spend.

The Mets already have signed closer Edwin Diaz to a record-setting reliever contract this week, with the signing just the latest display that Steve Cohen (the Mets owner) may just be willing to outbid every team in the Majors for any player he likes.

On the San Diego Padres front, the team may need to spend in the short term because there will likely be an inability to do so if/when a new contract is reached with Juan Soto before the 2024 offseason.

The Padres went all in on their Soto pursuit and gave up as much prospect capital as any team ever has in a trade, which signifies the importance of winning in the short term.

The Padres will likely focus on pitching because their lineup already features three players likely to sign 300+ million-dollar contracts in their careers, with the Mets also potentially focused on bringing back Jacob deGrom.

Betting on either team to win the 2023 World Series before they sign a big-time free agent will ensure players the best odds at legal sports betting sites.

News tags: Alex Bregman | Bovada | Edwin Diaz | Houston Astros | Jacob deGrom | Jose Altuve | Juan Soto | Los Angeles Dodgers | MLB | New York Mets | San Diego Padres