2018 World Series Predictions

by Trevor Whenham - 6/8/2018

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber

We have looked at the top teams that have the lowest odds to win the World Series - Houston, the Yankees, Red Sox and Nationals. The further along this season goes, though, the more it feels like this is a completely and totally wide-open season. The top teams all have questions. The Yankees aren't hitting as well lately as they have in the past, and they need pitching. Houston isn't playing well enough at home, are playing without the killer instinct they had last year, and can't shake off that pesky Mariners squad. Though Boston is playing well right now, they are far from a perfect team at this point. And Washington is still showing the annoying inconsistencies that make them tough to love.

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Any of those teams could win the World Series and it wouldn't be a real surprise. But it also wouldn't be a particular surprise if another team stepped up and came through. So, what we want to look at now are the odds for some of those teams at bigger prices. We're looking for some long shot value - or at least longer shot. ( Odds are from Bovada )

Cleveland Indians (+1400): The Indians are a really ugly 12-17 on the road, and that has to be the biggest factor in the general struggles of this team so far. But they are playing in such an awful division that they have a comfortable four-game lead despite their struggles and are going to be a playoff game almost certainly. It's not like the Tigers suddenly have what it takes to go on a crazy run. Right now this is not a team that is going to threaten anyone. But they have upside in pretty much every aspect of their game, and they have plenty of playoff experience to draw on. They should be better than they are, and if they can find their mojo again in the second half of this season they could become more than just the playoff also-ran that they look like they could be right now. The odds suggest that their chances are almost three times worse than the top three favorites in the American League. While that is probably the case now, it shouldn't be on paper, and so there should be some relative value to be had here. The team is playing a little better lately, so it's a good step forward.

Atlanta Braves (+1600): The young Braves have been a great story this year, but it's no fluke. They have scored the most runs in the National League and have the second-best run differential. And they have the third most road wins, too. It's probably too soon for this team right now, but they are in decent shape in the wild-card race, and it is no lock that Washington will be running away from them for the division win, either. This price isn't packed with value, but it's at least close to fair. And this is an easy team to cheer for.

Seattle Mariners (+2200): I grew up a Mariners fan - their AAA team played in my hometown when I was a kid. We miss you, Calgary Cannons. And being a Mariners fan has long been a rough experience. This year, though, when not a ton was expected, they have been as good as they have been since the Griffey Jr. glory days. The pitching has been surprising, and they are having this success without the strong play of some of their high-priced old guys. They have the lead in the AL West and have kept fighting well beyond the point it felt like they would have gone away. They deserve some respect at this point - more respect than this price suggests.

Arizona Diamondbacks (+2800): It feels like everyone assumes that the Dodgers are going to win the NL West - they are at +1200 to win the World Series and certainly aren't in strong wild card shape at this point. While the Dodgers could win it, there is sure no shortage of issues with that team. Arizona has the lead right now. And while they haven't been good, they feel like they are playing a very sustainable style of play. Not flashy or always exciting but perhaps good enough to be a playoff team. And if they get there then they have stingy pitching and a couple of bats that can do some damage. That can be enough if they get hot at the right time.

St. Louis Cardinals (+3300): The problem the Cardinals face right now is that they are both third in their division and in the wild-card hunt. They have work to do. But Milwaukee feels like a team that could come back to the pack, and St. Louis is playing well and could play better. They have also been hinting that they could be active in trade action soon, and they have some pieces and flexibility that could make that work. The Cardinals are just a tough team that goes about their business. The National League is particularly uninspiring up top, so it is totally wide open to get to the World Series from that side of the bracket. St. Louis could just keep climbing and position themselves for some late fall damage.

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Start:	September 26, 2018 @ 7:05 PM
Expert:	Scott Spreitzer
Offered at:	MyBookie
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2018 World Series Predictions

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