How to Bet on the MLB Postseason - World Series Futures and Best Bets

The MLB postseason is here! The Boys of Summer become the Men of Fall as the top six teams from each of the American League and National League face off for MLB supremacy over the next month. After a thrilling regular season filled with 15-game slates, home run round robins, nightly parlays and futures betting, we enter the playoffs with just 12 teams left to bet on. We’ll still be betting on baseball nightly with our MLB picks, best MLB bets today, MLB player props and more, but it’s the last chance to get some action on World Series odds before the postseason begins so we’re here to help you find the best value in October.

In MLB’s current postseason format, the top two seeds from each league get a bye, while the remaining eight teams play a three-game wild card set with the higher seed hosting all three games. From there, the teams that advance will compete in a five-game Divisional Series before a best-of-seven Championship Series determines which two teams compete for the World Series title.

While there are several key components that make up a championship team, the MLB season is famously a war of attrition and any squad talented enough to grind their way to a postseason is usually capable of grinding out a few more series wins en route to a title. Pitching reigns supreme but don’t ever underestimate the seemingly supernatural fire that can take over a clubhouse and turn a team of doubt into a team of destiny. With that said, let’s dive into the best MLB futures to make now across available sportsbooks.

Now, before you place any wagers, you should know that it definitely pays to have more than one funded US Sportsbook account when betting on sports.

For example, did you know that new users at bet365 can get $365 in bonus bets after betting just $1? That's easily one of the best promos to take advantage of when betting on this postseason.

Orioles to Win the American League +290

This one may be a bit chalky, but for the No. 1 overall seed in the American League to get a bye and *not* have the shortest odds is a great opportunity. The Orioles have accelerated their rebuilding team into a full-blown contender, powered by eventual AL Rookie of the Year winner Gunnar Henderson, hot-hitting backstop Adley Rutschman and very strong pitching from the rotation through the bullpen. They capitalized on the Rays' mid-summer collapse to seize control of the AL East from which they never looked back.

Their path to the ALCS will be through the winner of the Rays-Rangers Wild Card series. The Orioles have an 8-5 head-to-head record against Tampa Bay and split six games with Texas this season. Beyond that, our model projects their most likely ALCS opponent as the Astros, who get a 16.2% probability to reach the World Series but at odds of just +200.

DimersBOT projects the Orioles with a 23.7% probability of punching their ticket to the World Series, while their best odds of +290 on DraftKings Sportsbook imply a 25.64% probability. Our true fair price would be closer to +325 but this is pretty close. It’s also one worth throwing a profit boost on to hit those odds or even better. If there’s anything big to take away here, it’s that the Astros are vastly overpriced in the postseason markets. Looking to spice it up just a little bit? Orioles to beat the Astros in the ALCS is +500.

If you’re new to DraftKings as well, this is a great opportunity to capitalize on their Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets plus $150 in no-sweat bets, so check that out here!

Dodgers to Win the National League +200

This is a play on value here, as we’d love to recommend a deep Phillies or Diamondbacks run because they’re good teams who are fun to root for, but we’re making data-based picks and DimersBOT doesn’t see it happening for those teams if you check out our MLB futures.

The Braves are the clear favorite but at +150, even their strong probability of 38.6% is a little short on the price. The Dodgers meanwhile get a 3% edge in their odds at +200 according to our model. The Dodgers need little argument as they’re one of the strongest lineups top-to-bottom in the NL, have the pitching longevity to go deep into games and of course, the experience of a lengthy postseason run. On their side of the bracket, they’ll face either the Brewers or the Diamondbacks who are simply a tier below the Dodgers, making their path to the NLCS straightforward.

For some higher payouts, the Dodgers to beat the Braves is +380, while to beat the Phillies is +750. This is all predicated on the value we get in the Dodgers, so if you’re more keen on backing the Braves, we’d suggest looking at the exact result market to get some longer odds than the +150 on offer.

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Phillies to Win the World Series +1300

Why take the Phillies to win the World Series if they’re not a play for the NLCS? The massive misprice in the odds, that’s why. The Phillies get a 9.3% chance from our model to win the NLCS and reach the World Series, but their odds of +700 on FanDuel Sportsbook imply a 12.5% chance, meaning we’re losing some value in the odds.

However, in the World Series market, we see the complete opposite. Our model gives them a similar probability at 12.7% to win the World Series as the NLCS due to how they match up against American League teams compared to within the National League. But at DraftKings Sportsbook, they're +1300 to win the World Series (implying just a 7.1% chance), meaning we're getting nearly double the value on their odds to win it all compared to just the NLCS, with an even better probability.

The Phillies have shown they can play up to their opponents and compete with the elite. Bryce Harper and Trea Turner can turn it on at any moment and they should breeze through the Marlins in the NL Wild Card. This is a team that was two wins away from being crowned champions last year and these are excellent odds to take advantage of this deep in the year.

 

Please remember to enjoy gambling responsibly. Responsible gambling means setting limits, staying in control, and understanding that luck is just part of the game. Make informed choices, set a budget, and know when to take a break. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.