Steve Starr
- Bovada has updated its 2019 World Series odds for all 30 Major League Baseball teams
- The Astros (+250) are once again the favorites after landing Zack Greinke at the trade deadline
- The Indians (+1600) remain in the hunt despite dealing ace Trevor Bauer
With new rules eliminating the “waiver deadline”, which made deals possible until the end of August, last week’s July 31st trade deadline was essentially the final chance for MLB playoff hopefuls to improve their rosters.
While most clubs decided not to purge prospects in order to make an October run, a few teams filled key holes in their lineup and, subsequently, boosted their odds at Bovada. Let’s take a look.
2019 World Series Odds
| MLB Team | Odds |
| Houston Astros | +250 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +285 |
| New York Yankees | +400 |
| Atlanta Braves | +850 |
| Minnesota Twins | +1200 |
| Chicago Cubs | +1600 |
| Cleveland Indians | +1600 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +1800 |
| Boston Red Sox | +2200 |
| Washington Nationals | +2200 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +2500 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +2800 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +3000 |
| Oakland Athletics | +4000 |
| San Francisco Giants | +5000 |
| New York Mets | +6000 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +12500 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +12500 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +15000 |
| San Diego Padres | +20000 |
| Texas Rangers | +20000 |
| Colorado Rockies | +22000 |
| Chicago White Sox | +50000 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +75000 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +400000 |
| Detroit Tigers | +400000 |
| Kansas City Royals | +400000 |
| Miami Marlins | +400000 |
| Seattle Mariners | +400000 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +400000 |
Houston Astros
Well, it might already be time to add another chapter to Astroball. Major League Baseball’s analytical darlings made a string of last-minute deadline deals to catch the competition flat-footed and become the new betting favorites.
While big market clubs like the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox strangely stood pat, the Astros acquired former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke from the Diamondbacks as well as the Jays’ Aaron Sanchez, who threw a combined no-hitter in his debut start for Houston.
After trading for Zack Greinke, the Astros now have 4 of the top 15 starting pitchers by ERA this season. pic.twitter.com/mmwIeB2Dvl
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2019
Added to a staff with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, Houston’s starting rotation looks downright scary after going 14-1 in the last 17 games.
Atlanta Braves
While Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins shipped off star players for questionable returns, Toronto’s former GM Alex Anthopoulos shored up the Braves’ bullpen by adding All-Star Shane Greene from Detroit and Mark Melancon from San Francisco.
Great candidate for “Bat Flip of the Year”
(via @Braves) pic.twitter.com/h8zzLV8c2g
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 5, 2019
At least he thought he did anyway. After recording the second-best ERA (1.18) among MLB relievers while with the Tigers, Greene has already blown two saves with the Braves. While the sample size is still small, Atlanta fans have reason to worry.
Cleveland Indians
Sitting only three games back of the Twins in the AL Central, the Indians dealt one of their best pitchers (Trevor Bauer) for prospects and two powerful bats (Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes), who will add much-needed pop to an offense that ranks 18th in home runs and slugging percentage.
With All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber enjoying a breakout season (11-4, 3.31 ERA, 182 strikeouts) and two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber expected back shortly, trading Bauer is the type of smart, calculated risk that could pay off now and in the future.
Nice ? @Topps pic.twitter.com/FW8R1Ckzri
— Shane Bieber (@ShaneBieber19) August 3, 2019
Sitting with a MLB-best 37-15 record since June 3rd, the Tribe are a solid value at 16/1 to win the World Series.
