Introduction to Major League Baseball Futures
MLB futures are a category of MLB betting market that focused on long-term outcomes for teams or individual players.
Instead of focusing on an individual game, these bets are predictions about player awards and playoff results that will come to a resolution after the regular season has concluded.
How to Bet on MLB Futures
Wagering on Major League Baseball futures is something bettors can do easily for the duration of the MLB season.
While some prefer to place wagers at the beginning of the season to have a year-long rooting interest it is possible to bet on the World Series winner at any point during the regular season or playoffs. Betting markets on individual awards tend to stay open until the playoffs begin.
Understanding Futures Odds and Betting
Futures markets may be new to some bettors who prefer to wager on individual games, but they are not difficult to understand.
When a sportsbook user goes to the MLB section of their favorite betting platform they are likely to find odds on which team will win the World Series or pennant, as well as which player will win each end-of-season award.
Once they place their bet that to wait until the playoff outcomes they bet on have been resolved or the award winner has been announced.
Key Factors Affecting World Series Odds
There are a massive amount of factors that go into World Series odds ranging from how statistical projections see a team to its playoff history.
Setting World Series odds prior to the season is a difficult task and then injuries, trades, and unexpected swings in player performance move them around all season long.
Another important factor is what a team's road through the postseason could look like. The top two teams in the AL and NL are far safer bets to win a World Series because they don't have to participate in the wild-card round, but that is no guarantee of playoff glory.
2024 World Series Futures Odds
The World Series odds fluctuate significantly over the course of the season, but by the middle of the summer, the favorites tend to have separated themselves from the pack.
If you are looking for the latest World Series futures odds, they are found in the MLB section of almost any online sportsbook.
Below is an example the top of a World Series odds table from DraftKings Sportsbook:
Top Contenders to Win the World Series
For most of the 2024 season, there has been a small handful of teams concentrated at the top of the World Series odds leaderboard.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the favorite team since the preseason in large part due to the addition of superstar Shohei Ohtani in free agency. Similarly, the New York Yankees bolstered their chances by grabbing one player with a massive impact in Juan Soto.
Those two free-spending powerhouses are joined by three other top contenders: the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and Atlanta Braves.
Notable Teams with Longshot Odds
While there seems to be a significant difference between MLB's top five teams and the rest of the pack that doesn't mean there aren't any notable dark horses.
The Houston Astros have represented the American League in every World Series since 2017, and they may be able to rebound from an atrocious start to the season. It is also possible that the 2023 champions — the Texas Rangers — go on a late-season run.
The Cleveland Guardians also stand out as a team with longshot odds that could win the World Series. Cleveland has shattered preseason expectations and playing in a weak division with subpar teams like the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox helps the team's chances.
American and National League Pennant Odds
Betting on AL and NL pennants is similar to betting on World Series winner. The only difference is that you are betting on which teams will represent the American League and National League in the Fall Classic.
The equivalent in NFL betting would be betting on which team would appear in the Super Bowl from the AFC and NFC.
Below is an example of how Betsafe Sportsbooks displays its pennant odds:
AL Pennant Odds
The AL pennant odds shift like all futures but midway through the 2024 season, it is clear that the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are the clear favorites.
There is significant risk associated with betting on either of those two clubs, though, because they are in the same division. Whoever loses the AL East crown will have a more difficult road through the playoffs as a wild card team, and that division race projects to be a close one.
Some bettors may prefer placing their wager on a club like the Cleveland Guardians or Seattle Mariners that are more certain to win their divisions — even if they aren't as talented as the Yankees or Orioles.
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NL Pennant Odds
In the National League, a trio of teams — the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves — are near the top of the leaderboard of the odds and every club below those three has to be considered a longshot to represent the NL in the World Series.
Just like in the American League, one futures betting strategy that some bettors could favor is targeting a clear division winner, even if they aren't as talented as the favorites. In this case, the candidate for that strategy would be the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Dodgers are the best of both worlds as a likely division winner, and consistent presence in the NLCS, that also has top-tier talent, but the odds reflect the advantages Los Angeles has.
Betting Strategies and Tips
When betting on MLB futures it's important to take a long view of the season as opposed to overreacting to what's transpiring in the moment.
One way to do that is to visit websites that provide World Series probabilities based on advanced statistical data such as FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference.
The numbers found at those sites are not easily swayed by microtrends, and it's possible to find MLB futures odds that appears that have implied probabilities out of sync with projections.
Here are some other important things to know before making futures bets.
Where to Bet on MLB Futures
You can find MLB futures betting odds at a variety of leading sportsbooks such as BetMGM, FanDuel, or Bet365.
Experienced MLB bettors expect to have a chance to bet on who will win the World Series, so it is uncommon to find a sportsbook that doesn't feature these baseball markets.
Maximizing Your Chances of Winning
There is no surefire way to maximize your chances of winning a futures bet. Trying to predict the outcome of a single MLB game is a difficult enough task, predicting how the entire season will unfold is even trickier. Even awards wagers like bets on the MVP, Cy Young or Rookie of the Year are full of pitfalls.
A player can appear to be the clear-cut favorite to bring home a particular trophy halfway through the season and sustain a devastating injury — or experience an inexplicable drop in performance.
It's worth pouring over projections and statistics before making any futures bets, but as helpful as that data can be, these wagers are still difficult to win.
The good news for baseball bettors is that that difficulty is baked into the odds, and the payouts tend to be fairly generous when you bet on a futures market.
MLB Futures FAQ
Understanding MLB Futures Bets
What are MLB futures bets and how do they work?
MLB futures bets are long-term wagers placed on outcomes that will be determined at the end of the baseball season.
These can include bets on which team will win the World Series, which players will win MVP or Cy Young awards, and which teams will make the MLB playoffs. Futures bets are available throughout the season, allowing bettors to wager at any point before the outcomes are decided.
Betting on the 2024 World Series
How can I place a bet on the 2024 World Series?
To bet on the 2024 World Series, visit the MLB section of your preferred sportsbook. You'll find betting odds for which team will win the World Series.
Simply select your preferred team, enter your wager amount, and confirm your bet. You can place these bets at any time during the MLB season and even during the playoffs.
Factors Affecting World Series Betting Odds
What factors influence the betting odds for the World Series?
World Series betting odds are influenced by numerous factors, including team performance, injuries, trades, and playoff positioning. Historical performance in the playoffs can also impact odds.
Strategies for Betting on MLB Futures
What are some effective strategies for betting on MLB futures?
Successful futures betting involves taking a long-term view and not overreacting to short-term trends.
Analyzing advanced statistics and projections from sites like FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference can provide valuable insights. It’s also wise to consider the potential for injuries or mid-season trades that could affect a team's chances.
Understanding Pennant Odds
What are pennant odds and how do they differ from World Series odds?
Pennant odds are wagers on which team will win the American League (AL) or National League (NL) and thus represent their league in the World Series. These differ from World Series odds, which are bets on the overall champion.
For example, in 2024, you might bet on the New York Yankees to win the AL pennant and then make a separate bet on them to win the World Series. Pennant odds are typically available throughout the season and playoffs.
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