MLB Playoffs 2019: Houston, We Have Liftoff!

The weather gets colder but the MLB playoffs get hotter as the indomitable Houston Astros are MLB playoff odds favourite to recapture the World Series. Here are the odds for the top-five teams:

• Houston Astros – 3.10
• Los Angeles Dodgers – 4.25
• New York Yankees – 5.25
• Atlanta Braves – 8.50
• Minnesota Twins – 14.00

New York versus Los Angeles might make a better and the Atlanta Braves shouldn't be slept on. But bank on "Crush City" to crush their way to another deep playoff run, especially with a watered-down AL. Let's break down the MLB playoff odds.

MLB Playoff Betting Odds Quick Facts:

• Houston leads the majors in most major batting stats including batting average (.274), OPS (.847), and strikeouts (1,150).
• Los Angeles leads the majors in ERA (3.41), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.85), and opponents OBP (.283) (tied with Houston)
• St. Louis leads the majors in fielding percentage (.989), total errors (66) and DIP (107.41)
• Houston has the best home record (60-21) in the majors
• Minnesota has the best road record (54-25) in the majors

MLB Playoff Odds 2019: Houston and the Contenders

Sometimes it's just so obvious. But on paper, and on the field, the Houston Astros (3.10) are the clear-cut World Series favourites according to MLB playoff odds 2019.

Houston is ranked in the top-three in the majors in most major categories in batting and pitching. Their rotation is filled with All-Stars and a future Hall of Famer and their batters can hit for accuracy or power. 

But repeating as champs hasn't been done in almost 20 years. Here are the other teams who could win it all according to MLB playoff odds:

Los Angeles Dodgers (4.25)

Will it be third time's the charm for the Dodgers if they return to the Fall Classic? Not unlike the Astros, who they fell to in 2017, the Dodgers have a stacked roster on both ends of the field.

What they lack? Clutch pitching. The Dodgers have a shaky bullpen and issues with closing and their pitchers, most notably Clayton Kershaw, tend to collapse in the playoffs. But at these odds, they are worth their weight on paper.

New York Yankees (5.25)

The "Bronx Bombers" could finally end the decade-long drought and give the obsessed Yankees fans a World Series... if everything shakes in their favour.

Despite all the litany of injuries, the Yankees finished with their best record since they last won the World Series. With the return of ace Luis Severino and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees could be at their best this playoffs. They could finally beat the Astros.

Atlanta Braves (8.50)

The Braves are just as talented as the three we mentioned yet they're a distant fourth. Atlanta had an MVP season from the resurgent Josh Donaldson and their brilliant rotation have them surging to a potential World Series run.

If they have a flaw, it's their lack of proven players beyond their main players. But if they have just a few role players step up, they could just shock the favourites. At these odds, they are worth a stab.

Surprise Teams Who Could Upset the MLB Playoff Odds

Hate to break it to fans of the four teams above, but there are six other teams who are in the running and despite these longshot MLB playoff odds, they still have a shot. It's easy to write off the wild card teams and they are risky bets given the sudden death nature of the spot.  

But if you're ballsy enough to put a stake in some of these teams, you could be one of the few who prosper when if they do.

St. Louis Cardinals (17.00)

Out of the longshots, the Cardinals are the most recognizable. They have the sixth-best chance according to Vegas odds - MLB playoffs, but many of them have done this more than any other team.

Their combination of playoff experience, clutch pitching (they lead the league in saves), and defense make them a sleeper to win the World Series.

Tampa Bay Rays (19.00)

The Rays are almost like the AL version of the Cardinals, except they aren't as recognized. Even Rays fans wouldn't know most of their players because they lack star power. Butt hey have quietly become one of the best baseball teams led by their pitching, which ranks in the top-three in most major pitching categories. If they can scrounge up enough offense they could be more than a Cinderella team

Milwaukee Brewers (21.00)

The Crew are not supposed to be here, but they're back and they may just be the "Team of Destiny." Fluff aside, the Brewers are peaking at just the right time despite missing their best player in Christian Yelich.

They are getting just enough offense to complement their clutch pitching, which is second in saves. They lack the star power of the favourites but have just enough and have plenty of heart. They can make a run.

How to Beat the MLB Playoff Betting Odds

How do you beat the MLB Playoff betting odds?

Tune out all the talking heads and "analysts" you see on TV.

And before consulting with experts online, do your own research. Studies show we get influenced subconsciously by mere opinion. This will make studying the MLB playoff odds much more difficult when a cloud of bias already forms. 

And outside of researching the MLB, look up the top online sportsbooks as well. We have partnered with some of them and included comprehensive online betting reviews because we want to provide an unbiased perspective for the best books for MLB playoff betting odds. 

Category : Online Betting News

Tag : baseball odds , mlb , mlb odds , mlb picks , mlb playoff odds , mlb playoff picks

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