MLB Power Rankings Based on World Series Odds (Do Upsets Continue in Division Series?)
By Peter Dewey
The first year of Major League Baseball introducing three wild card teams has been a success, if you're looking for upsets and crazy games.
Not only did we see a 15-inning matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians, but we saw three lower seeds advance to the ALDS or NLDS over the weekend.
The Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres all pulled off upsets on the road, and it shows just how slim the margins are when it comes to postseason baseball.
Now, the ALDS and NLDS kick off on Tuesday, giving bettors a full day to mull which team they are willing to back to win the World Series. With only eight teams remaining, the odds on some of the top teams (Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros) have shortened considerably.
However, is there a dark horse team of destiny on the board? The upsets in the wild card round showed us that anything is possible...
Here's how we're power ranking the remaining teams in the MLB playoffs ahead of the divisional series:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (+275) Last Week: No. 1
The Dodgers are going to stay in the No. 1 spot until they are upset, and this team is about as deep as they come with postseason experience. The Padres are a familiar opponent in the NLDS.
2. Houston Astros (+350) LW: No. 2
Houston will face its division foe, the Seattle Mariners, in the ALDS. The Astros may have the pitching edge with Seattle having to use some of its top starters in the wild card round.
3. Atlanta Braves (+500) LW: No. 4
The Braves took 11 of their 19 regular season matchups with the Phillies, but Philadelphia showed it's frisky by knocking off the NL Central champion Cardinals in just two games. Can the defending champs avoid a let down in the NLDS?
4. New York Yankees (+500) LW: No. 3
The Yankees get the Guardians and their elite pitching staff in the ALDS. Can New York's staff hold up? Or will the Yankees' bats be the difference? This series should be close.
5. San Diego Padres (+1000) LW: No. 9
How about the Padres? San Diego dominated Game 3 in New York to upset the 101-win Mets, and now has a chance to play the ultimate spoiler against the Dodgers in the NLDS.
6. Cleveland Guardians (+1600) LW: No. 7
I'm higher on the Guardians than the oddsmakers, as their pitching could prove to be the difference against the Yankees.
7. Seattle Mariners (+1200) LW: No. 10
The young Mariners made quick work of the Blue Jays, and now they face a Houston team that they went 7-12 against in the regular season. It's going to be an uphill battle.
8. Philadelphia Phillies (+1000) LW: No. 12
The Phillies deserve a ton of respect for the run they are on, but the Braves are a tough opponent, especially with their offensive prowess. Crazier things have happened though...
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.