World Series: Boston Red Sox Listed As Favorites Over Los Angeles Dodgers

The Boston Red Sox are favored to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 World Series, albeit slightly. The earliest odds released have Boston installed as -130 favorites over the slight underdog Dodgers (+110). Nevertheless, to break this down in layman’s terms; we are in for a very competitive and tight World Series.

More opening World Series odds (@5Dimes):

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Dodgers +110
Red Sox -130

— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) October 21, 2018

Some sites like ESPN have Boston listed as high as -135, but -130 seems to be an early consensus. What this means is that to win $100, you would need to bet $135 if you like the Red Sox to win the championship. Comparatively, if you believe the Dodgers are due to win their first title since 1988; a $100 wager would net you $110.

If you want to make a comparison – the Dodgers were listed as -165 favorites over the Houston Astros before the 2017 World Series. I have to drop the line: we know how that turned out. Houston was +145 at that time – to give you an idea that this World Series is forecasted even closer on paper in the eyes of oddsmakers.

Series Outcome Odds

Furthermore, there are odds on the outcome of the series and how many games it will end within. Oddsmakers see the Boston Red Sox winning in six games as the most likely outcome (+400). The second most likely outcome is Boston in seven games. You can see the full outcome below, and if you believe a sweep is possible you could stand to make a lot of money.

Odds on World Series outcome (via BetOnline)

Dodgers in 4: +1400
Dodgers in 5: +600
Dodgers in 6: +500
Dodgers in 7: +500

Red Sox in 4: +1400
Red Sox in 5: +700
Red Sox in 6: +400
Red Sox in 7: +450

— Action Labs (@ActionLabs_HQ) October 21, 2018

Summed up, all indications are that we are in for a very competitive World Series in 2018. If it feels like the Boston Red Sox – a team that won 108 regular season games – are a juggernaut; that’s simply not the case. Still, professionals paid to handicap see this as an even series with the Dodgers playing phenomenal baseball over the past month.