MLB betting fervor peaks when the World Series starts in October.
Long before then, though, World Series futures odds are among the most popular MLB betting markets at the top MLB betting sites.
Here’s a look at the latest World Series futures odds and how you can bet on the Fall Classic in your state right now.
Latest World Series futures odds
World Series futures odds
The moment this season’s World Series is through, the best sports betting sites across the country post odds on every MLB team winning it next season.
Every team has somewhat long odds at that point, but then those odds shift throughout the season based on trades, injuries, actual team performance, and the standings.
Your job is to pick a team you think will win the World Series. Place a bet, and you lock in the odds on that team as they are on the board when you bet.
It doesn't matter how much the odds change from then until the World Series is over.
How do World Series futures odds shift?
To illuminate the concept of odds shifts, consider that the Houston Astros were at +900 to win the World Series in Spring 2022.
By the end of the summer, heading into the postseason, the odds dropped to +380. After winning the 2022 World Series, Houston was at +650 to repeat. However, those odds shrunk again to +550 as the Astros contended for a first-round bye in the postseason.
Once the American and National League Championship Series are over and the World Series matchup is set, you can bet on one of the two teams to win it, but you’ll be doing it at significantly reduced odds.
As with any futures bet, you must assess whether you value better odds or clearer information as the season rolls along.
World Series game lines
You can also bet on every game in the World Series via moneylines, run lines (point spreads), and totals (over/unders). We’ll explain how those bets work below.
World Series moneylines
Sportsbooks post World Series moneylines for every World Series game. Your job is to pick the team you think will win that game.
You book your bet at the currently posted odds. If the team you bet on wins, you get paid according to those odds, even if the odds change after you bet.
One team will be the favorite and the other the underdog. For example, the Astros might be -120 favorites over the Atlanta Braves (+115) in Game 1 of the World Series.
Bet $100 on the underdog Braves; if they win, you'll win $115 (plus your stake back).
Bet $120 on the favored Astros; if they win, you'll win $100 (plus your bet back). Betting on the favorite means risking more for a smaller reward.
Betting on the underdog means less risk and a bigger potential payday on a bet that’s theoretically more difficult to win.
World Series run lines
Sportsbooks post run lines for every World Series game. Your job is to pick the team you think will win that game with the run line factored into the final score. The run line acts as a point spread, evening the odds on both sides of the bet.
Spreads take away some of the financial risk involved in betting on a moneyline favorite and give bets on underdogs a better chance of winning, which is why they pay close to even odds.
One team will be the favorite, giving away the runs. The other is the underdog, taking the runs. Bets on the favorite win when that team wins by more than the run line. Bets on the underdog win when the underdog wins outright or loses by less than the run line.
For example, the Astros might be -1.5 (-110) favorites in Game 1 of the World Series over the Braves at +1.5 (-110). Either way, you’ll have to bet $110 to win $100 (plus your bet back).
However, bets on the Braves win if they win outright or lose by a single run. Bets on the Astros win if Houston prevails by two or more runs.
World Series totals
Sportsbooks post totals for every World Series game. Your job is to pick whether the total runs scored in that game will be over or under a line set by sportsbooks. The lines are set so that each side pays close to even odds.
Sportsbooks may set the line for Game 1 of the World Series at O/U 5.5 (-110). Bet $110 on the over, and you'll collect a total of $210 if the teams score six or more runs combined. Bet $110 on the under, and you'll collect a total of $210 if the teams score five or fewer runs combined.
See more: Today's MLB betting lines
Beyond World Series game lines
Of course, you can bet on other aspects of every World Series game. Let’s explore the possibilities.
World Series 5-Inning lines
Sportsbooks will post a five-inning line for World Series games. This is essentially a moneyline bet on the performance of the starting pitchers. Starters last an average of five innings in MLB games, and your job here is to pick which team will be ahead after five.
The odds work like standard moneyline bets and usually reflect the quality of each starting pitcher.
World Series team and player props
Sportsbooks will post team and player props surrounding each World Series game and the entire series. These are generally over/unders that ask you to bet against lines set by sportsbooks at odds that are close to even.
The props might also be “yes” or “no” questions with odds based on probability. Props may surround stats like RBI, home runs, or strikeouts.
See more: Today's MLB prop odds
More MLB futures odds
While the World Series futures market is the most popular MLB betting market, licensed online sportsbooks will post other MLB futures odds, including:
- Team Regular Season Win Totals
- Division Winners
- Teams Earning a Place in the Postseason
- American or National League Championship Series Winners
- MLB Award Winners (MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, etc.)
History’s biggest World Series bet
The largest legal bet on the World Series ever recorded happened just last season. Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, a Houston furniture store owner, bet close to $10 million on the Astros winning the 2022 World Series.
McIngvale has placed similar bets for years on the Super Bowl and World Series as a part of a sales promo at his stores, but this was his biggest bet yet.
The promos involve McIngvale placing a futures bet on a team to win the World Series or Super Bowl. Then, he offers refunds to store shoppers if he wins. The theory is the sales will cover the losses, and the wins will cover the refunds, but McIngvale has increased his bets to some lofty heights.
He’s now considered one of the biggest sports bettors in the country. When the Astros won the 2022 World Series, McIngvale collected upwards of $75 million, the biggest win in legal sports betting history. Plus, tons of Texans walked away with free furniture.
See more: Best MLB betting bonuses & promos
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