MBL is no longer an event only enjoyed by Americans. Long before this season’s electrifying opening game took place in Seoul, South Korea, international fans have been tuning in wherever they are to watch legendary teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees face off.
Now that this year’s season is in full swing, the hottest question on everyone’s mind is this: who will fight their way to the title and lift the Commissioner’s Trophy near the end of this exciting year? Right now, it’s anyone’s guess. Let’s see the clear favorites. Chief among them? The Atlanta Braves.
The Atlanta Braves are no strangers to victory. Even though they weren’t able to hold onto their 2021 series title for long, the strength and experience of their star players and coaches make them firm favorites for this year’s championship title. After an amazingly powerful opening weekend against the Phillies this season and years of experience at their backs, the team’s offensive power should not be underestimated.
The team hasn’t managed to enjoy a completely flawless season. Even though they’re racking up wins, seasoned Braves catcher Sean Murphy sustained a strain to his oblique in a recent matchup. Fortunately, this injury shouldn’t keep him grounded for long, and as long as star players avoid serious injuries throughout the season, they could find themselves facing off for the cup at the finals.
The Los Angeles Dodgers
After spending record-breaking amounts of money to secure two-way star Shohei Ohtani, it’s abundantly clear that the LA Dodgers are sparing no expense to line their team up for victory. With wholesome family man Ohtani on the team, the Dodger’s 2024 lineup features a terrifying amount of raw baseball talent.
But hot new talent isn’t the only reason why the Dodgers are so highly favored by sportsbooks the world over. After a truly impressive display of skill from Tyler Glasnow for a recent 6-3 win over the Minnesota Twins, it seems as though the Dodgers are a real force to be reckoned with.
While the season is still young, it’s easy to peg the Dodgers as the most likely victors. But the brighter they shine, the more motivated other teams will become to try to outmaneuver them. It only takes a few mistakes or unlucky injuries to topple a dominant stance.
The New York Yankees
The Yankees are strong contenders for the showdown. Even though they lost out on securing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who instead chose to sign with the Dodgers, the Yankees did successfully manage to nab Juan Soto for the season. This is a major move towards potential victory, as Soto is a strong player.
So strong, that Soto is considered to have one of the greatest all-time starts to a career ever. With the addition of talented new players to an already competitive roster and some important wins already under their belt, it’s no surprise that the odds for this team’s victory remain so favorable.
The Houston Astros
Experience should never be underestimated. This is a fact that is well understood by bookmakers and a major reason why the Houston Astros have such good-looking odds behind a potential title win. Now that Josh Hader has been added to the lineup, championship dominance is on the cards.
The Astros battle-proven veterans José Altuve and Alex Bregman are a real threat for the other teams hoping for the win. Along with these powerhouses, the team’s seasoned core hitters Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker are also back for 2024. Such a strong collection of players should give the other teams a run for their money. Even if the Astros don’t make it to the end, they’ll be giving every team they face off against a serious challenge.
It’s anyone’s game
Even though it might seem clear that one of these favored teams will probably secure the title, experienced fans know that anything could happen. Predictions are tricky things. Even with all the information in the world, experts cannot account for every upset. A handful of injuries, mistakes, or upsets all have significant potential to topple a leader and replace a dominant team with a motivated underdog. Until the final game is over, nobody can know for sure who will hold the cup.
Just because not every team has favorable odds to win right now, this doesn’t mean they have no shot at all. The reigning champion Texas Rangers or squads full of fresh faces new to the scene could make history if they’re skilled and dedicated enough.
Experienced betting fans will be quick to point out that the season isn’t over yet. Every single individual game has the potential to change the MLB odds. As the season goes on, it will become a lot more clear which team has a shot at winning. But, this unpredictability is part of the fun.
Instead of only focusing on the final result of the final game, it’s better to tune in and enjoy every match of the season. Considering the amount of talent on display this year, baseball fans across the globe are in for a wild and endlessly exciting ride.
