Astros listed as small favorites to repeat as World Series Champs

Based on future odds set by sportsbooks, we may see a rematch of the 2017 World Series between the American League’s Houston Astros and National League’s Los Angeles Dodgers. The defending World Series champion Astros are +500 betting favorites to repeat in 2018, with the Dodgers right behind them at +550.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Houston is coming off a thrilling seven-game World Series win over Los Angeles, the second to go the distance in as many years and third in the previous four. With some of the best young talent in baseball in second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa plus two top starting pitchers in Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander, the Astros seem poised to repeat as AL pennant winners as well.

Verlander’s arrival from the Detroit Tigers in a late-season trade put them over the top for their playoff run, and his current contract will keep him in Houston three more years through 2020.