- The Los Angeles Dodgers are the betting favorites to win the 2021 World Series.
- The Dodgers were the betting favorites in a combined 78 regular season and playoff games played this season.
- BetOnline has the Dodgers as +450 favorites to win it all again next season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t done celebrating yet. The Dodgers won their first World Series in 32 years last Tuesday and the team has nothing in mind except savoring the sweet taste of victory. But while the team isn’t looking ahead yet, the sportsbooks are already busy updating the futures odds for the 2021 Fall Classic.
It’s never too early to start thinking about next season, right? #Dodgers open as 2021 World Series favorites https://t.co/Vfut8fOcAp
— True Blue LA (@truebluela) October 28, 2020
According to BetOnline, the Dodgers are a +450 to repeat as World Series champions. The powerhouse New York Yankees are second at +650 while the San Diego Padres are third at +800. Despite making it to the 2020 Fall Classic, the Tampa Bay Rays are fourth in the current odds board at +1000. You can argue with favorites 2 to 4 but there is no doubt that L.A. is favored to repeat next season.
Dodgers Went Wire To Wire
BREAKING: THE DODGERS WIN THEIR FIRST WORLD SERIES IN 32 YEARS AFTER DEFEATING THE TAMPA BAY RAYS 3-1 IN GAME 6 OF THE WORLD SERIES https://t.co/ULYZ0vUMSV
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) October 28, 2020
The Dodgers were literally favorites all-year long. They were the preseason favorites to win the World Series. They were the betting favorites in all 60 regular season and 18 playoff games they played this year. The regular season was a breeze as they took the National League’s best record six games ahead of Sand Diego Padres. However, the playoffs were a challenge.
Los Angeles battled back from a 3-1 deficit in the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves then they had to outlast a tough and stubborn Tampa Bay Rays team in six games during the World Series. But when all was said and done, the Dodgers won their seventh World Series and first title since 1988.
If you think going wire-to-wire last season was impressive, 2021 looks even better. While the other contenders have free agency worries, the Dodgers are set to contend at least for the next couple of seasons. With no major free agency worries, we’ll probably see the same Dodgers team next season.
Same Team Next Season
THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/rlvVkSwXhp
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 28, 2020
Of the nine starters in the Game 6 lineup last Tuesday, only Justin Turner will be a free agent this winter. Kike Hernandez and Joc Pederson are the only other positional players on the team’s 2020 World Series roster who have expired contracts.
Looking at the Dodgers who have live contracts, it’s only Cory Seager and Chris Taylor who are signed with the team until 2021. Everyone else is staying until at least 2022, with the likes of Cody Bellinger (2024), Will Smith (2026), and Mookie Betts (2032) locked up even longer.
Not only will the Dodgers have their starting rotation intact next season, they will have more muscle with the return of David Price who opted out of the current season due to family health reasons. Price has not pitched a single game for the Dodgers since he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox during the previous offseason.
Los Angeles’ bullpen could lose Blake Treinen, Pedro Baez, Alex Wood, and Jake McGee in free agency. Treinen, Baez, and Wood pitched important innings during their first two wins in the 2020 World Series. But even if all four leave, the Dodgers have discovered young talents Brusdar Gaterol and Victor Gonzalez on their way to the title.
Aside from pitching, the 2020 season also saw breakthrough performances from catcher Keibert Ruiz and infielder Gavin Luz who contributed to their 43-17 regular season. The Dodgers’ farm team is ranked 11th in the Majors despite losing Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Edwin Rios to their mother team. With all these going, the future looks bright for the Dodgers and tough for the rest of the league.
