Opening Day is right around the corner, and as teams get prepared for the MLB regular season schedule, fans around the nation remain optimistic that this could be their team’s year. With so much anticipation, let’s take a look at a couple of the favorites from each league to win the World Series in 2021.
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National League World Series Contenders
Los Angeles Dodgers (+350)
Having won the World Series in 2020, it is no surprise that the Los Angeles Dodgers would have the best odds in all of baseball to win in 2021.
Already returning a solid team, the Dodgers enhanced their odds by plucking arguably the top free agent off the market in starting pitcher Trevor Bauer. Last season, with the Reds, Bauer went 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA, 0.795 WHIP and struck out 100 in 73 innings. That performance was good enough to win the NL Cy Young award.
He is added to a rotation that already includes Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. That trio is easily one of the best in all of baseball.
Offensively, the Dodgers will once again be led by Mookie Betts (.292/.366/.562, 16 home runs, 39 RBI, 47 runs, 10 stolen bases in 219 at-bats) and Cody Bellinger (.239/.333/.455, 12 home runs, 30 RBI).
What makes the Dodgers so tough, though, is they not only have star talent but depth in both the roster and their minor leagues. It is no wonder they are the favorites again.
San Diego Padres (+800)
Trying to dethrone the Dodgers, both in the NL West and for the World Series, are the San Diego Padres.
The Padres also made waves in the offseason, solidifying their rotation by trading for Yu Darvish and Blake Snell. Last season with the Cubs, Darvish went 8-3 in 12 starts with a 2.01 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.
Snell helped the Rays get to the World Series last season. During the regular season, he went 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and struck out 63 in 50 innings.
Offensively, the Padres are led by superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. After signing a massive 14-year, $340 million contract, Tatis will look to have a big year. In the shortened season of 2020, he hit .277/.366/.571 with 17 home runs, 45 runs batted in, 50 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.
Between Tatis, Manny Machado, Trent Grisham and others, this team will be able to put up runs in a hurry.
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American League World Series Contenders
New York Yankees (+550)
It seems like every year, the New York Yankees put themselves in a position to be a strong contender for the World Series. Still, the Bronx Bombers are looking for their first World Series championship since 2009.
The Yankees lineup can terrorize opponents throughout, but one of the keys for them is health. Both Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge have struggled to stay on the field consistently. In fact, last season, they combined for just 177 at-bats during the regular season.
On the pitching side, the Yankees have arguably one of the best starters in MLB in Gerrit Cole. In 2020, Cole went 7-3 in his first season with New York. Over 12 starts, he had a 2.84 ERA, 0.959 WHIP and struck out 94 in 73 innings.
Behind him in the rotation is where there are the most question marks. The rest of the rotation includes Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Montgomery and either Domingo German or Deivi Garcia. These are very high-risk, high-reward pieces, especially Kluber and Taillon.
Chicago White Sox (+850)
The White Sox are one of the most exciting young teams in baseball, and their offseason only helped their World Series chances. Not only did they bring in a Hall of Famer in Tony La Russa to manage them, but they shored up their pitching staff with starter Lance Lynn and closer Liam Hendricks.
With Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Lynn, the White Sox have a very formidable top of the rotation. Another name to watch is Dylan Cease, who the White Sox hope may be able to take strides forward similar to what Giolito has done over the last couple of years.
Unfortunately, the White Sox received some brutal news recently as outfielder Eloy Jimenez is out for the next five to six months due to a torn pectoral muscle. He sustained the injury trying to rob a home run during a spring training game. Last season, Jimenez hit .296/.332/.559 with 14 home runs and 41 runs batted in.
The White Sox will still host a solid offense led by reigning American League MVP Jose Abreu, Luis Robert, Yoan Moncada, Yasmani Grandal and others.
Other Notables
While these are the favorites from each league, some other notable contenders include the Atlanta Braves (+1000), New York Mets (+1000), Minnesota Twins (+1800), St. Louis Cardinals (+2200), Toronto Blue Jays (+2200) and Houston Astros (+2500).
