During the Major League Baseball offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers underwent several changes in both their squad and the front office. Despite the shake-up, sportsbooks still predicted the Dodgers to win the National League in 2018 and many expected them to win the World Series.
MLB betting: Are the Los Angeles Dodgers in danger of missing the World Series?
Now a month into the MLB season, and one of the biggest surprises is the poor start to the season the Dodgers have had. After 28 games, the Dodgers are eight games out of first place and sit four games below .500. As of May 1, Los Angeles has lost three straight games and it has been reported today that starting shortstop Cory Seager will miss the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery. With just one month of baseball played, it looks like things couldn’t get any worse for the Dodgers, or could it?
The good news for the Dodgers is it is only May and there are 134 games left in the regular season. There is still time to recover from the team’s terrible start.
Leading sportsbooks now have the Dodgers at +2000 to win the World Series, which is 11th best currently. It puts the team behind the likes of the New York Mets, Washington Nationals and West Division rivals the Arizona Diamondbacks. While the World Series could be a step too far, the Dodgers are +260 to recover and win the West; and the team is +900 to win the NL pennant.
Now for the bad news concerning all of those that wagered on the Dodgers to win the World Series. Just one MLB team in the last 19 seasons has won the World Series after finishing April with a record below .500. April is a key month to perform well and championship teams have shown in almost two decades that it is vital to get off to a good start.
The only team to win the World Series despite finishing April with a record below .500 were the Los Angeles Angels. The team accomplished the feat in 2002, but since then, 15 straight teams have finished with a .500 record or better in April. Last year’s World Series winners, the Houston Astros, registered a .640 win percentage in April.
MLB betting: Which team could win the World Series?
So, using this information, which teams have a shot at winning the 2018 World Series? Well, first let’s eliminate the teams that many considered to be World Series favorites when the season started. The Washington Nationals (.407) and Minnesota Twin (.363) were both considered contenders along with the Dodgers. Based on history, those teams will not win the World Series.
Right now, the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets and Chicago Cubs look good in the NL. But bettors shouldn’t count out the Pittsburgh Pirates or Milwaukee Brewers in the Central. In addition, while the Nationals won’t win the World Series, there is something to like about the Philadelphia Phillies.
Over in the American League, the Cleveland Indians are already running away with the Central, while a three horse race is developing in the East. Meanwhile, the Astros should run away with the AL West.
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