There is no overstating their dominance. Or their spending habits, for that matter. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the premier team in the MLB, and their assertiveness is captured in every futures betting market. Moreover, their on-field play reflects that betting confidence early in 2026.
With that, are there any teams who can catch the Dodgers this season or is it just a formality for them to capture their third straight World Series title?
Dodgers Dominance
Last year, LA got off to a more conservative start. They needed virtually all of the 162-game campaign to claim the NL West title, fending off the San Diego Padres until the final series. That’s akin to their playoff run, needing late-game heroics to steal victory from the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series.
Already, this year has a very different feel. The Dodgers are tied for the second-best record in baseball, looking dominant in every facet of the game. The NL West leaders rank tops in OPS, complemented by the third-best team ERA in the bigs. The betting market has caught onto their winning ways, inflating the Dodgers’ already league-leading odds.
Heading into May, the Dodgers’ World Series odds have ticked up from +350 to +190. That implies that sportsbooks are giving LA a 34.5% chance of claiming yet another title. Predictably, that move was prompted by an influx of sharp and public support. As it stands, the Dodgers are being written on 12.1% of tickets, accounting for a mind-numbing 26.0% of the handle.
Naturally, BetMGM and other sportsbooks with similar exposure will continue to ratchet the Dodgers higher throughout the season.
Intra-Divisional Competition
Like last season, the Dodgers’ fiercest competition could come from within the division. The San Diego Padres are trying to take the next step in their development and go on an extended postseason run. That starts with securing a division title and earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Constantly playing the Dodgers’ imposing shadow, the Padres have asserted themselves as early-season World Series contenders. They sit just a half-game back of LA for top spot in the NL West, boasting a 19-10 record, but still aren’t getting the betting respect they deserve.
San Diego sits a distant +3000 in World Series futures betting, curiously moving down from its opening price of +2200. That reverse line movement could be an attempt to spur more betting action, as the Friars are collecting just 2.2% of tickets and 2.6% of the betting handle.
The MLB season is a marathon not a sprint. If injuries are an issue for the Dodgers again this season, don’t be surprised if the Padres usurp them for the NL West crown. That could be the difference between another early-playoff exit and an unsuspecting run to the World Series.
Surprising Braves
The NL East was always going to be a mess. The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are dealing with aging and ill-constructed rosters, putting them at an immediate disadvantage against the usually competitive Atlanta Braves. The NL East leaders have emerged as the hottest commodity in baseball, and their betting odds reflect their 2026 ascent.
Atlanta has been unstoppable of late. With the best ERA in the MLB and the second-best OPS, the Braves have found a healthy balance to sustain their .700 winning percentage. As expected, the betting community has taken note, and adjusted their futures positions accordingly.
Previously, the Braves were a mid-range betting option, oscillating in the +2000 range. Since the start of the season, those odds have nearly been cut in half, dropping to +1300. While they are only collecting 3.9% of tickets and 4.3% of handle, that puts them among the top-four most bet NL teams in both categories.
Everyone is fawning over the Dodgers, Phillies, and Mets, but the Braves have quietly asserted themselves as contenders.
AL Contenders
This is looking way down the line, but it’s entirely possible that an AL team derails the Dodgers’ Championship aspirations. Only one team can hold that honor, and it could come down to either of the last two teams to do it.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have reclaimed their status as an elite baseball team. Tied with LA with a pristine 20-10 record, the Bronx Bombers have been virtually unstoppable in a crowded AL playoff picture.
The Yankees have never been short on public betting support. That’s the case again this season. New York ranks second in terms of ticket and handle, coming in at 9.3% and 8.3%, respectively. As inferred, that represents a significant shift relative to their National League counterparts.
Specifically, the difference between ticket and handle implies that most of the support is coming from public backers. Still, don’t be surprised if the Yankees start to garner sharper support as the season progresses.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays represent the other side of the sharp vs. public dichotomy. The reigning AL Champions have collected a more prominent share of the sharp market. It won’t be long before they reverse course on their sluggish start to the season.
Heading into the second month of the season, the Jays sit three games below .500. While the betting odds are pointing in the opposite direction, betting support is on the rise. Toronto has gone from +1800 to +2000 despite earning the third-highest handle (7.3%) across MLB teams.
The Blue Jays were in the same position last season. A slow start did nothing to hamper their long-term outcome, and we’re predicting another successful campaign north of the border.
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
