The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2025 season as the overwhelming betting favorite after winning the National League West and ultimately taking down the Yankees in five games in last year’s World Series. BetMGM’s latest data shows that the Dodgers have attracted the most interest in the futures market.
World Series Insights
Highest Ticket%:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (17.5%)
- New York Mets (8.7%)
- Philadelphia Phillies (8.6%)
Highest Handle%:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (37.8%)
- New York Mets (9.4%)
- New York Yankees (7.7%)
Bettors have been heavily backing the Dodgers, as their handle percentage nearly quadruples that of the second-highest team, the New York Mets (+1200). The New York Yankees‘ (+900) presence in the top three for handle percentage suggests sharp money is still considering New York a viable threat to make another deep postseason run. Last season’s NL East winners, the Philadelphia Phillies (+1100), remain a favorite of the public with a very dangerous lineup.
Biggest Liabilities:
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Boston Red Sox
- New York Mets
The Dodgers’ ticket and handle percentage dominance makes them the book’s largest liability, but the Boston Red Sox (+1800) and New York have also drawn considerable interest. The Red Sox, despite finishing third in the AL East last season, have been a popular pick for futures bettors, likely due to their improving roster and strong offensive production.
AL Pennant Betting Trends
The American League appears to be a highly competitive race, with multiple teams drawing betting action. The New York Yankees enter as the favorite at +350, but the Boston Red Sox are drawing the most bets and money.
AL Pennant Favorite:
- New York Yankees (+350)
Highest Ticket%:
- Boston Red Sox (18.9%)
Highest Handle%:
- Boston Red Sox (22.4%)
Biggest Liability:
- Boston Red Sox
Despite finishing behind both the Yankees and Orioles in the AL East last season, the Red Sox have generated the most futures bets for the AL Pennant. Boston revamped their roster, adding AL Cy Young favorite Garrett Crochet (+375) via trade with the Chicago White Sox while signing former Houston Astros slugger Alex Bregman. The Red Sox are a legitimate threat to win the American League, with the fourth-shortest odds at +800. Their offense should improve on solid 2024 numbers, where they finished ninth in MLB runs scored (742) and ninth in home runs (194). Improvements and a rich tradition have made them an appealing futures play in the AL.
NL Pennant Betting Trends
The Los Angeles Dodgers once again headline the National League and led in nearly every betting metric last season. The Dodgers enter as the clear favorite at +120, and the betting volume supports their standing as the team to beat in the NL.
NL Pennant Favorite:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (+120)
Highest Ticket%:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (20.4%)
Highest Handle%:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (34.1%)
Biggest Liability:
- Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds (+3000), who finished fourth in the NL Central last season at 77-85, have become one of the biggest liabilities for sportsbooks. Their young core and improved pitching depth make them an interesting dark-horse team. However, the Dodgers remain the consensus favorite, boasting one of the best offenses in baseball with the second-most runs and third-most homers last season. LA also boasted a top-15 team ERA (3.90) last season. That pitching staff was bolstered with the signing of two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, the No. 1 ranked MLB prospect for 2025.
2024 Season Stats to Remember
Their dominant 2024 regular season numbers support the Dodgers’ heavy backing in the futures market:
- Offensive Production: The Dodgers ranked second in the MLB in runs scored (842), trailing only the Arizona Diamondbacks and first in the NL in home runs (233).
- Pitching Depth: Los Angeles posted a solid ERA (3.90), supported by one of the best rotations in baseball, which only got better in the offseason. LA also strengthened their bullpen, adding Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates while re-signing Blake Treinen.
- Balanced Roster: With MLB’s best team OPS (.781) and a top-eight WHIP (1.23), the Dodgers have built a roster capable of another deep postseason run.
Other key contenders include the Yankees, Phillies, and Red Sox, each of whom had strong offensive performances in 2024. The Yankees, despite falling in last year’s World Series, finished leading the league in home runs (237) and AL in OPS (.761), while the Phillies finished in the top five in slugging percentage (.425).
As the 2025 season unfolds, betting trends and team performances will continue to evolve, but early futures action suggests another deep October run for the Dodgers.
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