World Series Odds 2017 Update: New Teams Emerge As Series Favorites As 40-Game Mark Approaches

Back in early March when the odds to win the 2017 World Series started to become a relevant topic once again, it seemed every sportsbook in Las Vegas was already handing the World Series trophy to the Chicago Cubs for the second consecutive year. However, now that the season is in full swing, and most teams have hit the 40-game mark, or what many experts like to refer to as the end of the first quarter of play, several surprising squads are starting to prove that they are more than capable to make a run at this year’s World Series championship.

Calvin Ayre indicates that while last year’s representatives in the 2016 World Series, the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians have both gotten off to less-than-stellar starts, there still is plenty of time to right the ship. The Cubs are still listed as the favorites, but they have fallen from 13/5 to 5/1. They also have a few teams sneaking up on them — the most productive of late being the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and Washington Nationals.

The Houston Astros currently hold the best record in baseball at 29-12 with a whopping winning percentage of.707. Houston is 9-1 in their last 10 games and currently riding a four-game winning streak as they prepare for a huge home-stand that will see them take on three of the better slugging teams in the American League over the next 10 days.

Houston will host the Cleveland Indians for three straight games starting on Friday, May 19th. When the Tribe leaves town, the Detroit Tigers will move in for a four-game series beginning on Monday, May 22. If those two teams don’t get your attention for all the slugging power they have, next Friday Houston will host the red hot Baltimore Orioles for a three-game set before they head back on the road to take on the Minnesota Twins.

The New York Yankees are off to a great start in 2017, and it seems like once in doubt Bronx Bombers are now one of the teams to beat in the AL East division. Young talent like Aaron Judge and Starlin Castro have gotten off to great starts so far this season. The Yankees have one of the best bullpens in all of baseball, which is why they should be in the postseason race until the very end.

New York has seen their World Series odds shrink from 20/1 to 12/1.

Last but not least are the Washington Nationals.

It shouldn’t surprise many that they are starting to play better, however in the Nationals case, they have to play better. One of the heavy favorites to win the World Series last year and this season as well, Washington has moved from an early season 15/1 to 17/2.

When you have names like Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg – just to name a few, you will always have the proverbial World Series or bust target on your back.

Two other teams making some serious moves upward on the World Series odds board are the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Both listed at over 40/1 to start the season, the Rockies are now set at 17/1 odds, while the D-backs are up to 30/1. If you had placed any wagers on either one of these two teams at the beginning of the season, you are in for a huge payday if one of these teams two can win the 2017 World Series!

Below is a look at the current 2017 World Series odds as of May 18 according to Vegas Insider.

World Series Odds 2017

Chicago Cubs 5/1
Houston Astros — 6/1
Cleveland Indians — 15/2
Boston Red Sox — 8/1
Washington Nationals — 17/2
Los Angeles Dodgers — 12/1
New York Yankees — 12/1
St. Louis Cardinals — 15/1
Colorado Rockies — 17/1
Baltimore Orioles — 20/1
New York Mets — 22/1
Arizona Diamondbacks — 30/1
Toronto Blue Jays — 30/1
Detroit Tigers — 35/1
Texas Rangers — 35/1
Minnesota Twins — 45/1
Seattle Mariners — 45/1
San Francisco Giants — 60/1
Kansas City Royals — 65/1
Pittsburgh Pirates — 65/1
Los Angeles Angels — 80/1
Tampa Bay Rays — 90/1
Miami Marlins — 100/1
Milwaukee Brewers — 100/1
Cincinnati Reds — 125/1
Oakland Athletics — 175/1
Chicago White Sox — 200/1
Philadelphia Phillies — 275/1
Atlanta Braves — 325/1
San Diego Padres — 450/1

[Featured Image by Eric Christian Smith/Getty Images]