Next World Series Favorites: Dodgers Threepeat Odds

The confetti has apparently been swept from the streets of Los Angeles following (yet another) World Series celebratory parade.

That means it's not too soon to turn our eyes to the MLB odds for the next World Series. That's the 2026 World Series. Yes, 2026 is around the corner, people. I'm crossing my fingers that 2026 will be the year that flying cars finally hit the market. Zoom zoom.

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate World Series title [AP Photo]

Top Odds for Next World Series Winner

I selected these Fall Classic Odds from DraftKings, the new ESPN betting partner.

• LA Dodgers +370
• NY Yankees +750
• Phillies +1100
• Astros +1300
• Mariners +1300
• Mets +1500
• Red Sox +1600
• Braves +1600

A few thoughts on these odds:

• No National League team has ever won three consecutive World Series. Not the Big Red Machine. Not the 1960s Dodgers. Not even the 19-aught-Cubbies of the horse-and-buggy era.
• The Astros have the best odds among teams that failed to make the MLB Playoffs in 2025.
• The AL Champion Blue Jays are priced at +2000 to win the '26 World Series, according to the odds makers at DraftKings.
• The longest odds are the Washington Nationals at +50000. Which means a winning $10 bet on the Nats would earn you $10,000.

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Why the Dodgers Will Win a Third Straight World Series

Here are the starting pitchers the Dodgers have under contract for 2026:

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto
• Tyler Glasnow
• Blake Snell
• Shohei Ohtani
• Roki Sasaki
• Emmet Sheehan
• Tony Gonsolin

Six of those pitchers have been All-Stars, one has four MVP Awards, and another was just named the MVP of the World Series.

Even if the Dodgers don't add another arm (Tarik Skubal, anyone?), this bevy of pitchers will form an amazing 5-6 man rotation, with plenty of depth. The team can also resign Dustin May.

Why the Dodgers Won't Win the Next Fall Classic

Here's a topic not many experts are talking about: the Dodger lineup is getting old. Here are the ages of the probable position starters for 2026:

• C, Will Smith: 31
• 1B, Freddie Freeman: 36
• 2B, Tommy Edman: 31
• SS, Mookie Betts: 33
• 3B, Max Muncy: 35 (team option for 2026)
• LF, Someone young hopefully
• CF, Andy Pages: 25
• RF, Teoscar Hernandez: 33
• DH, Ohtani: 31

That would be the oldest lineup in baseball. The Dodgers were the oldest team in baseball in 2025, and of course they won it all. But, if anything is undefeated: it's Father Time. The bell is tolling, and Dodger position players should be aware, that it tolls for thee.

On top of the aging: Mookie Betts looked terrible in the postseason. Maybe he was playing with an injury. Or more likely, he's probably reached a point in his career where his skills will diminish quickly. That often happens to middle infielders in the age range of 31-33. Not many 33+ middle infielders are very good.

The Dodgers will need to start funneling young position players into the lineup. Outfielder Josue De Paula, the No. 1 ranked prospect in the organization, may find his way into the lineup. Alex Freeland could push Muncy away at the hot corner. But, younger help may need to come from outside the farm system. Kyle Tucker will be 29 next season, and he's a free agent. Or the Dodgers could spin some of their pitching prospects for a corner OF bat like Riley Greene from Detroit.

All that is to say, the Dodgers have real concerns in their lineup. The future Hall of Famers (Mookie, Freddie and Shohei) cannot all be MVP performers at this point in their careers.

Three Picks to win the MLB title

Here are three picks to supplant the LA Dodgers as champs of MLB next season.

Best pick among favorites: Seattle Mariners +1300

Stay away from the Guardians, Tigers, and Phillies. All of those teams have made deep runs in the postseason the last few seasons. But those teams are due for a regression. The Phillies will likely lose two big bats, and the Tigers are...well, the Tigers have been very lucky two years in a row.

Best choice among non-playoff teams: Baltimore Orioles +3000

Remember how a talented core of hitters took the Jays to the Fall Classic? It was only about three weeks ago. The Jays have a solid middle-of-the-order and a deep lineup.

That's the same strategy the Orioles can use in 2026. Consider these players: Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, and Samuel Basallo. All of those guys will be under 27 in 2026, expect Rutschman, who will be 28.

The O's only need to improve their pitching, which was better than it seemed this past season. In ERA, the Orioles were 13th in the AL. But by the better measure (FIP), Baltimore was just a tick below league average. The offense should be formidable enough to make the Orioles contenders.

Best longshot pick: San Francisco Giants +4000

The Giants have the space in their budget to improve their lineup (a leadoff man and left-handed bat will suffice) and tack on a few pitchers, preferably in the bullpen. All this team needs to do is add about 6-7 wins, and that will put them in playoff contention. Once you're in the tournament, anything can happen.