Bettors have the opportunity to buy on the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series odds at various price points, leaving sportsbooks vulnerable when the Fall Classic begins Friday.
Key Takeaways
- The Dodgers are the most-bet team in BetMGM’s World Series winner market by money and handle.
- Toronto-based BET99 saw a significant 300% year-over-year increase in ALCS wagering.
- The Blue Jays have gone from +7,500 to +180 to win the Fall Classic.
With the National League-winning Los Angeles Dodgers having short odds much of the season, the Blue Jays carry a lot of liability, especially from a Canadian operator. Toronto-based BET99 Sportsbook told Covers on Tuesday that it was taking preseason bets even when the AL champs' odds to win it all were astronomical.
“A massive liability has been building on the Jays throughout the season, including preseason tickets at 75 to 1,” BET99 manager Cliff Adelman said. “If Toronto goes all the way, it could be one for the books!”
The Dodgers, with current odds of -220 to win MLB’s championship, are the most-bet team by money (26.5%) and bets (14%) in BetMGM’s World Series winner market this season. The Blue Jays have 8.1% of the tickets and 9.6% of the handle.
ESPN BET said it’s seen 30.8% of the tickets and 29.1% of the futures market handle on L.A., while the Blue Jays are getting 7.9% of the bets and 9.7% of the money.
Winding road
In the preseason, Los Angeles was a +250 favorite to win the World Series. The Blue Jays, however, were +6,000 at BetMGM and +7,500 at ESPN BET. During the season, Toronto got as long as +6,000. The Blue Jays trailed in the AL East by as many as eight games in late May, the last time they were below .500 overall after getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Toronto was still at +1,800 at ESPN BET at the All-Star break, when the team was 55-41. The Blue Jays, who ultimately won the division, entered the playoffs at +650, dipped as short as +300 after taking a 2-0 lead over the Yankees, and stayed there after reaching the ALCS. However, the odds went to +2,200 after falling behind 2-0 to start the series against the Mariners, but that rose to +375 when the ALCS was tied.
Toronto captured the AL pennant with a dramatic 4-3 series win Monday night to reach the franchise’s first World Series since 1993.
“BET99 traders were expecting a wave of Jays action, and fans delivered,” Adelman said. “Betting volume was up 300% from last season’s ALCS, with 90% of bets on Toronto to advance. Needless to say, the result was a rough morning for the trading team.
“With comeback wins all season long, Jays fans knew the script. Bettors jumped on live betting odds as high as +425 before Springer’s clutch home run (in Game 7).”
Look ahead
Now, the Blue Jays enter the best-of-seven series as +180 underdogs against Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers, who have received 56.7% of the bets and 89.9% of the handle since the end of Monday night’s game at ESPN BET.
The Dodgers opened as -150 road favorites at BetMGM for Friday’s Game 1 and had received 81% of the money despite 54% of the bets being on the Blue Jays. The 7.5 total has seen 92% of the early money on the over.
