We've reached a calm before the proverbial storm as the World Series odds board has reached something of a standstill.
MLB odds haven't moved since last week's update, as the Los Angeles Dodgers are still leading the pack.
However, the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals have had strong stretches, so we'll look at the hottest and coldest teams in MLB for this week's World Series odds update.
2025 World Series winner odds
World Series odds analysis
The Kansas City Royals had all of 18 home runs, the fewest in MLB, entering play on Sunday. They then proceeded to set a new franchise record with seven home runs in a single game.
Bangers only. 💥 pic.twitter.com/EJum3bPnNO
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 4, 2025
They still only have more home runs than one team (the Toronto Blue Jays) but the lack of power hasn't prevented the Royals from winning games. KC has gone 8-2 in their last 10 to pull within three games of the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers (who have won seven of 10 themselves).
Bobby Witt Jr. is his predictable MVP-caliber self, slashing .306/.379/.493 with four homers and nine stolen bases while continuing to play an elite defensive shortstop. The guy has no holes in his game. Run prevention, however, has been the key. Kansas City's 3.16 ERA is second in the AL (behind Detroit) and that's in spite of ace Cole Ragans posting a 4.40 ERA (his expected ERA is just 2.45, though, suggesting their staff numbers should be even better.
The only other team to go 8-2 in the last 10 entering the week are the Seattle Mariners, who have surged to the top of the AL West despite injuries to Logan Gilbert and George Kirby.
And for a third consecutive year, outfielder Julio Rodriguez is off to a slow start at the plate, batting just .212 in 33 games. He does have five home runs and 16 RBI, though, and his .245 BABIP screams positive regression. Nevertheless, Cal Raleigh and Jorge Polanco have kept the team afloat offensively.
Despite the positive results, neither team has seen its odds improve. However, that will change if this success is sustained a bit longer. The Royals return to Kauffman Stadium to host the Chicago White Sox for four and the Boston Red Sox for three this week while the Mariners play the A's (second in the AL West) and Blue Jays this week.
2025 World Series odds over time
Here's a look at how World Series odds stacked up across MLB throughout the offseason. We'll be updating this chart throughout the 2025 season.
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World Series betting splits
Highest ticket percentage:
• Dodgers 16.2%
• Phillies 9.4%
• Yankees 7.7%
Highest handle percentage:
• Dodgers 33.2%
• Mets 8.8%
• Yankees 7.7%
Data courtesy of BetMGM.
"Bettors love the Dodgers' chances of repeating," says Hal Egeland, Trading Strategy Manager, BetMGM. "The Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox are also popular picks to win it all."
Past World Series winners
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series by toppling the New York Yankees in five games.
Here are the last 10 World Series winners, along with their opening odds.
| Season | Winner | Opening odds | Runner up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |  Los Angeles Dodgers |
+320 |  New York Yankees |
| 2023 |  Texas Rangers |
+5,000 |  Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2022 |  Houston Astros |
+800 |  Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2021 |  Atlanta Braves |
+1,000 | Houston Astros |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
+600 |  Tampa Bay Rays |
| 2019 |  Washington Nationals |
+1,800 | Houston Astros |
| 2018 |  Boston Red Sox |
+1,200 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2017 | Houston Astros |
+1,600 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2016 |  Chicago Cubs |
+1,050 |  Cleveland Guardians |
| 2015 |  Kansas City Royals |
+1,500 |  New York Mets |
Teams with most World Series titles
| Team | World Series titles | Most recent championship |
|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees |
27 | 2009 |
 St. Louis Cardinals |
11 | 2011 |
 Oakland A's |
9 | 1989 |
| Boston Red Sox |
9 | 2018 |
 San Francisco Giants |
8 | 2014 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers |
8 | 2024 |
 Cincinnati Reds |
5 | 1990 |
 Pittsburgh Pirates |
5 | 1979 |
 Detroit Tigers |
4 | 1984 |
| Atlanta Braves |
4 | 2021 |
| Chicago Cubs |
3 | 2016 |
 Baltimore Orioles |
3 | 1983 |
 Minnesota Twins |
3 | 1991 |
 Chicago White Sox |
3 | 2005 |
The New York Yankees are the most decorated team in MLB history, and it isn't close. In addition to winning a whopping 27 titles, they've played in 41 World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers are second all-time with 22 World Series appearances while the St. Louis Cardinals have won the second-most championships at 11.
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World Series Odds FAQs
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the current betting favorites over the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets.
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games to win the 2024 World Series.
The World Series has been a best-of-seven series with a 2-3-2 format since 1922.
Since 2017, home-field advantage has been awarded to the team with the better winning percentage in the regular season.
The cash-strapped Florida Marlins entered the 2003 season with +7,500 odds to win it all after finishing four games below .500 the year before. Oddsmakers seemed to be right as the club got off to a sluggish 16-22 start, but a managerial change and some inspired play led to a second half surge and the Fish downed the heavily-favored Yankees in six games in the Fall Classic.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the best odds to win the 2025 World Series after winning in 2024.
