World Series odds update: Yankees, Dodgers co-favored at season's midpoint
We're nearly halfway through this 2022 MLB season, and the two best teams have been none other than the preseason favorite Dodgers and Yankees - who are favored to face off in this year's World Series for the first time in four decades.
Both clubs are priced at +450 to win the Fall Classic, though New York boasts the best record in baseball (55-20) ahead of the season's halfway point. Los Angeles (45-28) doesn't even own the NL's best record - that belongs to the Mets (47-28). However, the Dodgers have held pole position atop the oddsboard since opening as a short favorite back in November.
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +450 |
| New York Yankees | +450 |
| Houston Astros | +600 |
| New York Mets | +750 |
| Atlanta Braves | +1100 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +1100 |
| San Diego Padres | +1200 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +2000 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +2800 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +3000 |
| San Francisco Giants | +3100 |
| Boston Red Sox | +3300 |
| Chicago White Sox | +3300 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +3700 |
| Minnesota Twins | +4000 |
| Cleveland Guardians | +7500 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +8500 |
| Seattle Mariners | +15000 |
| Miami Marlins | +20000 |
| Texas Rangers | +25000 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +50000 |
| Baltimore Orioles | +75000 |
| Chicago Cubs | +75000 |
| Colorado Rockies | +75000 |
| Detroit Tigers | +75000 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +75000 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +100000 |
| Kansas City Royals | +100000 |
| Oakland Athletics | +100000 |
| Washington Nationals | +100000 |
The Dodgers and Yankees - former crosstown rivals - have faced off in the Fall Classic a record 11 times but not since 1981, when a midseason strike nixed 713 games that year. Following a lengthy lockout this winter, both teams entered the season as favorites to win their respective leagues and have each earned their spot atop the title oddsboard.
The Yankees have made it look easy since April when they ripped off a 24-5 run after a .500 start through the first 10 games. Since May 31, New York has won 22 of 27 games behind MVP favorite Aaron Judge, who paces all qualified hitters in home runs (28) and total runs scored (60) entering Wednesday.
Don't sleep on the Dodgers' loaded lineup, either, even with recent MVP favorite Mookie Betts on the mend. Star slugger Freddie Freeman (.874 OPS) has lived up to expectations this season, while the team's already lethal staff has become even more dangerous with the emergence of Tony Gonsolin (1.58 ERA) and Tyler Anderson (3.23).
Los Angeles still trails the Mets (+750) in the NL standings, which is a testament to New York's resilience through a turbulent first half of the season. Former multi-time Cy Young winners Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom should rejoin the rotation in the coming weeks, though that can't come soon enough after the team's blowout loss to the Astros (+600). Houston joins the Yankees, Dodgers, and Mets as the only teams priced shorter than 10-1.
C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.