It may be hard to believe but we are less than 75 days from MLB opening day. It seems like just yesterday the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first back-to-back champions in more than two decades.
Yet somehow, the 2026 season has snuck up on us like a croc stalking its prey on the shoreline.
Despite how close the season is, there are still several big-name free agents that could change the tide of the upcoming campaign.
Players like Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Framber Valdez, and Cody Bellinger are all high-end talents that could round out a roster and propel them into World Series contention. Until they find their landing spots, though, we only have so much information to work with when predicting the next World Series champs.
As always, Vegas oddsmakers tend to know best, so anyone hoping to peer into a crystal ball before the start of the season might be inclined to look at betting odds.
Here is every MLB team ranked based on its 2026 World Series odds. All odds via BetMGM.
Power ranking MLB teams by 2026 World Series odds
The favorites
1) Los Angeles Dodgers: +300
2) New York Yankees: +800
3) Philadelphia Phillies: +1100
T-4) Seattle Mariners: +1300
T-4) Toronto Blue Jays: +1300
6) Houston Astros: +1400
7) New York Mets: +1600
T-8) Atlanta Braves: +1800
T-8) Boston Red Sox: +1800
T-8) Chicago Cubs: +1800
Let’s get something straight. The pick should be the Dodgers. It’s always the Dodgers. Until the moment they are mathematically eliminated from World Series contention, they should be the betting favorites to win another World Series. From now until the end of time, this will be an undeniable truth. Outside of them, though, the Boston Red Sox could be an interesting pick.
Not only do they play in the American League, making their path to the World Series slightly easier, but they boast one of the most well-rounded lineups in MLB. Couple that with a bullpen that ranked second in the league in ERA during the regular season and the addition of Sonny Gray to the rotation, and there’s reason to be excited even with the loss of Alex Bregman. The only issue is that the Red Sox play in the AL East alongside the Yankees and Blue Jays. That could be a tough division to come out of cleanly.
The dark horses
11) Baltimore Orioles: +2200
T-12) Milwaukee Brewers: +2500
T-12) San Diego Padres: +2500
T-14) Cleveland Guardians: +3000
T-14) Detroit Tigers: +3000
T-16) Cincinnati Reds: +4000
T-16) Kansas City Royals: +4000
T-16) San Francisco Giants: +4000
I feel like we are underestimating the Detroit Tigers after their disappointing second half of 2025. This is still a team that boasts outstanding depth, solid defense, great platoon options, and has bolstered its bullpen with the addition of Kenley Jansen.
While their offense lacks that elite superstar you’d expect for a team contending for a World Series, their starting pitching is still able to contend with anyone in the league, making them a serious threat if they get hot at the right moment.
The underdogs
T-19) Tampa Bay Rays: +5000
T-19) Texas Rangers: +5000
21) Arizona Diamondbacks: +6600
T-22) Minnesota Twins: +10000
T-22) Athletics: +10000
I said it all throughout last year, but the Athletics are a few good pitchers away from being terrifying. They were above league average in basically every offensive statistic, including runs, OPS, and home runs, even ranking top-7 in many of those statistics. However, their pitching doomed them in 2025. Not a single starting pitcher posted an ERA under 4.0 last year. That should change though.
Luis Severino and Jeffery Springs are too good to let their down 2025 seasons define them. While the loss of Mason Miller is certainly a huge blow to the Athletics’ bullpen, the team has enough depth in its pen to overcome that loss. If the A’s can find consistency with two of their starters going into 2026, then they could turn some heads in a division that could be more wide open than expected.
The longshots
T-24) Miami Marlins: +15000
T-24) Pittsburgh Pirates: +15000
T-24) St. Louis Cardinals: +15000
27) Los Angeles Angels: +25000
T-28) Chicago White Sox: +50000
T-28) Colorado Rockies: +50000
T-28) Washington Nationals: +50000
Are any of these teams good options? No, but if you’re a diehard fan rooting for teams at the bottom of the barrel to climb into elite territory, then the Washington Nationals are a sneaky pick.
Sure, their pitching is still questionable at best, and their bullpen has not done nearly enough to contend with the best teams in the league, but they could have some sneaky good bats heading into 2026. Obviously, CJ Abrams and James Wood have proven themselves before, but if former top prospects Robert Hassell III and Dylan Crews can also find a groove, then the Nationals could boast a very solid middle of their lineup. While that alone won’t be enough to contend, the Nationals have more potential slotted into their depth chart than anyone else in this tier.
When does the MLB season begin?
The MLB season begins with a singular game, Yankees vs. Giants, on Wednesday, March 25. The next day, there will be a 14-game slate featuring every other MLB team, the earliest traditional Opening Day in MLB history.
Spring training begins on Friday, February 20.