2023 World Series odds: Atlanta Braves are the favorites at most sportsbooks

The MLB season, at times, can seem endless, but worry not; the MLB season is in its home stretch. There are some exciting playoff races, especially in the wildcard, as this is the first postseason with an expanded playoff bracket. 

The NL and AL will have their three division winners and three more teams with the best records getting wild card spots. The two division winners with the best records will get a first-round bye, while the worst record of division winners will be the higher-seeded team over the third wild card team to make the playoffs. 

Then, the 1st wild card team will be the higher seed over the 2nd wild card team. It should make for a very exciting playoff format, with every MLB team to make the playoffs fighting it out to lift the Commissioner's trophy as MLB champion. 

Let's break down the 2023 World Series odds and the teams most likely to win it all.

Odds to win the 2023 World Series

There is one thing throughout the odds: the Atlanta Braves are the favorite at all of the best legal sportsbooks. Those odds range from as low as about +230 at some sportsbooks but no higher than +250 at most legal sportsbooks.

The 2023 World Series odds favorite: Atlanta Braves

World Series odds: Braves best value +250 at BetMGM Sportsbook

It is not hard to understand why the Braves are the odds favorite to win the World Series. Just looking at their everyday lineup, it almost looks like an MLB All-Star game lineup. Their pitching is nothing to ignore, as the Braves have several legitimate aces that should be feared in big-time playoff games. 

Leading the way is Spencer Strider, who is the perfect playoff pitcher. He will be the type of guy with his 13+ K/9 who can pitch his way out of any jam at his best. The 2nd and 3rd starters, Charlie Morton and Bryce Elder, both have sub-3.50 ERAs and can be expected to give Atlanta some great playoff innings. 

While the Braves might have any big-time names in their bullpen, it is vastly underrated, with four pitchers appearing in over 50 games that each have ERA's under 4.00. Collin McHugh was recently sent to the IL, and the Braves hope he will be ready for the playoffs as another solid veteran bullpen arm.

Saving the best for last, the Braves lineup should be feared, and it is. Regardless of the pitcher, there is no scouting or pitching your way around the Braves. As long as Atlanta stays healthy, their home run power throughout their lineup is not just good. It is historical, and by playoff time, Atlanta legitimately has a chance to be the best home run-hitting team in MLB regular season history. 

The Braves' notable stats and records could be listed all day, but it is easy to see why they are the favorite, and it is truly a title or bust in Atlanta.

The high-value NL longshot: Milwaukee Brewers

World Series odds: Brewers best value +2200 at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Brewers are in a good position to win the NL Central, and barring a huge win streak to end the season, they will not catch the Braves or Dodgers to get one of the top two division winner spots to get a first-round by. Yet the Brewers are getting healthy at the right time of the season.

A starting rotation of Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Wade Miley, and Brandon Woodruff is a very strong veteran group that, when healthy, all have pitched very well this season. At the same time, the bullpen group has some elite arms, starting with closer Devin Williams, who has over 35 saves, a sub 2.00 ERA, an over 13 K/9 strikeout ratio. While guys like Hoby Milner, Joel Payamps, and Bryse Wilson may not be household names, they are all sub-3.00 ERA guys who are good middle relievers. 

The Brewer lineup may not strike fear like the Braves, but it is filled with high-quality All-Star-level veterans at the important spots. Christian Yelich is having a resurgent year, and as the leader of the Brewers, you have to know he is hoping to have a big playoff moment finally. 

The high-value AL longshot: Seattle Mariners

World Series odds: Mariners best value +1800 at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Mariners feel primed after sneaking into the playoffs last year for the first time in a long time to build upon it this season. Last year, the team was happy to make the playoffs; this year, the young team is looking to go much further.

Seattle needs first to make the playoffs, as four AL teams are fighting for three playoff spots. The Orioles and Rays are both likely in, with one winning the AL East and the other getting the top wildcard spot. While the Astros, Rangers, and Mariners are all fighting to win the AL West, with the remaining two battling it out with the Blue Jays for the last two wild card spots.

So first, the Mariners need to make it, but for the sake of argument, let's say they make it. Their pitching rotation is not elite, but there are some pretty good starters, with Luis Castillo leading the way with a career year with his best ERA ever in a year with at least 100+ innings pitched. 

Followed by two youngsters who are loaded with talent and have at times shown flashes of elite potential in George Kirby and Logan Gilbert, who are both former top 20 picks in the MLB draft. The Mariners' ability to go deep in the playoffs could determine how these two young pitchers perform.

The Seattle lineup has a solid mix of solid veterans and some budding young superstars. Julio Rodriguez has crazy power but also hits for the best average on the team. While switch-hitting catcher, Cal Raleigh is getting better every season, and it looks like he will have the first 30-homerun season of his career this year. 

Put all of it together, and with a little luck and some breakout performances, the Mariners could be a sneaky team to challenge for the Commissioner's trophy.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER