On Oct. 27, 2020, the L.A. Dodgers emerged victorious from the COVID-19-riddled MLB season as world champions. It was the Dodgers’ first World Series title since 1988, prompting mental images of Kirk Gibson’s gimpy, fist-pumping dinger. Those Game 1 heroics set the tone for L.A., and Orel Hershiser’s complete-game gem in Game 5 clinched it. The Dodgers would never have believed it would take 32 years to win again.
This time around it was SS Corey Seager who carried Los Angeles through October, thereby earning him World Series MVP. Seager hit .400 with two homers and five RBIs in the 2020 Fall Classic, walking six times and HBP once. Online sports betting aficionados like myself made some money on Seager’s crowning and L.A.’s victory.
Our sportsbook shows that L.A. (+160) is the current favorite to win both the NL Pennant and the World Series. Regarding NL Pennant odds, the Padres (+425) and Mets (+500) are rated a distant second and third to the Dodgers. The most recent 2021 World Series odds suggest that the Dodgers should defeat the Yankees in October.
Better than the Yankees?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. The 2021 Yankees make a hard case for being the best team in baseball heading into spring training. The Evil Empire may eclipse the 100-win mark.
However, the reigning champion Dodgers don’t just have to measure up to the Yankees of today. The last MLB team to repeat as champions was the New York Yankees dynasty from the late 1990s through the early 2000s. Those Bronx Bombers won three consecutive World Series championships from 1998-2000. Does this talented Dodgers squad have the moxie to defy the odds underneath the odds by winning back-to-back?
The Dodgers Are That Good
The Dodgers are favored to win the World Series in 2021 with good reason, starting with phenomenal pitching depth. Trevor Bauer is the reigning Cy Young winner, and both Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler are legitimate candidates. Signing Bauer bolstered an already formidable starting rotation. When you have David Price, Dustin May, and Julio Urias as your 4-6 starters, you’re in fantastic shape.
The bullpen is ripe with veteran arms, including Kenley Jansen, Corey Knebel, and Blake Treinen. Young gun Brusdar Graterol adds an arm-cannon to the pen that can blow batters away, bringing tremendous upside. L.A. manager Dave Roberts will likely ride the hot hand as the season rolls along, and has several strong options.
The Dodgers have four bonafide MVP candidates in their lineup, including former MVPs Cody Bellanger and Mookie Betts. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Bellanger, Betts, Seager, and/or Will Smith in the running this season. Second basemen Gavin Lux has generally struggled in the blue and white but is primed for a breakout year.
The Dodgers absolutely have the pieces to complete the repeat champion puzzle. Even this die-hard Yankee fan has to acknowledge that fact. However, my money is still on the Yankees to win their first World Series title since 2009. Why wouldn’t it be?
A $100 wager on the Yankees (+525) to win the World Series more than quintuples my investment when it hits. PS- Gerrit Cole is due for a Cy Young and it would be great to see Aaron Judge win American League MVP, don’t you think? Place your betting action with BetUS and let the chips fall where they may. GO YANKEES!
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