UPDATE: The San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners are dominating the betting landscape following explosive moves during the MLB trade deadline. As of Thursday, August 3, 2023, the Padres, after a flurry of acquisitions, have seen their odds to win the World Series shift dramatically from +3500 to +2500 and then to +1600. This surge is fueled by the acquisition of pitchers Mason Miller and JP Sears from the Athletics, along with first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and outfielder Ramon Laureano from the Orioles.
The betting public is responding fervently. According to DraftKings, the Padres have attracted 23% of the money wagered for this season’s World Series, outpacing the second-place New York Mets at 14%. ESPN BET reports that the Padres now hold 12.5% of the handle, making them one of the top contenders in the league. Bettors hope that the risk will pay off, especially since the Padres have traded away five of their top seven prospects in pursuit of immediate success.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners, who entered the deadline with +2500 odds, made significant moves as well. They acquired third baseman Eugenio Suarez and first baseman Josh Naylor, skyrocketing their odds to +2000 and then to +1400, respectively. Their odds for winning the American League pennant improved from +800 to +700. They have become the most-bet team on ESPN BET with 18.6% of the tickets and an impressive 30.5% of the handle for the World Series market.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, despite a quieter deadline, remain the favorites at +240 for the World Series. Following them are the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies tied at +850. Other notable teams include the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and Mets at +1000.
In contrast, some teams saw their futures dim significantly. The San Francisco Giants plummeted from +4000 to 100-1 odds, while the Minnesota Twins, following a fire sale, dropped from 100-1 to 250-1.
As the dust settles on the trade deadline, all eyes are on how these changes will affect the outcomes of the season. Will the Padres and Mariners live up to the hype and deliver for their bettors? Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
