MLB Playoff Odds & Favorites 2025: Royals, Mariners Sitting on the Fringe
There are still several notable offseason dominoes yet to fall around MLB before pitchers and catchers report in mid-February. But lots of shuffling has taken place to give us an idea of the landscape entering a new season.
That's why a handful of sportsbooks are now featuring MLB playoff odds. There are plenty of predictable clubs at the top and bottom, with the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers leading, and the seemingly eternal basement dwellers like the Colorado Rockies bringing up the rear.
But the intrigue lies in the middle amid a market like this one, with the ideal strategy being to capitalize on appealing odds for fringe playoff teams set to either make the leap or keep rising.
MLB playoff odds 2025
MLB playoff odds from our best MLB betting sites
Here are some quick takeaways:
- In addition to leading the World Series odds and boasting two of the MLB MVP odds favorites in the NL, the Dodgers are in another galaxy in this market at -5000 (an implied probability of 94.04%), with the next closest team in the New York Yankees down at -400
- Two teams that made the playoffs last season are getting plus odds now, with the Kansas City Royals at +130 through DraftKings and the Detroit Tigers at +120
- The Texas Rangers finished eight games out of the playoffs last year after winning the World Series the previous season, and they're favored for a bounce back now at +100 odds
- It's not surprising that the Chicago White Sox have the longest odds to make the playoffs while also carrying the lowest MLB win totals
MLB playoff odds picks
Royals (+130)
The AL Central sent three teams to the playoffs last year, with the division-winning Cleveland Guardians going alongside the Royals and Tigers in wild-card spots.
Now the Royals are getting the longest odds at +130 of those three. They're even slightly behind the Minnesota Twins (+120), who didn't make the playoffs last campaign. That's an appealing price for a team with a five-tool megastar in Bobby Witt Jr. who's quickly ascending.
The Royals finished with 86 wins last year, a colossal leap after losing 106 games the season prior.
Best odds: +130 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 43.48%
Mariners (+110)
The Mariners' pitching staff ended up tied for the MLB lead in ERA last season at 3.49. They surged down the stretch while winning eight of their final 10 contests last season, missing the playoffs by just one game.
Julio Rodriguez missed time with an ankle injury too, and he's only one season removed from a breakout campaign with 32 homers.
Best odds: +110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 47.62%
Red Sox (-135)
Excelling in the AL East is always a daunting challenge. But the Boston Red Sox surely aren't going to stay down much longer after missing the playoffs in three straight seasons and posting a record of .500 or lower each time.
Adding intimidating flamethrower Garrett Crochet will go a long way in that effort after he finished seventh in MLB last season with 209 strikeouts.
Best odds: -135 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 56.33%
2025 key MLB dates
- Feb. 14-15: Most pitchers and catchers hold their first workouts of spring training
- Feb. 18-20: Most position players report to spring training and participate in their first workout
- Feb. 20: Spring training games begin
- March 18-19: The Dodgers face the Cubs in the Tokyo Series
- March 27: Opening Day
- July 14: Home Run Derby
- July 13-14: MLB draft
- July 15: All-Star Game
- July 31: Trade deadline day
- Sept. 26-28: Final weekend of the regular season
How to bet on the MLB playoff odds
When betting on the MLB playoff odds, pick a reputable sportsbook offering MLB playoff futures. Check the odds for various teams. For instance, if Team A has +300 odds and Team B is getting +800, Team A is favored to win.
Decide how much to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on Team A at +300 and it wins, you’ll get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on performances throughout the season to gauge how your bet is shaping up.
Remember, if a team performs exceptionally well or poorly, its odds will shift. Injuries or the success of competitors can significantly impact a club's odds.
The success of the a team can also influence odds movement. Public betting trends play a role too. If many people are betting on one team, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet too, which in turn affects the odds.
Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially capitalize on favorable odds movements.
How to read MLB playoff odds
Odds are typically shown in a format like +300 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +300) indicate how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet.
For example, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
These odds also reflect the implied probability of a team qualifying for the postseason in the MLB playoff odds. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher likelihood of winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower likelihood.
For example, if Team A has +300 odds and Team B has +800 odds, Team A is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Team A and it wins, you'd get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).
Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like performance, injuries, team success, and betting patterns. Understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions and assess potential returns.
MLB playoff odds FAQs
What team is getting the best playoff odds?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting the best playoff odds while sitting at -5000. That leads to an implied probability of 98.04%.
What team is getting the worst playoff odds?
The Chicago White Sox are receiving the worst playoff odds at +3000. That translates to an implied probability of 3.23%
Which teams made the posteason last year?
The Dodgers, Yankees, Padres, Orioles, Guardians, Royals, Tigers, Astros, Phillies, Braves, Mets, and Brewers made the playoffs last season.
Which team won the the last World Series?
The Dodgers won the World Series in 2024.
What team has made the most playoff appearances?
The New York Yankees have made the most playoff appearances while qualifying for the postsesaon 59 times.
MLB betting odds pages
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- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
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