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MLB Playoff Odds & Favorites 2025: AL Central Logjam Provides Plus-Money Odds on Trio of Contenders

Andrew Brennan

Last Updated: January 23, 2025 12:57 PM EST • 5 min 10 sec read.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. waits for his turn to bat on the dugout steps against the Pittsburgh Pirates as we look at the MLB playoff odds.
Pictured: Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. waits for his turn to bat on the dugout steps against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Photo by Charles LeClaire via Imagn.

Of course, the MLB offseason has been dominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and, as a result, they're being priced as a near-lock to make the postseason. However, there's a ton of value across the MLB playoff odds if you look hard enough.

Along with the Dodgers, the usual suspects are trading at minus money to make the playoffs: the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets have some of the shortest odds.

However, one division in particular, features a trio of teams trading at plus money. And if you've looked at our MLB projected win totals, you know exactly which division it is.

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 -2000 (an implied probability of 95.24%), with the next closest team in the New York Yankees down at -400
  • Two teams that made the playoffs last season are getting plus-money odds now, with the Kansas City Royals at +130 through BetMGM and the Detroit Tigers at +135 via DraftKings
  • The Texas Rangers finished eight games out of the playoffs last year after winning the World Series the previous season, but they're priced to bounce back at -110
  • It's not surprising that the Chicago White Sox have the longest odds to make the playoffs after putting together a historically bad 2024 campaign

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.

The Royals and Tigers are both priced in this range, but I prefer the former thanks to the fact it features one of the best players in baseball: Bobby Witt Jr.

The Royals finished with 86 wins last year, a colossal leap after losing 106 games the season prior.

Best odds: +130 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 43.48%

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Mariners (+115)

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. However, the lineup was dreadful, and it can't possibly be that bad again.

MLB playoff odds
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez and catcher Cal Raleigh celebrate after Raleigh hit a two-run homer. Photo by Steven Bisig/Imagn Images.

Julio Rodriguez missed time with an ankle injury, too, and he's only one season removed from being considered an MVP candidate. With the Houston Astros looking vulnerable, either the Mariners or Rangers could steal the AL West.

Best odds: +115 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 46.51%

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Red Sox (-120)

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. He was one of the best pitchers in the AL last year, missing out on Cy Young consideration simply because the White Sox limited his innings.

Best odds: -120 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 54.55%

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 -2000. That leads to an implied probability of 95.24%.

What team is getting the worst playoff odds?

The Chicago White Sox are receiving the worst playoff odds at +4000. That translates to an implied probability of 2.44%

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

World Series OddsMLB Hits Leader OddsMLB RBI Leader Odds
World Series MVP OddsMLB Wins Leader OddsMLB Win Totals
MLB MVP OddsMLB Home Run Leader OddsMLB Best Regular Season Record Odds
MLB Rookie of the Year OddsMLB Strikeout Leader OddsMLB Home Run Derby Odds
MLB Cy Young Award OddsMLB Stolen Base Leader Odds

Here are our best MLB betting sites:

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Written By:
Andrew Brennan
Andrew Brennan is a publishing editor for Sportsbook Review. He also heads the website’s MLB coverage, from the various futures markets to daily picks. Andrew believes a math-based approach is the best way to enjoy long-term success in sports betting, and he’s spent the better part of the last year fine-tuning his own process for MLB, NBA, and NFL picks. Andrew uses eight different sportsbooks to find the best odds available and various projection models to gather as much information as he can. His most used sportsbooks are bet365, FanDuel, and theScore Bet. When it comes to daily projection models, he regularly references NumberFire across all sports, as it’s one of the best free tools available. In terms of which daily markets Andrew attacks, he almost exclusively bets on pitcher strikeouts for baseball. When the winter rolls around, you’ll see him providing more variety when it comes to the NBA (points, assists, rebounds) and NFL (almost any offensive-based player prop). He used these tools to go +150 units in 2023. Andrew is also a passionate fantasy sports player. He’s played fantasy football, fantasy Premier League, and fantasy baseball for the last decade. He graduated from Durham College with his diploma in journalism after earning his degree in law from Carleton University. He’s worked in sports media since early 2017, first contributing at FanSided before moving to theScore. He joined SBR in 2022.