MLB Playoff Predictions 2021: Division Series, World Series Picks, Postseason Betting Odds

Following the two wild-card games, the 2021 MLB playoff field appears to be wide open. Neither of the No. 1 seeds in the American or National League are favored to win the pennant. The betting favorites in both the AL and NL could have a difficult time surviving the division series.

Every AL team has worse than 4/1 odds and better than 10/1 odds to win the World Series. The Houston Astros lead the way with +450 championship odds as the No. 2 seed. The Tampa Bay Rays are second at +500, despite finishing five games ahead of Houston atop the AL standings. The Chicago White Sox (+850) and Boston Red Sox (+950) are underdogs in the ALDS.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are considered clear favorites to represent the NL in the World Series and win their second straight championship. L.A. has +240 title odds, putting the defending champs well ahead of the San Francisco Giants (+700). The Milwaukee Brewers (+950) or Atlanta Braves (+1200) could be sizable underdogs in the NLCS against either NL West team.

Here are predictions for every division series and the World Series. Betting odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook.

San Francisco Giants (+130) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (-152)

The Giants have been underestimated all year, but that didn’t stop them from finishing ahead of the Dodgers for the NL West title. Even as Los Angeles finished the season with 45 wins in 58 games, San Francisco still managed to hold off the defending champs with 107 total wins of their own. The Giants won the season series against the Dodgers and led MLB with a 3.04 ERA over the last month. Max Scherzer can only pitch once for the Dodgers on full rest after starting the wild-card game. L.A. will miss Max Muncy and Clayton Kershaw.

Prediction: San Francisco in five

Atlanta Braves (+120) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (-142)

Milwaukee’s top three starters all have a sub-3.00 ERA and a WHIP below 1.00. The potential to have Cy Young favorite Corbin Burnes start two games gives the Brewers a significant advantage. Burnes and Brandon Woodruff combined for a 2.11 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 21 innings in the 2018 playoffs when Milwaukee reached Game 7 of the NLCS. The Brewers find ways to manufacture runs, an important skill in the postseason. Atlanta reached the playoffs by taking advantage of a weak NL East.

Prediction: Milwaukee in four

Chicago White Sox (+112) vs. Houston Astros (-130)

The White Sox might be better than the Astros, despite finishing two games behind Houston in the standings. Both teams have top-five lineups. Chicago ace Lance Lynn was the Cy Young favorite before getting hurt. Lucas Giolito would be one of Houston’s top pitchers. Carlos Rodon is back from an injury and finished with a 2.37 ERA. Chicago’s bullpen, which posted the AL’s second-best ERA over the last month, might ultimately be the difference.

Prediction: Chicago in five

Boston Red Sox (+144) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (-168)

Everything points to the Rays reaching the ALCS. Tampa Bay had an eight-game advantage over Boston to win the AL East. The Rays have the AL’s top pitching staff and the No. 2-ranked offense. In Tuesday’s wild-card game, the Red Sox had to burn Nathan Eovaldi, Boston’s only starter who threw at least 70 innings with an ERA below 4.53. Tampa was 11-8 against Boston in the regular season.

Prediction: Tampa Bay in four

World Series Pick: Milwaukee over Tampa Bay in six