MLB Playoffs 2019 Odds: Astros, Dodgers, Yankees Are Heavy Favorites, Cardinals Are Top Underdog

The Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees were in a class of their own during the regular season, all winning well over 100 games and clinching their respective division championships with plenty of time to spare. It doesn’t come as a surprise that all three teams are heavy favorites to advance beyond the first round of the 2019 MLB Playoffs.

With and MLB-best 107-55 record, the Astros are given the best betting odds to win their division series. Houston is a -260 favorite, according to OddsShark. The Tampa Bay Rays have +220 odds to pull off the upset after defeating the Oakland Athletics in Wednesday’s American League Wild-Card Game.

Houston has reached the ALCS in two straight seasons. Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke make up the most formidable playoff rotation in baseball.

Los Angeles isn’t far behind Houston as they get ready to host the National League Wild-Card winner in Game 1 of the NLDS. The Dodgers have -250 odds to beat the Washington Nationals in the best-of-five series. Washington is a +185 underdog.

The Nationals needed a three-run, eighth-inning comeback to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in Tuesday’s elimination game. Washington is 0-4 in the NLDS since 2012. The Dodgers eliminated the Nationals from the postseason in 2016 with a Game 5 win in the nation’s capital.

The Yankees are +245 favorites against the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS. Minnesota has +180 odds. The Twins finished two games behind the Yankees in the overall standings with 101 victories.

New York has historically dominated Minnesota in the playoffs. The two teams have met four times in the ALDS since the 2003 season. The Yankees won all four series with a 12-2 record. The Twins lost in the Bronx in the 2017 AL Wild-Card Game. Minnesota set a record with 307 home runs this season, hitting one more homer than New York.

The Atlanta Braves are easily considered to be the most vulnerable team that has home-field advantage in the division series. Atlanta has -150 odds to get by the St. Louis Cardinals, who are +115 underdogs.

Atlanta won six more regular-season games than St. Louis. It’s been 18 years since the Braves won a playoff series. The Cardinals last reached the postseason in 2015.

Both NL series start Thursday. All eight teams will be in action Friday.