Yankees, Phillies Are Top 2019 World Series Bets After Bryce Harper Signs With Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies cemented themselves as a top 2019 World Series contender with the signing of Bryce Harper. Philadelphia has added three All-Stars and two key veterans this offseason, making them one of the National League’s best teams.

Only the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have lost the last two World Series, have better odds to win the NL pennant than Philadelphia. The Phillies are ahead of the Chicago Cubs, who have made four straight postseason appearances and three trips to the NLCS since 2015.

Some sportsbooks already had anticipated that Harper would join Philadelphia. Others bumped up the Phillies’ odds when it was announced that Harper was getting a record contract to leave the Washington Nationals for their division rivals.

The Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Houston Astros remain the MLB favorites. The three AL teams have the best odds to win this year’s championship.

At New Jersey’s Fanduel Sportsbook, the Yankees and Phillies have received the most World Series wagers from the betting public. Part of that might be their proximity to New Jersey, though both teams have improved this offseason.

New York didn’t make a play for Harper and never came very close to signing Manny Machado. They did upgrade their pitching staff by adding starter James Paxton and reliever Adam Ottavino, in addition to re-signing three free agents. The Yankees also signed Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu to sure up the infield.

The Yankees won 100 games before losing to the Red Sox in the ALDS. Boston re-signed Nathan Eovaldi in their one big move of the offseason. The defending champions lost reliever Joe Kelly to the Dodgers and they are unlikely to re-sign free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel.

The Phillies’ 80 victories in 2018 was a 14-win improvement from 2017. Following the offseason Philadelphia had, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them face off with the Yankees in the Fall Classic after doing so 10 years prior.