After their 2024 World Series victory, the Los Angeles Dodgers have started the season 8-0, following Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off home run in Wednesday’s thrilling 6-5 win over the Atlanta Braves.
They are the first defending World Series champions to start the season with an 8-0 record.
While the Dodgers probably won’t finish 162-0, they are undoubtedly the team to beat in 2025. They are +230 to win the World Series, and their updated win total is 108.5, according to the latest odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
For context, Los Angeles began the season as a favorite to win the World Series at +240 odds, with a projected win total of 104.5.
“I think everyone came into this season expecting the Dodgers to be the best team in baseball,” BetMGM trading manager Halvor Egeland said. “I don't think we would have anticipated an 8-0 start though.”
Entering the season, the Dodgers had the shortest preseason odds to win the World Series since the 2002 New York Yankees, who were +200 to win it all in the spring. Los Angeles also recorded the highest preseason win total since the Yankees had an over/under of 104.5 in 1999.
None of that has deterred action on the Dodgers. They have received the highest percentage of bets (16.1%) and money (34.3%) in the World Series market at BetMGM. They are also the most popular bet in the NL pennant market.
“Just about every number we put up for the Dodgers gets bet over,” Egeland said.
Between the betting interest and hot start, it’s easy to see why the Dodgers’ odds have moved after one week. Their +230 value gives them an implied probability of 30.3% to win the World Series. No other team is better than 8/1 to win the championship.
“It's baseball, so we'll only go so short on them to win the World Series,” Egeland said. “But there's a large gap between them and the next closest team in terms of talent.”
Perhaps the most surprising odds adjustment from the first week is BetMGM’s market on which team will lead MLB in wins.
The Dodgers are -1100 (91.67% implied probability) to record the most regular-season wins after being -145 in this market during the preseason. The Philadelphia Phillies currently rank second on this odds board at +1300.
It’s a long season, but the Dodgers certainly couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Visit the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the season for updated MLB futures, including World Series odds. You can also view updated sportsbook promos, including a First Bet Offer for eligible new customers.