Odds to win the 2019 World Series

The Boston Red Sox outscored their opponents by 229 runs last season. Their top-ranked offense and top-10 pitching staff resulted in yet another World Series title. However, division rival New York and American League rival Houston boast strong rosters that could dethrone the reigning champs this summer. For other ballclubs, rebuilds begin and continue as we review each MLB team's chances of winning the 2019 World Series.

Odds: +60,000

Baltimore had a plan at the start of this decade. It centered around Manny Machado, Adam Jones, and the one-two starting pitching punch of Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman. Injuries derailed Bundy's career, Gausman was up and down in Baltimore and is now with Atlanta, Jones moved on to Arizona, and after the O's dealt their franchise player, Machado, to the Dodgers last season, he inked one of the largest free-agent contracts in baseball history with the San Diego Padres. Baltimore won just 47 games last season and isn't projected to win 60 in 2019, as the great rebuild begins anew.

Odds: +35,000

Derek Jeter's ownership group bought the Marlins in late 2017 and then dismantled the roster down to the foundation. Winners of 63 games last season, Miami didn't do much during the winter hot stove aside from trading fan favorite J.T. Realmuto to the Phillies a year after Giancarlo Stanton was dealt to the Yankees. One guy to watch is Lewis Brinson (pictured), who has produced solid power numbers this spring training.

Odds: +25,000

Kansas City won a World Series title just four years ago. Now the Royals possess 250-to-1 odds to win the Commissioner's Trophy. Adding injury to insult was the loss of catcher Salvador Perez for the season due to Tommy John surgery. Fans will just have to reminisce about the recent championship and wait for the Royals farm system to restock the major league talent pool.

Odds: +25,000

Detroit was one of three American League Central teams to win 64 or fewer games last season, and more of the same is expected from the Motor City kitties this year. The Tigers offense ranked in the bottom five in runs scored, and their starting rotation had the eighth-highest ERA (4.65) last season. It's the lack of development among its minor league prospects that has hurt Detroit's ability to compete in a weak division. Once considered a future ace, Michael Fulmer was 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA last year.

Odds: +20,000

Laughter is probably the best medicine for Rangers fans this season. Coming off a 67-win campaign a season ago, their offense added Asdrubal Cabrera and Jeff Mathis, and the rotation rebuilt via free agency and trade. Lance Lynn, Drew Smyly and Shelby Miller join Mike Minor and Edinson Volquez as Texas looks to improve upon a 5.37 ERA of a season ago that ranked 29th overall.

Odds: +10,000

The Giants have won three World Series this decade. As is the case for many franchises, the Giants' young stars aged quickly, and their farm system failed to churn out a new wave of talent needed to compete. One outlet has them projected to win just 73 games this season, second-fewest among National League clubs.

Odds: +9,000

Top prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are well on their way, but the Blue Jays are a few years away from challenging the Yankees and Red Sox for the AL East crown. As far as this year is concerned, Toronto added four new starting pitchers to overhaul its rotation behind "ace" Marcus Stroman. The Blue Jays will struggle to win 75-plus games, but the future appears bright so long as Guerrero and Bichette remain healthy.

Odds: +7,500

The White Sox lost 100 games for the first time since 1970 when they finished the 2018 campaign 62-100 and 29 games behind the Indians in the AL Central. For the franchise to turn a corner, these three things need to happen:

1. Yoan Moncada has to live up to top prospect billing. The 23-year-old second baseman was a key acquisition in a trade with the Boston Red Sox a few years ago but hit a paltry .235 in 149 games last season.
2. Staff ace Carlos Rodon has to pitch like an ace. He was 6-8 with a 4.18 ERA in 20 starts last season. While injuries have hindered his development after being selected third overall in the 2014 amateur draft, Rodon needs a breakout season.
3. Eloy Jimenez needs to produce quality Triple-A at-bats before his major league debut later this season. Chicago's top prospect — acquired from the Cubs two years go — struggled in spring training but has the potential to hit .280-.290 with 20-25 homers.

Odds: +7,000

The Pirates front office is notorious for letting top prospects fully develop in the minor leagues before calling them up. However, the once well-lauded farm system has produced a shell of its former self. In fact, five of the Pirates' eight projected hitters and four of their five starting pitchers began their careers somewhere else. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for Pittsburgh to regain its footing in the NL Central with the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers so loaded.

Odds: +7,000

With the Reds celebrating the 150th anniversary of becoming baseball's first professional team, they couldn't roll with the same roster that won only 67 games last season. So they traded some prospects to the Dodgers and brought in Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and starting pitcher Alex Wood. With one of the best arms and good power, Puig automatically slides into the Reds starting lineup, while Kemp is projected to come off the bench. Wood will join the rotation after he returns from injury. Cincinnati isn't winning the World Series, but the marketing department has personalities and talent to work with aside from Joey Votto and hometown boy Scooter Gennett.

Odds: +6,000

By the time you read this, the Mariners will have already played two regular-season games against the Athletics, and Ichiro will have officially retired from baseball after a two-game series in Japan. Seattle's window to compete in the American League is pretty much shut, as it traded away Robinson Cano and starting pitcher James Paxton during the offseason. In fact, four players in the heart of the Mariners lineup were acquired via trade during the winter hot stove. After winning 89 games last season, they're projected to regress down to the low 70s.

Odds: +6,000

The Diamondbacks not only traded away their franchise player, Paul Goldschmidt, to the St. Louis Cardinals, but also free agency cost them their leadoff hitter, A.J. Pollock (Dodgers), and starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (Nationals). While it would be an arduous road to the World Series, Arizona still features one of the better National League rotations paced by veteran Zack Greinke. The team also added 25-year-old pitching prospect Luke Weaver via the Goldschmidt trade.

Odds: +5,000

If anybody is going to catch the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central, it's Minnesota. Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA, projected standings, currently thinks the Twins will finish 15 games behind the Tribe, but Max Kepler (pictured) cracked 20 dingers last season and the offense received an upgrade via free agents Nelson Cruz and Jonathan Schoop. If longtime prospect Byron Buxton can put it all together in 2019 — as he has this spring training — Minnesota could pose a threat to the Indians.

Odds: +5,000

There he is: the $430 million man. Mike Trout will be a member of the Los Angeles Angels for life after inking a 12-year deal earlier this week. That's the good news. The bad news — as has been the case for the past decade — the Angels are a .500 team (they've won 51.4 percent of their games since 2010) with a subpar starting rotation and middle-of-the-pack offense. Trout is a five-tool player who can do it all, but he plays for a franchise in desperate need of a playoff identity, which may not be found for several seasons.

Odds: +4,000

With whispers that the Padres and Cleveland Indians are still discussing a possible blockbuster trade in which San Diego would acquire two of the Tribe's starting pitchers, it's evident that signing Manny Machado was the front office's first chess move. The Padres are positioning themselves to compete not only in the National League West, but also for World Series titles — multiple. However, unless the Padres can acquire a Corey Kluber and/or Trevor Bauer, they'll lean on a young and inexperienced starting rotation.

Odds: +3,500

Blake Snell won the 2018 Cy Young Award as the American League's top pitcher, but if you asked the casual baseball fan to pick him out of a lineup, it would be a struggle. Tampa Bay isn't going to catch the Yankees or Red Sox in the American League East, but for a team that's projected lineup features eight guys 28 years old or younger and is chock-full of prospects, the Rays are playing the long game. Keep an eye on cleanup hitter and one-time Tigers prospect Avisail Garcia, who at age 27 may finally live up to those lofty expectations as a late bloomer. 

Odds: +2,500

Despite scoring 11 runs in the two-game Japan series, the Mariners swept the A's to start the 2019 season. Oakland won 97 games last season behind an offense that quietly averaged 4.96 runs per game and a pitching staff that held opposing hitters to a .236 average — sixth overall. However, the starting rotation was overhauled this offseason, and Oakland will feature at least three new starters until prospect Jharel Cotton can return from Tommy John surgery.

Odds: +2,200

As a team, the Mets hit a league-low .234, and their pitching staff was never truly healthy all at the same time last season. Heading into 2019, reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom anchors a staff that also includes Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler. When at the top of its game, the Mets rotation can challenge the Cleveland Indians for tops in Major League Baseball. New York's offense needs the Robinson Cano offseason trade to pay dividends immediately, as his bat is critical to adding some pop in the middle of the lineup.

Odds: +2,000

The Bryce Harper era in Washington may have ended, but 20-year-old Juan Soto's is just beginning. The 2018 Rookie of the Year runner-up hit .292 with 22 homers, 77 runs and 70 RBI in just 116 games. Also, don't sleep on Soto's 21-year-old teammate and fellow prospect Victor Robles, who is projected to hit 10-15 homers with 30 stolen bases. On the bump, Max Scherzer remains one of baseball's most lethal starting pitchers, while Stephen Strasburg hopes to return to 2017  form when he was 15-4 with a 2.52 ERA. While Harper's personality may or may not be missed, the Nationals remain a really good ballclub that just needs to rely on some young prospects to get it to the playoffs.

Odds: +2,000

Veteran Daniel Murphy signed a free-agent deal with the Rockies last December because he feels this franchise is built to win now. Colorado, which won 91 games last season, kept 99 percent of its lineup with the pitching staff the same as last season. The Rockies are led by Nolan Arenado, who agreed to an eight-year, $260 million contract in late February. He's averaged 40 home runs, 104 runs and 126 RBI over the past four seasons. Arenado's elite numbers are oftentimes lost because he plays for a smaller-market squad.

Odds: +1,400

The Brewers won 96 games but finished one victory shy of reaching their first World Series since 1982 back when they resided in the American League. In his first season with the Brewers, Christian Yelich hit a league-high .326 with 36 homers, 118 runs, 110 RBI and 22 stolen bases, which were MVP-worthy. While Milwaukee didn't make too much noise in the offseason, the return of Jimmy Nelson to the starting rotation will be welcomed. The franchise's one-time top pitching prospect missed all of last season due to reconstructive shoulder surgery.

Odds: +1,400

The Tribe's starting rotation is arguably the best in baseball, but as has been the case in the past, offensive concerns linger. The team lost Edwin Encarnacion and Michael Brantley to free agency, and Francisco Lindor is doubtful for Opening Day due to a calf injury. Cleveland's outfield of Leonys Martin, Jake Bauers and Tyler Naquin has pundits preaching that the Indians are overhyped heading into 2019. However, a late-March signing of veteran Carlos Gonzalez could provide just enough pop atop the lineup that, when paired with Lindor and Jose Ramirez, the Indians survive and win a weak American League Central again.

Odds: +1,400

The "Baby Braves" grew up fast. Thanks to a rich farm system that blossomed ahead of schedule, Atlanta not only won the National League East by eight games last year, but also outscored opponents by 102 runs. The starting pitchers held opposing batters to the second-lowest average in all of baseball: .222. This may not be their year, but the Braves, led by 21-year-old phenom Ronald Acuna Jr., are well on their way to becoming a perennial power. Their 12-to-1 World Series odds are a pretty good value, all things considered.

Odds: +1,200

After falling behind Milwaukee and Chicago in the National League Central, St. Louis went out and made a blockbuster trade with Arizona to acquire one of the most consistent hitters in the game in Paul Goldschmidt. He's good for 30-plus homers and a batting average around .290. On the mound, the Cardinals named 30-year-old Miles Mikolas their Opening Day starter after he finished 18-4 with a 2.83 ERA last season. Expect some regression from him, but keep an eye on 23-year-old Jack Flaherty, who could become one of the National League's elite pitchers if he can keep his walk rate down. 

Odds: +1,100

Perhaps the Cubs spoiled us with their dominance in 2016 and 2017 because in a year where many observed on-the-field and in-the-standings regression, Chicago ranked ninth in runs per game and third in team earned run average while winning 95 games and clinching a postseason berth. Most baseball franchises would kill for that type of regression. The Cubs roster wasn't overhauled, but a healthy Kris Bryant — who missed most of last season due to a shoulder injury — and Javier Baez's continued breakout are necessary for the Cubs' World Series chances.

Odds: +850

It's safe to say Philadelphia's fan base held its collective breath after the team's $330 million offseason investment took a 96 mile-per-hour fastball to his ankle during a mid-March spring training contest. The good news is Bryce Harper returned to the lineup just a few days later, and the Phillies' World Series chances remain as strong as ever. In addition to Harper, the Phillies added vets Andrew McCutchen, Jean Segura, J.T. Realmuto and closer David Robertson this offseason. With all the upgrades and a solid starting pitching staff, the Phillies are projected to win nine-10 more regular-season games than they did last year.

Odds: +700

The Dodgers outscored their opponents by 194 runs last season and managed to win the National League West by only one game over Colorado. With the Rockies expected to regress somewhat in 2019 and the Diamondbacks, Padres and Giants all in rebuild mode, the West is the Dodgers' title to lose. Staff ace Clayton Kershaw will not be ready to start the season due to a shoulder injury, but the Dodgers expect to get Corey Seager back for the majority of the 2019 campaign after missing most of 2018 following elbow and hip surgeries. His consistent bat was missed down the stretch last year.

Odds: +600

As a team, the Yankees hit a league-high 267 home runs last season — 32 more than the second-ranked Los Angeles Dodgers. While scoring runs may come easy again in 2019, questions remain as to if New York's pitching staff is strong enough when anchored by an inconsistent 25-year-old in Luis Severino and two 30-year-olds in Masahiro Tanaka and free agent acquisition James Paxton. To add to the shaky ground, Severino may miss the start of the season due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder.

Odds: +600

Opposing batters posted a league-worst .217 batting average against the Astros pitching staff last season, and we should expect more of the same from Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Co. this season. Houston also upgraded its lineup by inking free agent Michael Brantley. He's a .295 lifetime hitter with a 15-20 home run potential.

Odds: +600

The core of the 2018 Red Sox roster returns in 2019. Some believe their outfield of Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. may be one of the best in baseball history. On the mound, keep an eye on soon-to-be 26-year-old Eduardo Rodriguez. If he takes the next step in his development, Boston will feature four solid starting pitchers and, when combined with the big bats, will result in a return to the postseason and a run at another American League pennant.