The best offshore gambling sites favored Los Angeles Dodgers to win the MLB 2021 World Series all through the regular season. But the Dodgers lost in the NLCS, so the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros will vie for the title.
According to the best online sportsbooks, the Astros are -140 faves to win the 2021 World Series over the Braves (+117). Atlanta has overcome early-season injury issues like Ronald Acuna Jr. and Mike Soroka to make it to the Fall Classic.
Oddsmakers aren’t too keen on a Braves team with three great starting pitchers. As well as a lineup hitting at the right time. Even though they proved their mettle against the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers and the 106-win Dodgers.
This matchup would have been a likely prediction as far back as spring training. However, it was an unlikely outcome at the trade deadline on July 30. At that point the Braves had a 2% chance to represent the National League. Moreover, superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
2021 World Series Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | +1½ ( -175 ) | 8 ( -120 ) | +117 |  |
| Astros | -1½ ( +155 ) | 8 ( EV ) | -140 | |
|
||||
Betting Houston Astros
Houston is the favorite at the best offshore gambling sites. The AL West champion Astros destroyed the Chicago White Sox in the first round. They ended the Boston Red Sox’ run in six games in the ALCS. Building on the foundation of a regular season where they got an MVP-worthy season out of Carlos Correa and great years from Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker.
The Astros lineup is hitting its stride at the right time. Even with starter Lance McCullers Jr. out for the remainder of the season, the Astros have the firepower they need in young pitchers Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia.
Valdez pitched eight innings of one-run ball against the Red Sox to earn Houston an ALCS win. He will need at least two big starts in this World Series. With their explosive lineup, the Astros can remain competitive even if their pitching staff falls short. Tucker leads all league hitters with 15 playoff RBIs. Alvarez has a .535 OBP in the postseason.
The Astros have used sheer horsepower to get to where they are now. They lead the league in runs per game in the regular and the playoffs, despite their starting pitching woes. Manager Dusty Baker has not done what many managers of eliminated teams have.
That is, using normal starting pitchers in positions to which they are not used. The Astros have scored at least five runs in 12 of the 13 games they have played going back to the end of the regular season.
The Astros are in the World Series because of an offense that has scored 67 runs in 10 postseason games. Six of their seven wins have come by at least five runs. Forty-five of those 67 runs have been with two outs.
Betting Atlanta Braves
The Braves are underdogs at the best offshore gambling sites. If the 88-win Atlanta Braves can beat the Brewers and the Dodgers, there is no reason that can’t pull off yet another upset. The Braves have not faced an elimination game in this 2021 postseason, thanks to great pitching from starters Charlie Morton, Ian Anderson and Max Fried.
They have the best bullpen of any team in the playoffs this season. If last minute additions such as Jorge Soler, Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario can keep carrying an overhauled Atlanta offense, this Braves squad has World Series champion potential out the wazoo.
The Braves have been like another team from the National League East that won the World Series. That is to say, the 2019 Washington Nationals. This team was not higher than .500 for a single, solitary day until August 6th. They had to revamp their outfield at the trade deadline. That was when they lost Ronald Acuna Jr. for the season with an injury.
2021 World Series Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves Pick
This is a matchup that many saw coming ahead the season. Although not necessarily in this manner. The loss of Acuna in addition not having another top-line starter in Mike Soroka to try to neutralize the Astros bats will be Atlanta’s downfall. Astros win the World Series, -140.
