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In a free-agency decision that turned into a controversial photo finish, Trevor Bauer picked the Dodgers over the Mets. When asked why, Bauer said he opted for the best shot to win the World Series. Like him or not, oddsmakers agree with him.
By signing the top pitcher on the market in early February, the Dodgers clinched their spot as consensus World Series favorites 7-2 odds at BetMGM and as low as 2-1 at William Hill and got tagged with MLB’s highest regular-season win total in more than 20 years.
After the Westgate SuperBook opened Los Angeles’ win total at 103.5 last week, William Hill oddsmakers raised the ante by posting the Dodgers at 104.5, a number that’s notable in sportsbook history.
One bettor in New Jersey saw it coming way back in September.
Leading up to the NFL season, FanDuel offered odds on when teams would notch their first win of the year. In September, a bettor placed a $100 wager on the Jets to win their first game in Week 15 against the Rams at 120-1. The bet paid $12,100 after the Jets stunned the Rams 23-20.
From 1978 to 2017, underdogs of 17-plus-points won only three times, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information. With the Jets upset on Sunday, an underdog of 17 or more points has now won in three consecutive seasons.