The Los Angeles Dodgers Are the Team to Beat, but These Three Contenders Could Ruin the Party.

Counting Down the Days

The Los Angeles Dodgers won 98 MLB games during the 2024 regular season, then closed the sale with the eighth World Series in the history of the franchise. Thus, the team out of Chavez Ravine has a target on its back in 2025, as no Dodger club (either in Brooklyn or LA) has ever successfully defended its title.

Should the Dodgers break with tradition in 2025, it won’t be accomplished without challengers. There are several teams in both leagues who are out to wrest the “belt” this season.

That doesn’t mean LA isn’t strongly favored to repeat, but the 162-season (plus the postseason) remains a grind. However, Dodger Blue of manager Dave Roberts possesses depth in all phases of the game, as in hitting, pitching, and defense.

Stars such as (three-time MVP winner) Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernandez complement a balanced pitching staff to make LA as tough as any team.

Consequently, the Dodgers are rock-solid 5-2 (+250) favorites to win it all once again.

If you prefer taking less risk, LA is 3-2 (+150) to win the National League pennant and a puny proposition 1-6 (-600) to win the NL West.

Directly below LA as far as Series odds are the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees (each at 17-2 [+850]), while the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies are both priced at 11-1 (+1100).

While the headline reads “three teams,” we didn’t discriminate based on the board, which has four teams right around the same number.

As MLB betting odds regarding future wagers are fluid throughout the season due to winning/ losing streaks, injuries, trades, and other miscellany, do your homework before placing any bets.

Here’s a bit of a primer on the 2025 MLB season…

What Is Opening Day for MLB 2025?

MLB Opening Day has come and gone already. As the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers met the Chicago Cubs inside the Tokyo Dome in mid-March, LA ended by sweeping the two-game set, 4-1 and 6-3. Led by native sons Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki. It was an auspicious way to have the Dodgers begin the season (but not so much if you’re the Cubbies).

Those among the traditionalists would consider March 27th as the actual Opening Day on the calendar, wth the MLB schedule listing 14 games.

Is the MLB Schedule Out Yet?

Indeed, the season begins later this week (as of this writing). Again, teams play 81 MLB games both home and away, looking to earn one of a dozen berths in the postseason. Three division champs and three wild-card teams in each league make the playoffs.

Is the MLB Bigger Than the NBA?

That’s an apples and oranges sort of question, as both sports have their share of fans as well as those who don’t care. As MLB has a regular season that’s just about twice as long (162 games versus 82), leading to the league playoffs and the World Series, there’s an argument that single NBA games mean more in the scheme of things. However, with 10 basketball teams in each conference making the postseason (including the play-in round), maybe that’s not so. 

Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on MLB Game Odds?

MLB picks and predictions include a variety of options, with both team and individual player props available throughout the season.

While the World Series is always the biggest prize out there, the MLB games' betting odds are also in play as the season progresses.

If you can ride a team on a hot streak or a trend that seems to work, there’s some money to be made through the course of 162 games.

Any Final Thoughts?

With MLB news as well as MLB rumors both at a fever pitch time of year, 2025’s Opening Day is right around the corner. Bettors have countless opportunities to have at it, whether it’s investing on chalky propositions such as the aforementioned Los Angeles Dodgers or finding a “sleeper” with odds to match, circle back to “do your homework” and unearth some winners.