In the article below, you’ll find our analysts’ World Series predictions, props, and best bets heading into the Fall Classic between the Phillies and Astros. These top picks include two World Series MVP bets, one World Series winner, and a World Series prop (with intriguing plus-money odds). Let’s dive in!
2022 World Series Predictions
These World Series predictions were compiled earlier in the week, so there’s a chance the lines have shifted since publishing this article. Always double-check the odds and shop around for the best available price before submitting your bet slip!
Here we go with our top World Series predictions ahead of Game 1.
All odds as of 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
Astros To Win The World Series (-185)
Analyst: John Supowitz
Where to bet: -185 at DraftKings Sportsbook
The excitement of the Phillies has brought the city so much brotherly love. Citizens Bank Park has been the most energetic atmosphere throughout the playoffs, and it has the team playing well. No one had this team getting here, especially when they barely sneaked into the playoffs. However, the Phillies’ offense has come up with clutch hits, and they are now four wins from a championship.
This will be Philadelphia’s biggest challenge. No one has been more dominant than the Astros in October. They became just the thrid-team since the division series began in 1995 to go 7-0 across those rounds. This is a well-balanced team— tons of options in the starting rotation, the bullpen has been incredible with an 0.62 ERA, and the offense has been getting clutch hits.
They’ve been getting it done with Altuve and McCormick struggling while Yordan Alvarez went cold in the ALCS.
While you like the Phillies’ top of the rotation and middle part of their lineup, they’ll be overmatched with starters and later in the games with the bullpen.
Justin Verlander To Win World Series MVP (+900)
Analyst: John Supowitz
Where to bet: +1000 at BetMGM Sportsbook
Although it hasn’t been officially announced, there should not be a doubt that the Game 1 starter for the Astros will be Justin Verlander. This will put him in line to pitch Game 4 on regular rest in what could be a championship clincher. If this series goes longer, he could be utilized in some capacity for those potential championship-clinching situations as well.
Verlander at 39 looks just as good at 29, or 28 when he won the Cy Young and American League MVP, and it is likely he’ll capture his third Cy Young award.
The Phillies are fresh on his mind, as he saw them in his last start of the regular season going five hitless innings and ten strikeouts. The Phillies have much better offensively in the playoffs than in the last part of the season, but I still like Verlander, whom no one has had an answer to all season.
A starter with two wins in the World Series has been MVP, which will be the case for Verlander.
Astros Lead 2-1 After 3 Games (+125)
Analyst: Spencer Limbach
Where to bet: +125 at FanDuel Sportsbook
I agree with John’s analysis, which has me siding with the Astros to win this series. Instead of taking that bet with -185 odds, I’m going to get somewhat creative to find a better risk/reward situation.
Alas, the Astros to lead 2-1 after three games is +125. That seems like excellent value for the most likely outcome in the first three games of this series. Houston will play two of those contests at home while having Justin Verlander on the bump for one of them.
The Phillies are playing spirited baseball at the moment, and there’s a good chance they win at least one of the first three games in this series. That could come in Game 3 at Philadelphia, but don’t count out NL Pennant winners to potentially nab one in Houston.
You can hedge this bet if needed. In other words, if the Astros lead 1-1 heading into Game 3, you can hedge by betting Philadelphia on the moneyline for that contest. If the Astros are up 2-0 heading into Game 3, a bet on the Astros would suffice as a hedge to potentially lock in profit.
The only way you are dead in the water is if Philadelphia ambushes Houston for a 2-0 series lead. I don’t see that happening.
Alex Bregman To Win World Series MVP (+1200)
Analyst: Spencer Limbach
Where to bet: +1300 at DraftKings Sportsbook
Definitely shop around when betting on the World Series MVP market. Bregman is +1200 at DraftKings Sportsbook, which is much better than +1000 at BetMGM and +1100 at Caesars Sportsbook.
Predicting the World Series MVP is difficult, but that’s why we are getting longshot odds. A hitter has taken home the award in six of the last seven years. That doesn’t automatically eliminate a legitimate pitcher (and strikeout prop favorite) like Justin Verlander, but it’s enough to have me looking toward one of Houston’s best hitters for a generous price.
Let’s take a look at the MVP odds on DraftKings (top eight choices):
- Yordan Alvarez +650
- Bryce Harper +650
- Justin Verlander +950
- Kyle Tucker +1000
- Framber Valdez +1100
- Alex Bregman +1200
- Kyle Schwarber +1300
- Jose Altuve +1400
In the history of the World Series, a player from the losing team has been named MVP only once. For those who want to store that trivia answer in their memory bank, it was Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees in 1960.
The MVP will come from the winning team, and I already stated my confidence in Houston to make it happen. From here, I’m taking a chance on a hitter to get hot. Realistically, Alvarez, Tucker, Bregman, Altuve, and (maybe) Jeremy Pena (+1700) are on that list.
In my opinion, Bregman has the best combination of contact, power, experience, and odds when it comes to this betting market. It’s nice to see that he’s heating up with five hits and a homer in his last three games. He could also be worth a look in the home run prop department this series.
