Braves’ World Series odds improve as postseason approaches

Oddsmakers are beginning to buy into the Braves. Atlanta’s odds to win the World Series have improved from +800 to +750 since the club clinched its second-straight National League East title with a commanding 6-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Brian Snitker’s squad now sits 9 1/2 games ahead of the Nationals in the East, and with five tilts remaining, Atlanta could top the 100-win mark for the first time since 2003. It would be quite an accomplishment for a team that won 72 games two years ago and is powered by a trio of young stars who are barely above legal drinking age.

2019 World Series odds

The case for the Braves

There’s a lot to like about the Braves, beginning with Ronald Acuna Jr., who recently became the youngest player to record 40 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season. The reigning Rookie of the Year is now just three stolen bases away from becoming the fifth member of baseball’s exclusive 40-40 club. Not bad for a kid who is earning $29 million less this season than Miguel Cabrera.

Acuna has gotten plenty of help offensively from fellow phenom Ozzie Albies, who is hitting .296 with 23 homers and 82 RBIs in his sophomore season, and first baseman Freddie Freeman, who leads the NL in RBIs and ranks seventh in home runs. The Braves have also gotten a vintage performance from former American League MVP Josh Donaldson, who has clubbed 37 dingers after he was written off by both the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians.

Their collective production is a big reason why Atlanta has the NL's third-best run differential and ranks in the top five in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.

The case against the Braves

If there is one area where Atlanta lags behind other top contenders, it's on the mound. The Braves' .255 BAA is the fourth-worst mark in the league and the club ranks 10th or worse in strikeouts and walks. Mike Foltynewicz's recent resurgence is reason for optimism, but it's fair to wonder how rookie Mike Soroka will fare on baseball's biggest stage. Ditto for Max Fried, who has 2 1/3 innings of postseason experience.

Another reason for concern is the status of Freeman, who left Sunday's game against the Giants with elbow soreness. The four-time All-Star has been bothered by bone spurs throughout 2019 and has seen his production tail off significantly as the injury takes its toil. Freeman's batting average is 32 points lower since the All-Star break and he is hitting just .071 over the past seven days. The Braves need him at his best to stand a chance against the NL's big dogs.

Braves can't dodge L.A.

The Braves have been one of baseball's feel-good stories all season, but they're still vastly outclassed by the Dodgers, who appear primed to return to the World Series for the third consecutive season. The Dodgers easily dispatched Atlanta last season in the NLDS and won four of their six meetings this season, in which they outscored the Braves 37-19.

The Dodgers have the depth, experience and pitching to make a big splash in October. Bet against them at your own peril.

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