Bovada installs Atlanta Braves at 33-to-1 odds to win 2015 World Series
By Brad Rowland
The Atlanta Braves are in full rebuilding mode, and as a result, expectations for the 2015 MLB season are extremely low in some corners of the fan base. However, it isn’t just the fan base that has worries about the 2015 season, as leading online bookmaker Bovada has installed the team as a 33-to-1 longshot to win the 2015 World Series.
For comparison sake, the 33-to-1 listing places the Braves in a tie for 17th-place among MLB teams, with the same odds as the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets. On the heels of the acquisition of Max Scherzer, the NL East rival Washington Nationals have the lowest odds to win the title at 6-to-1, and they are joined in the top five by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels.
The Atlanta Braves could have serious offensive issues this season, with only Freddie Freeman returning from a strong offensive core a year ago. Given the lack of offensive production across the board with the trio of Justin Upton, Evan Gattis and Jason Heyward on board, it is perfectly reasonable to expect a drop-off, and not even a strong starting rotation bolstered by the likes of Shelby Miller can overcome that offensive dip in the public perception.
It is important to note that the Kansas City Royals were similar “longshots” just a year ago, meaning that this version of the Atlanta Braves should not be fully counted out from contention. Still, it is very difficult to make a case for contention in the NL East with the presence of Washington, making it nearly impossible to illustrate a path to World Series contention for an organization that has clearly made the shift toward rebuilding by wheeling and dealing this off-season.
The Atlanta Braves aren’t necessarily trying to win the World Series, but if you want to wager with your heart, you’ll be getting 33-to-1 odds on your hard-earned dollars.