2026 World Series Betting Insights: Long-Shot Teams in the Spotlight
The 2026 World Series is set to commence with an unexpected matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. ET, and the betting landscape has shifted significantly since the start of the MLB season.
At the beginning of the season, the Rays were listed at +8000 and the Brewers at +3500 in World Series futures odds. Few bettors anticipated this matchup, as the Dodgers and Yankees dominated betting activity throughout the season. However, both teams performed exceptionally well, with the Brewers achieving the best regular-season record and sweeping the Dodgers in the NLCS, while the Rays topped the AL with a strong playoff performance.
Currently, the Brewers are favored at -165 in the series odds, with the Rays as +145 underdogs. DraftKings reports that the betting activity is heavily leaning towards Milwaukee, particularly for Game 1. Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski, who had a standout season, is expected to start. Additionally, Jackson Chourio is the favorite for World Series MVP, with other players like Christian Yelich attracting attention from bettors looking for higher payouts.
