MLB released the updated World Series odds on Thursday, the day in which the second half started.
Your World Series odds going into the 2nd half.
Who are you taking? pic.twitter.com/ySrvrh3Fzi
— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2022
The New York Yankees, owners of the best record in the league, have the best odds, at +325.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves are right behind.
But what about the Cleveland Guardians?
At +10000, they have the 17th-best odds to win the World Series in MLB.
That means they face an uphill battle if they want to go to the Fall Classic.
Just making the postseason will be a tough challenge for the young Guardians squad, but in a best-case scenario, they could make things interesting in the American League playoff picture.
Right now, their rotation appears to have two aces in Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie.
After that, Zach Plesac, Cal Quantrill, Konnor Pilkington, and Aaron Civale are serviceable.
The Offense Could Use Some Impact Bats
The lineup is in need of additional thumpers, though.
Josh Naylor, Andres Gimenez, and obviously Jose Ramirez qualify as above-average hitters, but other capable batters need to find more consistency: Steven Kwan, Owen Miller, Franmil Reyes, and Amed Rosario are good examples.
If the Guardians could use some of their obvious prospect depth to pull off an impact trade, perhaps they could improve their World Series odds.
This might not be the perfect year to sacrifice prospect depth, though, so the team will likely depend on some current young major leaguers taking a step forward, such as Nolan Jones.
At 46-44, they are not a superstar away from true contention, unless that superstar’s name is Juan Soto.
They may have the prospects and young MLB players to lure him out of Washington, but they are highly unlikely to ever extend him and that makes a deal unlikely.
All in all, Cleveland will likely fight with what they have in 2022, unless they score a major winning streak before the deadline.
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