2023 MLB Season Recap
Last year was a triumphant one for the Texas Rangers, who won their third American League pennant and first World Series title in franchise history, erasing the memory of consecutive WS losses in 2010-11 to Giants and Cardinals. The organization had played nearly 10,000 regular season games dating back to the days of the Washington Senators from 1961-71 before hoisting the iconic trophy.
Manager Bruce Bochy won a fourth World Series title during his first season in Arlington, further solidifying his Hall of Fame credentials. Bochy is one of three managers to steer teams in both the American and National Leagues to a championship and is one of five skippers to win four or more World Series.
Those milestones came at the expense of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were making their first World Series appearance since they achieved victory in 2001. It was a surprising accomplishment for the young, resurgent franchise that plays in a division with high-payroll teams like the Dodgers and Padres.
The matchup between the Rangers and D’Backs marked the first time since 2016 that neither Houston nor the LA Dodgers represented their league in the World Series. 2023 was also the first World Series in a decade with two Wild Card teams playing for the championship and only the third time since 2000.
Top Teams in 2024 and Their Biggest Offseason Moves
From December 9-23, 2023, the Dodgers inked Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow to long-term deals worth $1.2B. LA also added Teoscar Hernandez and James Paxton as one-year rentals and re-signed Walker Buehler, Dustin May, Max Muncy, and Will Smith among others in the hopes of winning another title. These moves rocketed LA’s World Series odds to the top of the sheet after opening behind Atlanta.
Doing their best to keep pace, the Braves traded for Chris Sale and signed him to a two-year extension, traded for outfielder Jarred Kelenic and relief pitcher Aaron Bummer, and re-signed 2022 Cy Young runner-up Max Fried and AJ Minter. Atlanta has the second-best preseason odds currently with the third-highest payroll in their own division.
After making their seventh consecutive ALCS appearance in 2023 but falling short of another World Series trip, Houston decided to fortify their bullpen by signing five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader to 5-year, $95M contract. The retained the services of Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker with offseason extensions, and would tie Atlanta’s record of eight straight LCS appearances from 1991-99 with another in 2024.
The Yankees are projected to boast the highest payroll in baseball this season. The Empire traded for Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo to bolster their outfield and add lefty power to the lineup, signed Marcus Stroman in free agency to provide an elite one-two punch with Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, and re-upped contracts with Gleybar Torres and Clay Holmes to keep them in pinstripes in 2024.
Fellow AL East contender Baltimore had a quiet offseason until February, when they acquired former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes from Brewers for a pair of prospects and announced the Angelos family would be selling the team. The O’s signed extensions with lineup staples Anthony Santander and Cedric Mullins to build on their 100-win season in 2023.
The defending champs find themselves falling behind on odds lists after the arms race in talent acquisition from those other organizations. Texas signed reliever David Robertson and starter Tyler Mahle as free agents while re-signing key contributors from their 2023 title run like catcher Jonah Heim and starter Dane Dunning to maintain continuity for the upcoming year.
Their potential playoff starting rotation could be led by Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Nathan Eovaldi if all are healthy entering September, which is a frightening proposition for others in the AL.
Contenders Within Striking Distance
Philadelphia was a game away from consecutive World Series appearances but couldn’t overcome the streaking D’Backs team that ultimately represented the National League against Texas. The Phils saw Rhys Hoskins depart in free agency with Bryce Harper’s transition to playing first base complete, and re-signed Aaron Nola and Ranger Suarez while keeping the rest of their infield and outfield intact.
After playing spoiler for the Phillies and others in 2023, Arizona won’t be sneaking up on teams this season. The Diamondbacks traded for third baseman Eugenio Suarez, extended ace Zac Gallen, slugger Christian Walker, and postseason hero Lourdes Gurriel, and signed Joc Pederson and Eduardo Rodriguez to free agent contracts. They have some value on the board and will play in the shadow of the Dodgers in the NL West this season.
Seattle, the team that sent Suarez to Arizona, traded for Jorge Polanco and Luke Raley, signed Mitch Garber, and shed the contracts of Jarred Kelenic and Teoscar Hernandez which proved to be burdensome in 2023. The Mariners are in a similar position to the Diamondbacks, with two top teams to contend with in the AL West.
True to form, Tampa Bay divested their assets by trading away the expiring contract of Tyler Glasnow along with Luke Raley and Manuel Margot before it became too expensive. The Rays acquired reliever Phil Maton via free agency and signed pre-arbitration deals to extend key players like Shane McLanahan, Randy Arozarena, and Aaron Civale through at least 2024.
Will the Midwest Make Some Noise?
The Milwaukee Brewers swapped first baasemen this offseason, signing Hoskins from Philly on a two-year deal and allowing Rowdy Tellez to depart in free agency after a disappointing 2023. Other departures for the Brew Crew include backup catcher Victor Caratini and former Silver Slugger Carlos Santana.
After a last-place finnish in the NL Central in 2023, St. Louis went shopping. The Cardinals signed Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson, and welcomed Lance Lynn back on free agent deals while also trading for reliever Andrew Kittredge to shore up their rotation and bullpen.
They’ll need to talent to compete with the rising Cincinnati Reds, who racked up more than $100M in total contracts by signing third baseman Jeimer Candelario and pitchers Nick Martinez, Frankie Montas, and Emilio Pagan. The combination of experience and young talent for the Reds makes them hard to ignore after the 2023 debuts of Elly De La Cruz and Christian Encarnacion-Strand among others.
A pair of central division teams in each league gave up more than they retained this offseason, with the Cubs and Twins losing their pitching aces without any notable offsetting signings. Cody Bellinger remains a big question mark on whether he’ll return to to Chicago after winning the Silver Slugger among utility hitters in the NL last season. That would certainly improve the sentiments of the Wrigley faithful after seeing Stroman leave for the Bronx.
Best Bets for the 2024 MLB World Series
It's never too early to add some futures to your MLB betting portfolio. We've crunched all of the numbers and found the following 4 best bets. Good luck!
Atlanta Braves +650 (Bet365)
The 2021 champs have arguably the best starting rotation in the majors with the addition of Sale and retention of Fried to pair with a lineup that ranked first in runs, hits, home runs, total bases, batting average, OBP, and SLG in 2023.
Consecutive NLDS losses to the Phillies in the NLDS have given this youthful team helpful doses of perspective and humility, and they will benefit from that in the postseason.
Baltimore Orioles +1500 (Bet365)
Not many predicted the O’s would win the AL East and beat up on their division foes as they did in 2023. Baltimore’s farm system continues to generate big league talent at an alarming rate.
With #1 prospect Jackson Holliday reaching Triple-A before turning 20, there are no signs of slowing down. Adding Burnes to the top of their rotation was a necessary move and cements the Orioles as a serious contender.
Texas Rangers +1500 (BetRivers)
The Rangers won the championship despite extended regular season absences for Corey Seager and Max Scherzer, not to mention the season-ending injury Jacob deGrom suffered before May.
Their roster will look virtually identical to the one that prevailed in last year’s World Series, and if Texas has their three-headed monster of a rotation ready to roll in October it wil be tough to beat them in a three, five, or seven-game series.
St. Louis Cardinals +3500 (BetRivers)
St. Louis could be this year’s surprise team in the NL after a thoroughly disappointing 2023 season. Their rotation added three seasoned arms in Gray, Gibson, and Lynn to replace Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, and Adam Wainwright.
However, the real question mark is whether their expensive lineup will produce more than the league average of runs per game this year. If the Cards can put both pieces together, they can compete for the NL Central and would be a tough team to eliminate from the postseason.
Past Winners of the MLB World Series
Wanting to add to your Major League Baseball knowledge? The following table can be just what you're looking for. We've compiled the following list of all MLB World Series winners from 1997 to 2023.
| Year | World Series Winner |
|---|
| 2023 | Texas Rangers |
| 2022 | Houston Astros |
| 2021 | Atlanta Braves |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| 2019 | Washington Nationals |
| 2018 | Boston Red Sox |
| 2017 | Houston Astros |
| 2016 | Chicago Cubs |
| 2015 | Kansas City Royals |
| 2014 | San Francisco Giants |
| 2013 | Boston Red Sox |
| 2012 | San Francisco Giants |
| 2011 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2010 | San Francisco Giants |
| 2009 | New York Yankees |
| 2008 | Philadelphia Phillies |
| 2007 | Boston Red Sox |
| 2006 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2005 | Chicago White Sox |
| 2004 | Boston Red Sox |
| 2003 | Florida Marlins |
| 2002 | Los Angeles Angels |
| 2001 | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2000 | New York Yankees |
| 1999 | New York Yankees |
| 1998 | New York Yankees |
| 1997 | Florida Marlins |
MLB World Series FAQ
Have more questions about the MLB World Series? We've done all the research for you and provided the following frequently asked questions and answers!
No sport in America has a history as rich as baseball. It's a very statistical-driven game, which makes it a favorite among numbers-loving sports bettors.
What Major League Baseball team has won the most World Series titles?
The Major League Baseball team that has won the most World Series titles is the New York Yankees. As of the end of the 2021 MLB season, the Yankees have won 27 World Series championships, the most recent one coming in 2009. The Yankees have a long and storied history, and their success over the years has made them one of the most well-known and celebrated teams in all of sports.
What player has the most home runs in World Series history?
The player with the most home runs in World Series history is Mickey Mantle. "The Mick" hit 18 home runs in World Series play during his career. Mantle is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, and his ability to hit for power and average helped him to achieve many of the game's most significant records.
What pitcher has the most wins in World Series history?
The pitcher with the most wins in World Series history is Whitey Ford. Ford won 10 games in World Series play during his career with the New York Yankees, which spanned from 1950 to 1967. He also holds the record for the most strikeouts by a pitcher in World Series history, with 94. Ford was known for his pinpoint control, as well as his ability to perform well in pressure situations. His success in the World Series helped to cement his legacy as one of the game's all-time greats, and his achievements continue to be celebrated by baseball fans and historians to this day.
Has an MLB manager ever won a World Series title with multiple teams?
Yes, there have been several Major League Baseball managers who have won World Series titles with multiple teams. Some of the most notable examples include:
Sparky Anderson: Anderson won the World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976, and then later won the title with the Detroit Tigers in 1984.
Joe Torre: Torre won four World Series titles with the New York Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000, and then later won one with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009.
Tony La Russa: La Russa won the World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1989, and then later won it with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 and 2011.
These are just a few examples, and there have been other managers who have achieved similar feats over the years. Winning a World Series title is a significant achievement for any manager, and doing it with multiple teams only adds to their legacy and reputation within the game.
What team won the first-ever World Series?
The first ever World Series was won by the Boston Americans, now known as the Boston Red Sox, in 1903. The Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates five games to three in the best-of-nine series to claim the championship. The World Series was created that year as a postseason exhibition series between the champions of the American League and the National League. It has since become one of the most important and celebrated events in the world of sports. The Red Sox, of course, have gone on to win several more World Series titles over the years, and their success in the early years of the championship helped to establish them as one of the most storied and respected franchises in all of baseball.
