World Series Betting Odds: Nationals enter season as futures favorites

The Washington Nationals enter the 2015 MLB season as the favorites to win the World Series at the sportsbooks.

The Washington Nationals went 97-69 last season (including playoffs) with an 81-51 record as the betting favorite. Those numbers could improve this year as the Nationals enter the season as the favorite on the odds to win the World Series.

Washington is a 6/1 favorite to win the World Series in 2015 according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. With the acquisition of ace pitcher Max Scherzer through free agency the Nationals have what most would consider to be the best five-man staff in baseball in Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister. Washington will be sending the superior starting pitcher to the mound in the majority of its matchups this year, which should lead to a lot of wins.

After a few disappointing seasons as favorites to win the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers (17/2 to win the title) are hoping they can cash in this season. The Dodgers added Joel Peralta to the bullpen, Brandon McCarthy to the starting rotation and Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick to the infield.

Of course the Dodgers' main weapon is still Clayton Kershaw, who is going off at 1/1 to win the NL Cy Young award as he has in three of the last four seasons.

Over in the American League, just one year after finishing in last place in the American League East with a 71-91 record, the Boston Red Sox are going off at 10/1 to win the World Series on the latest baseball betting futures. With the additions of Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval many consider Boston's offense to be one of the best in baseball on paper heading into the season.

This could also be the year that the Seattle Mariners (12/1) finally make their push. With Nelson Cruz joining Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager the Mariners have some punch on offense. Felix Hernandez leads a young pitching staff that could be one of the league's best if it plays to its potential.

Other early contenders on the odds to win the World Series include the St. Louis Cardinals at 12/1, the Los Angeles Angels at 14/1, the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers at 16/1 and the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants at 20/1.

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