MLB World Series 2023 Expert Roundtable: Who will win the World Series in 2023

Atlanta Braves hitters Austin Riley and Matt Olson
Photo of Andrew Wilsher

Andrew Wilsher

MLB

Show Bio

Managing Editor of Pickswise. Born and raised in jolly old London, England, with an undying love for the NFL, NBA, soccer and horse racing. A big-time sports bettor who loves futures markets and backing underdogs. Long-suffering New York Jets fan.

The 2023 MLB season is upon us. On Thursday, the marathon 162-game season gets underway that will take us right through to November when one team will stand tall at the end of the playoffs as World Series winners. But which team will it be? Here at Pickswise, we’ve asked our best MLB handicappers to give their picks for who wins the MLB World Series this season. That’s 5 World Series best bets, all in 1 place! Let’s get into who our experts are backing to go all the way, with odds courtesy of BetMGM.

BetMGM is the king of online sportsbooks, and right now they have a great new customer promotion where you can claim a $1,000 deposit bonus by signing up right now! Click this link to join BetMGM.

Keith Schmelter’s MLB World Series winner pick: Atlanta Braves (+750)

If you asked me this question a few weeks ago, I would have leaned toward the Astros defending their title. However, injuries to Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez have me worried about their start to the season. That brought me to the Braves, and the more I looked into them, the more I liked what I saw.

Atlanta might have one of the youngest teams in the league this season as their prospects continue to grow into stars of the game. Last year, Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II were in a heated race for National League Rookie of the Year, which marked one of the first times in baseball history that teammates were the two favorites for the award. And towards the end of the year, Vaughn Grissom burst onto the scene and hit .291 in 41 games. Because of Grissom’s success and his potential at just 22 years old, the Braves were content with letting Dansby Swanson walk in free agency.

The Yankees, Dodgers and Astros may have more all-stars in their lineup, but the Braves might have the best overall team in baseball this season. At +750 odds, I think Atlanta is being undervalued.

Mets or Braves? Check out our full NL East predictions

JutPicks’ MLB World Series winner pick: St. Louis Cardinals (+2000)

The Cardinals will look to avoid falling in the Wild Card round for the 4th straight season and this just may be the year to make a run. Other than bringing in former Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras and the retirements of all-time greats Albert Pujols and Yadi Molina, it was a quiet off-season. Playing in a lackluster NL Central, the Cardinals are the clear-cut favorites and even with the new scheduling format the MLB released, they should roll into the postseason and win upwards of 95 games.

St. Louis is always a threat to make a move at the trade deadline, as we saw them bring in lefty starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery who had a 3.11 ERA as a member of the Cards. Led by reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt and 3rd-place finisher Nolan Arenado, this lineup is as solid as they come. Barring any injuries, I fully expect the Cardinals to be in the postseason. As we saw with the Philadelphia Phillies last year, anything can happen in October.

Lock in our MLB division winner mega parlay at +1163 odds

Caleb Wilfinger’s MLB World Series winner pick: Atlanta Braves (+750)

The Braves had a disappointing end to their 2022 season, as they failed to defend their World Series title. However, I think Atlanta reclaims the crown as Major League Baseball’s best team this season. The Braves have arguably the best roster in baseball, boasting depth and talent at nearly every position. Furthermore, significant injuries to key players on the Mets and Phillies should give Atlanta the inside track to securing another NL East crown.

Once the Braves get into the postseason, I trust Spencer Strider, Max Fried and the Atlanta bullpen to be excellent against quality opponents. The same goes for a lineup that is loaded from top to bottom. Compared to the other World Series contenders, Atlanta has the highest upside at this price.

You can bet on this Braves pick over at Caesars, which has a great sign-up offer where you can get up to $1,250 back on your first bet! Click here to sign up for Caesars right now.

Javan Shouey’s MLB World Series winner pick: Seattle Mariners (+1800)

The Seattle Mariners snapped their 20-year playoff drought last season and even beat the Toronto Blue Jays in the wild-card round. With back-to-back 90-win seasons and a well-rounded roster, Seattle has my attention as a true World Series contender this year. Luis Castillo, Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert and George Kirby make up one of the better rotations in baseball. Paul Sewald, Andres Munoz, Diego Castillo, Matt Brash and Penn Murfee headline one of the better bullpens in the sport. 2022 AL ROY Julio Rodriguez spearheads a well-rounded lineup that has added Teoscar Hernandez, Kolton Wong, AJ Pollock in the off-season. Ty France, JP Crawford, Eugenio Saurez and Cal Raleigh round out a group that has plenty of potential.

Having the Astros in their division is a clear deterrent, but this team has a terrific mix of youthful talent and veteran leadership, and with a front office willing to make splashes, I want to invest in this team from the beginning of the year.

Check out our MLB Cy Young picks, including a +1600 longshot

Ahaan Rungta’s MLB World Series winner pick: Atlanta Braves (+750)

There are very few teams that are currently on a streak of playoff appearances, have a recent World Series run, and yet have improved further this offseason. The 2023 Atlanta Braves and their crafty front office match that description. After winning the World Series in 2021 despite missing half a season of Ronald Acuña Jr., they won their division in 2022 but fell to the eventual pennant-winning Philadelphia Phillies.

The Braves’ lineup has plenty of boom and they added insurance to that squad via catcher Sean Murphy, who has a career 116 wRC+ and a Gold Glove under his belt already. Additionally, Atlanta’s starting pitchers ranked #3 in MLB as a staff in xFIP last season and have the potential to be even better this season as Spencer Strider now has completed a full offseason preparing to be a starter. Add in a restructured bullpen with the recent acquisitions of Raisel Iglesias and Joe Jiménez, and the Braves could be the best roster in baseball by the end of the season under skilled manager Brian Snitker. Getting +750 on this group to win their 2nd World Series in 3 years is good value.

If you want to use a sportsbook that has an easy-to-use app and no hassle, then Bet365 could be the one for you. Click this link to sign up now and secure $365 in bonus bets.

Pickswise is the home of free MLB Picks. Check out the latest MLB Prop Bets and MLB Parlays as well as our MLB Best Bets from the experts.

Virginia Bonuses

See All
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win + $25 Bonus Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet and get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Plus receive a $25 Bonus Bet after placing your qualifying wager

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, OH, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
FanDuel Sportsbook
No Sweat First Bet - Up To $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if you Lose

Sign up for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account

Make a first-time deposit of $10+, and then place your first wager on any sports market

Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets if you lose!

Must be 21+. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 14 days after receipt. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook.
DraftKings
Bet $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets instantly

Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook and make your first deposit

Make your first deposit and bet $5+ on any sports market

Get $150 in bonus bets instantly

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. $150 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com.
bet365
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets!

Register for a new bet365 account

Place qualifying bets of $1 or more

Get $200 in bonus bets - no matter if your bet wins or loses

New Customer Offer. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bonus Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. Must be physically located in VA.
WynnBet
Bet $100 & Get $100 Bet Credit

Register for a WynnBET account today.

Deposit & Wager $100 on any sports market (odds -120 or greater).

Get a $100 Bet Credit.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers
Get up to $500 Back in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Doesn't Win

Sign up for a new BetRivers account using promo code SPORTS

Make your first deposit & and bet up to $500

If your first bet loses, get up to $500 back in bonus bets

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF
Caesars Sportsbook
Your First Cash Bet Is On Caesars Up To $1,250

Sign up for a new Caesars Sportsbook account and Place your 1st wager of $10 or more

If you lose, you get 100% of your stake back as a Bet Credit - up to $1,250.

AND win or lose, you’ll also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

21+. New users and first wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bet credit $1,250; must be used within 14 days of receipt. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Unibet
Get up to $100 Back in Bonus Bets if your First Bet Doesn't Win

Register for a new Unibet account & make a deposit

Place your first bet up to $100 free!

Get $100 back in bonus bets if your wager loses

New players only. Terms & conditions apply. 21+. VA only.
DraftKings
Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus

Create a new DraftKings Sportsbook account and make your first deposit (min $5)

DraftKings will match 20% of your deposit up to $1,000 total

To get a $100 bonus, deposit $500

21+. Terms & conditions apply.
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win Your First Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet up to $1,000!

Get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, MA 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
DraftKings
Get a +1000 Odds Boost on Any Golfer to Win any Tournament

Create a New DraftKings Account

Make Your First Deposit Of $5+ Into Your Sportsbook Account

Following Sign Up, You’ll Be Issued With One (1) Single-Use +1000 Odds Surge Token For Any Golfer To Win Any Tournament

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer
Underdog Fantasy
First deposit is 100% matched up to $100 with Underdog Fantasy

Sign up for a new account with Underdog Fantasy

Make your first deposit

Every dollar (up to $100) will be matched! Deposit $25, get $50; deposit $100, get $200, etc

Must be 21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply
Owners Box
First Time Deposit Bonus Up To $500

Sign up for a new DFS account with OwnersBox

User's first deposit will be matched up to $500 in site-credit

Join one of their Daily NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL contests

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to receive deposit bonuses, participate in Contests, or win prizes offered through OwnersBox Contests. In jurisdictions, territories, and locations where the minimum age for permissible use of Contests is greater than eighteen (18) years old, you must meet the age requirement in your local jurisdiction or territory.
TVG
Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back Up to $200 if you don't win

Register for a new TVG account and make a deposit

Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200

If your horse doesn't win you'll get a refund up to $300

21+. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
TwinSpires
Get a $200 Sign-Up Bonus for The Preakness with Twinspires Racebook

Open your TwinSpires.com account using offer code BET200

$200 bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered

To earn the full $200 bonus players must wager $800 within 30 days

21+. Terms and conditions apply.