Andrew Wilsher
MLB
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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.
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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.
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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.
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