The Dodgers captured another World Series last night…
…should baseball fans get used to this sight?
L.A.’s Budding Dynasty
What Happened: When a team falls behind 3-0 in a seven-game series, losing is pretty much inevitable. Still, the Yankees made this one hurt for their fans as the Dodgers captured their second World Series title in five seasons.
A 5-0 lead? Blown. A 6-5 edge? Handed right back. A nightmare 5th inning, full of officially-scored errors combined with a mental lapse or two, doomed the Yankees’ bid to send this series back to L.A., and gave Shohei Ohtani a ring in his first season wearing Dodger blue.
Why It Matters: “Get used to it” was the message from oddsmakers once the beer and champagne spraying finished.
On BetMGM and ESPNBET, the Dodgers immediately opened as 2025 World Series favorites at +400. Those two books had the same top-5 but featured slightly differing odds: BetMGM has the Yankees and Atlanta (+800) as well as the Orioles and Phillies (+1100) at equal odds to become champs. ESPN gave the Yanks the slight nod for second, while favoring the Phillies over Baltimore.
It’s fair to wonder if a Dodgers squad that was missing several of its expected top contributors on the pitching side because of injuries might just be better next season. Although the “Dodgers have too much pitching” to “every Dodgers pitcher is hurt” storyline seemingly pops up every season; how sustainable is that?
And not to rub salt in the wound, but Juan Soto sure sounded like a guy excited to fully test free agency. Plenty of predictions have him staying in New York (one way or the other, wink wink Mets fans), but the financial might of L.A. was flexed last offseason. If Soto decides to pursue the superteam model we’ve seen in the NBA recently, it could be another long season for the Dodgers’ competition.
What We’re Watching Today
Texans at Jets (8:15 PM ET) – A perfect night to watch the Jets, a team that’s terrified its own fan base by finding rock bottom and excavating to uncover even lower depths. And somehow, despite facing the 6-2 Texans, Gang Green is favored? Truly ghoulish stuff. (More on this game and what betting trends you need below.)
Bucks at Grizzlies (7:00 PM ET) – Despite Giannis and Dame averaging 28 points a game, the Bucks have stumbled out to a 1-3 start. They’ll look to get right against the Grizzlies, who won’t be a real threat until Ja Morant returns to previous form after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury. But we know what Morant can do, and he’s on pace to average the most assists in his career, showcasing his playmaking abilities.
The Look Ahead
Texans at Jets – C.J. Stroud vs. Aaron Rodgers is certainly a tasty matchup, although these teams are headed in different directions. Houston is 6-2 and running away with the AFC South, while the Jets look to snap a five-game losing streak and keep their slim playoff chances alive. If you dare to bet on this one, keep this in mind while all that Halloween candy you were supposed to give away pumps you up:
🥴 The Jets have lost five games in a row straight up and also against the spread. (That’s what happens when the team is a favorite in three of em.) The Texans have worn their status as favorites admirably, covering ATS in three of four while giving points.
🎃 It might turn into a pumpkin before kickoff, but the line remains Texans +2.5 here. DeMeco Ryans’ team has been a dog just once this season, two weeks ago against the Packers by three points on the road. It covered successfully in a 24-22 loss.
⚰️ Four of Houston’s last five games have gone under; tonight’s O/U is set at 42.5 points. Jets games have actually gone over in three straight, although of course, books are accounting for the struggling offense and opposition (Steelers and Patriots) in two of those matchups.
🍬 Craving a player prop as if it was a full-size Snickers bar? Keep an eye on Dalton Schultz. The Texans tight end ranks fourth on the team in targets, but two of the guys ahead of him (Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins) are out with injury. Schultz has hauled in four catches in three of his last four, and should be in line for an even bigger role tonight against a Jets defense missing linebacker C.J. Moseley as well as safeties Tony Adams and Ashtyn Davis.
