It’s a familiar narrative: the Los Angeles Dodgers have once again secured the most sought-after free agent, skyrocketing their odds of clinching yet another World Series title.
Even before they inked a four-year, $240 million deal with Tucker, the Dodgers were already the favorites to claim a third consecutive championship. This high-profile signing has further strengthened their odds, propelling them into rarefied territory.
At BetMGM Sportsbook, Los Angeles now stands at +225 odds to achieve a three-peat, marking them as the most heavily favored team at the start of a season since the 2003 Yankees. Back then, the Yankees were at +200 to claim the Commissioner’s Trophy, though they ultimately fell to the Marlins in that year’s World Series, according to Sports Odds History.
For the Dodgers, this marks the third straight year—and the fourth in the past five seasons—that they begin as the clear-cut favorites to dominate the league.
Tucker, who turns 29 on January 17, delivered an impressive performance last year with the Chicago Cubs. He achieved an .841 OPS, a .363 wOBA, and a 4.5 WAR, alongside a .266 batting average and 22 home runs over 136 games in the 2025 season.
Tucker, who will turn 29 on Jan. 17, posted an .841 OPS, .363 wOBA and 4.5 WAR to go along with a .266 batting average and 22 home runs in 136 games with the Chicago Cubs in 2025.
The outfielder spent the first seven years of his career with the Astros.
And it’s not just who Tucker signed with that impacted the market, but who didn’t join.
The Mets, Blue Jays, and Yankees were connected with the outfielder to some degree this offseason, as the three contenders tried to bridge the gap between them and the Dodgers.
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Instead, Tucker expanded the gulf, forcing the clubs he spurned to pivot to Plan B.
Tucker’s decision to make the rich richer caused the Yankees to drift from +750 to 10/1. The Pinstripes were the only other team with single-digit odds before the news broke.
2026 World Series odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +225 |
| New York Yankees | 10/1 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 13/1 |
| Seattle Mariners | 13/1 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 13/1 |
| Houston Astros | 14/1 |
| Atlanta Braves | 16/1 |
| Boston Red Sox | 16/1 |
| New York Mets | 16/1 |
| Chicago Cubs | 20/1 |
There is one premier free agent remaining in Cody Bellinger who could impact the odds, but the Dodgers will be the rampant favorite when the curtain rises on the 2026 MLB season on March 25.
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Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
