MLB Playoffs Divisional Series schedule, odds and betting preview

The MLB Playoffs Wild Card Round ended quickly for the two American League favorites. The surging Detroit Tigers defeated the Houston Astros and the Kansas City Royals were also best in a two-game win over the Baltimore Orioles. The San Diego Padres defeated the Atlanta Braves to set up a showdown with their NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Divisional Series (NLDS).

“This is what everyone wanted,” Padres star Manny Machado told ESPN while facing the Dodgers.

The New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers' WC series are tied 1-1 and Thursday's winner will advance to the NLDS to face the Philadelphia Phillies.

Three of the series odds will be set in the ALDS and NLDS games and Game 1 begins on Saturday, October 5th and will be posted at leading online sportsbooks.

The thrill and excitement of the Major League Baseball playoffs were on full display in the Wild Card round. The passion of fans and players for playoff baseball brings out the best in sports and competition, and the 5-game division series will drive increased engagement and increased viewing and betting action.

The leading online sportsbooks joined the Royals in rejoicing in the Tigers' upset, as DraftKings reported that more than 70% of the money to win their series went to the Astros and Orioles. Bettors backed the San Diego Padres even more, while the New York Mets were the only Series underdog to receive a larger percentage of the money, as New York bettors backed the Mets and Yankees in the next round of the ALDS.

But the surprising and up-and-coming Detroit Tigers have overcome long odds to reach the postseason. According to FanGraphs, Detroit had less than a 1% chance of reaching the postseason as of August 11th. The Tigers also had odds of 350/1 to win the American League pennant.

The MLB playoffs will take on NCAA football and the NFL on Saturday and Sunday for viewers and bettors. But baseball in October holds its own while providing unforgettable moments during the best time of the sports season.

MLB Division Round Series and Odds

Major League Baseball Opportunities from FanDuel Sportsbook are updated regularly and are subject to change, including props and live betting. Betting favorites (-) and underdogs (+)

MLB postseason series previewStats, odds, tips and props

The ALDS is broadcast on TBS and the NLDS on FOX and FS1.

Of course, there are many ways to bet on baseball that go beyond just moneyline odds or game totals. The most popular are player props and especially home run props.

Game 1 Moneyline Odds and Pitchers

Sat., Oct. 5

The starting players are still being determined and will be updated once announced.

• Detroit (+122) at Cleveland (-144) – 7 runs / TBD vs. T. Bibee
• Kansas City (+166) at New York (-198) – 8 runs / TBD vs. G. Cole
• San Diego (+126) at Los Angeles (-148) – 8 runs / D. Cease vs. J. Flaherty
• New York/Milwaukee at Philadelphia Phillies (-) / TBD vs. Z. Wheeler

The NLDS and ALDS winners will play in the National League and American League Championship Series, with the NLDS beginning Sunday, October 13th and broadcast on FOX and FS1. The ALCS begins Monday, October 14th with all games broadcast on TBS. The World Series begins Friday, October 25th and will be televised on FOX.

Odds of winning the World Series

Adjusted World Series odds from FanDuel Sportsbook are updated regularly and are subject to change.

• +290: New York Yankees
• +310: Los Angeles Dodgers
• +380: Philadelphia Phillies
• +600: San Diego Padres
• +1100: Cleveland Guardians
• +1200: Detroit Tigers
• +1400: Kansas City Rotals
• +2100: Milwaukee Brewers
• +3000: New York Mets

Rich gets richer

The teams with the highest payrolls are considered favorites to win the 2024 World Series. And the owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and the just-eliminated Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles all made it into the latest annual tally released Tuesday Forbes 400 list, making her one of the richest people in America.

I expect the Dodgers or Phillies to reach the World Series and for the National League (-140) to beat the American League representative.

You can bet on it.

MORE FROM FORBES

Forbes2024 MLB Wild Card Playoffs schedule, matchups, odds and tipsFrom Jay GinsbachForbesCollege football picks, Week 6 odds and top 25 betting reportFrom Jay GinsbachForbesThe highest paid baseball players in 2024From Justin BirnbaumForbesThese Forbes 400 billionaire owners are competing in the 2024 MLB playoffsFrom Mary Whitfill Roeloffs