Red Sox Still Substantial Underdogs To Make MLB Playoffs Despite Hot Stretch
Boston's odds dipped from +750 to +310
After winning their fifth consecutive ballgame, the Boston Red Sox are 38-35 and sit only 1 1/2 games out of the American League wild-card race.
And yet bookmakers still aren't quite believers.
DraftKings Sportsbook is dealing the Red Sox at +310 to make the playoffs and -390 to miss. So, a $100 "make" bet nets you over $400 if Boston finishes strong and earns a berth in baseball's 12-team postseason gauntlet.
Those odds imply a 24% chance of probability.
Odds to make playoffs at DraftKings:
Texas Rangers -390 ($390 wins $100)
Baltimore Orioles -180
New York Yankees -175
Minnesota Twins -170
Houston Astros -150
Toronto Blue Jays -125
Los Angeles Angels +120
Cleveland Guardians +210
Boston Red Sox +310
Seattle Mariners +320
Chicago White Sox +800
Detroit Tigers +2000 ($100 wins $2,000)
It's worth noting the Sox were +750 "to make" seven days ago, proof that the house always catches up.
"The lineup is finally back to full strength," one professional bettor told NESN. "This was never going to be a team that would pitch its way into the playoffs.
"The emergence of (Alex) Verdugo and (Jarren) Duran allows for tons of flexibility on top. There's plenty of thump in the middle with (Justin) Turner, (Adam) Duvall and (Masataka) Yoshida. And look out if Raffy Devers starts hitting again.
"Boston scored nine runs (Monday) with the 3-4-5 hitters going 0-for-12."
Let's not forget about Trevor Story, whose return is near. Sox manager Alex Cora floated the idea of Story joining the party as a hitter in July and a full-time shortstop in August. Story wholeheartedly believes he can still play the position at a high level.
We'll see.
Truth is, the Red Sox are still a last-place team.
Their starting pitchers have the seventh-worst ERA in baseball, and while there's optimism about ace Chris Sale's eventual return, nobody really knows when he'll throw his next pitch or how effective he'll be. Also, the Yankees, Astros and Blue Jays will eventually snap their losing streaks to ensure this year's wild-card rollercoaster is one of the wildest of all time.
It's a pass for me, but +310 is available if you believe the Red Sox will slug their way into the playoffs a la 2021.
