After the 2021 MLB season began months ago, this year’s World Series teams were finally decided over the weekend. The Atlanta Braves (88-73) will be looking to win their first championship since 1995 as they take on the Houston Astros (95-67), who won their first title back in 2017. With both teams absolutely loaded with talent, there’s a good chance that this will be quite the entertaining series.
With that being said, there’s still a lot to process about the World Series, from its schedule to the odds heading into baseball’s biggest time of the year. That’s why USGS has composed this betting guide with everything you need to know, whether you’re going to casually watch the Braves and Astros or put some money down on the series.
World Series: Braves vs Astros Schedule
- Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 26 @ Houston, 8:09 p.m. EST
- Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 27 @ Houston 8:09 p.m. EST
- Game 3: Friday, Oct. 29 @ Atlanta 8:09 p.m. EST
- Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 30 @ Atlanta 8:09 p.m. EST
- Game 5: Sunday, Oct. 31 @ Atlanta 8:09 p.m. EST*
- Game 6: Tuesday, Nov. 2 @ Houston 8:09 p.m. EST*
- Game 7: Wednesday, Nov. 3 @ Houston 8:09 p.m. EST*
* If the World Series game is necessary.
Braves vs Astros Stats
It’s been a long time since these two teams have clashed. The last time they faced each other was back in 2017 when the Astros swept the season series 4-0. A lot has changed since then, however, that doesn’t change the fact that Atlanta hasn’t defeated Houston since June 2014.
The Astros had the best offense in the 2021 MLB season, averaging 5.41 runs per game. The Braves weren’t too far behind, averaging 4.85 — the eighth-best average in the league. Defensively, both teams were among the best as well. Houston gave up 4.09 runs per game (T-7th) while Atlanta surrendered 4.03 (5th).
World Series Game 1 Odds: Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros
Odds via Bovada as of Monday, October 25
- Atlanta Braves (88-73) vs Houston Astros (95-67)
- Spread: Braves +1.5 (-175) vs Astros -1.5 (+150)
- Moneyline: Braves (+110) vs Astros (-132)
- Total: 8.5 runs — Over (+100), Under (-120)
- World Series Odds: Braves (N/A) vs Astros (N/A)
A complete list of World Series markets will be available at Bovada.lv.
2021 World Series Markets
As with any major sporting event, there is a variety of betting markets for the 2021 World Series. It might be tough to decide which market works best for you, so here’s a look at some of the ones that you can expect.
Future
Future markets are the simplest and most popular when it comes to sporting championships. For example, all you have to do is select whether you think the Astros or Braves will win the World Series and you’re done. There are also future markets for deciding the World Series MVP, which is as simple as it sounds.
Head-to-Head Matchups
While choosing the World Series winner is a one-wager commitment, some bettors enjoy having more of a variety. That’s what head-to-head matchups are for. Instead of choosing the outright winner of the series, you can wager on the individual games instead. Betting options for those include moneyline, spread, total and more markets. It works exactly like betting on baseball during the regular season, except with the championship on the line.
Prop Bets
Prop bets are unique markets that add some extra excitement to your baseball watching. Instead of focusing on the winner or loser of each game, you can wager on how many home runs will be hit or whether Game 5 will need extra innings to decide the winner. There are also series-related prop bets, ranging from markets such as how many games will be needed to decide the winner and or how many strikeouts there’ll be in a given contest. There really is no limit to what can be used as a prop bet, so always keep your eyes open.
World Series Betting FAQ
What’s the easiest market World Series market to wager on?
If you’re a beginning, the futures markets are easiest because you simply choose which team you like more, sit back and wait for the series to finish.
Is there a limit to how much I can wager?
Most online sportsbooks have limits as to how much a bettor can wager. For example, Bovada has set a maximum of $2,000 for MLB moneyline wagers. These can vary from site to site, however, you’ll likely receive a prompt if you’re trying to bet more than what’s allowed.
Will the World Series odds change?
Yes! Odds can change depending on who wins and loses, home-field advantage and injuries. That’s why it’s always important to research and stay up to date with the latest World Series odds.
