World Series Betting Handles: Ohtani Most Bet On For MVP

The World Series is a mere few hours away, and the public is betting up a storm. A Dodgers-Yankees final will drum up plenty of action, and the World Series betting handles reflect that excitement ahead of Game 1.

Sportsbooks, like BetMGM, expect loads of action as the two high-profile clubs meet.

Here are the most popular World Series betting handles:

Dodgers vs Yankees Series Prices: Dodgers Getting Action

The Dodgers are narrowly favored to win the World Series, and, as such, most of the money is on Los Angeles to win it all. While the Yanks are seeing more tickets (59%), the heavier cash is coming in on the Dodgers, who have received 62% of the money at BetMGM.

Either way, there could be some heavy payouts, as the Dodgers opened the year at +800 to win the World Series, while the Yanks sat at +1600 at the start of the year.

World Series Betting Handles (Series) - Highest Handle %

Dodgers 15.8%
Yankees 13.8%
Phillies 12.8%

World Series Betting Handles (Series) - Highest Ticket %

Dodgers 11.5%
Yankees 11.3%
Phillies 9.3%

World Series MVP Betting Handles

Shohei Ohtani 43%
Aaron Judge 7.5%
Fernando Tatis Jr. 5%

As you can imagine, this year's World Series MVP odds represent a busy market. At BetMGM, 43% of the money is on Shohei Ohtani to win the award (which makes sense, as he is currently favored). Aaron Judge makes up 7.5% of the money.

For ticket percentage, Ohtani sits at 23.4%, with Judge at 8.6%.

"The Dodgers to win in seven games and any player other than Shohei Ohtani to win MVP would be great outcomes [for our sportsbook],” said Halvor Egeland, Trading Manager at BetMGM.

Personally, I'm leaning toward value down the board (see Giancarlo Stanton at +950), but I understand why Ohtani has commanded most of the action. If the Dodgers go nuts and win it all, he'll be right in the thick of things.

World Series Game 1 Betting Handles: Yanks Are Popular Underdogs

Bettors like the Yankees as narrow underdogs in Game 1, with 53% of the money at BetMGM on the Bronx Bombers. Bettors also love the OVER, with an 84% handle on that play.

That said, bettors are much keener on the Dodgers' -1.5 runline, where a whopping 90% of bettors expects Los Angeles to win by two or more runs.

This all checks out. I'm a fan of the OVER in Game 1, as I expect Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty to run into some trouble on the mound. It makes sense then, that a runline bet would be in play.