The highlight of the MLB season is the World Series, sparking great excitement. Furthermore, the anticipation can increase even more in states like Illinois where betting on the World Series is both legal and secure.

Our detailed World Series betting guide will show you the various types of bets available, along with the latest live World Series odds from online sportsbooks in Illinois.

World Series futures odds at Illinois sportsbooks

Best IL sportsbooks to bet the World Series

The sports betting market in Illinois is growing quickly, offering various options for bettors to place their bets. However, some options are better than others. Here are our top three recommendations for betting on the World Series.

DraftKings Sportsbook Illinois

DraftKings’ online sportsbook has become a top choice for betting on baseball games, thanks to its user-friendly interface and wide range of features. The app and website provide an excellent live betting experience for users.

• Placing bets on World Series games as they are happening.
• Consistent promotions related to MLB
• Placing bets on World Series proposition bets and future bets.

FanDuel Sportsbook Illinois

FanDuel online sportsbook quickly rose to the top of the sports betting market with its user-friendly platform and unique features such as single-game parlays. Other standout features include:

• Betting on individual World Series games with parlays.
• Wide range of MLB promotional offers
• During the World Series, live betting and props are offered worldwide.

Best ways to bet on the World Series

There are multiple betting options available for the World Series. You can bet on individual game outcomes, place live bets during the games, or make predictions before the games begin. Here are the top ways to get in on the action:

• Individual Game Betting: You have the opportunity to wager on each individual game in the series using popular MLB betting options such as moneyline, run line, and totals.
• Series Outcome: Following the official matchup announcement, you can now place your bets on the eventual winner of the entire series.
• Future bets for the World Series can be made at any time of the year. You have the opportunity to place bets on a variety of upcoming events, such as the following year’s World Series game, immediately after the conclusion of the current year’s game.
• Prop Bets and Live Betting offer more than just game outcomes; they allow you to explore individual matchups with a range of prop bets and real-time wagering options.

While focusing on one main betting strategy can be effective, it may be beneficial to spread out your betting risk by exploring various World Series betting markets. You can choose to prioritize a specific type of bet while also diversifying your bankroll across different areas.

MLB betting odds explained

Sportsbooks will release the betting lines for all MLB games, including the World Series. The games will be listed as follows:

Team	Moneyline	Point Spread	Total
Chicago White Sox	+120	+1.5 (-110)	O 8.5 (-110)
Chicago Cubs	-130	-1.5 (-110)	U 8.5 (-110)

Next to the two names, there are numbers representing the odds and lines for the three main types of bets: moneyline, run line, and totals. Let’s explore how these bets work.

• Moneyline betting is a simple wager where you pick the team you believe will win. In this example, the Chicago Cubs are the favorites with negative odds, while the White Sox are considered the underdogs with positive odds.
• Explanation of the Run Line: The run line is a type of bet where the chosen team must either win by a certain number of runs or keep the game close in order for the bet to win. For example, if you bet on the Chicago Cubs, they must win by at least two runs. On the other hand, the White Sox can cover the run line by either keeping the game within one run or winning the game outright.
• Totals: This type of bet involves predicting the combined number of runs scored in a game. Bookmakers establish a projected total, and bettors have the option to bet on whether the actual total will be over or under that number. For example, those who bet on the over will win if the total runs scored is nine or higher, while those who bet on the under will win if the total runs scored is eight or lower.

Aside from the outcome of the game, props and live betting provide a more interactive way to participate in the action. Props, similar to side bets, typically center around the performance of individual players. For instance:

• Who will accumulate more hits and walks between Anthony Rizzo and Jose Abreu?

Live betting allows you to place bets as the game is happening, with updated odds for the main bet types as well as opportunities to wager on specific moments of the game.

• Which team, Cubs or White Sox, will be the first to score three runs?

In conclusion, every World Series game presents many opportunities for exploration. Even during a crowded time for sportsbooks, you can rest assured that you will have plenty of options available.

Betting on MLB World Series futures

The futures market allows you to make predictions on the winner of the next World Series at any time during the year. Odds for the upcoming series are typically announced soon after the current series ends, featuring all 30 MLB teams with varying chances of winning, from favorites to underdogs.

The World Series odds are constantly changing as bets are made. Throughout the season, many bettors stay engaged to find the most favorable odds for certain teams. Upon checking the board, you may see some top teams with odds listed as:

Los Angeles Dodgers  +400

New York Yankees  +550

Atlanta Braves  +900

Predicting futures accurately can result in substantial financial gains. For example, betting $100 on the Braves with odds of +900 and winning could earn you a profit of $900.

Having a long-term perspective is essential when making futures bets, so it is important to only wager money that you can afford to have tied up for an extended period of time. These bets are not settled until a winner is determined, so it is crucial to be patient. In the unlikely event that an entire MLB season is cancelled, all futures bets would be cancelled as well and the amount wagered would be returned to the bettors.

Latest odds to win World Series

As a new season approaches, it’s common for people to speculate on how things will play out. Sportsbooks also join in on the fun by offering betting lines to the public, sharing their own predictions on the upcoming events.

The oddsmakers use a wealth of data to set the numbers, carefully analyzing all factors to predict the most likely outcome. Despite this thorough process, the betting public may disagree with these predictions, causing shifts in the betting line.

If a team is heavily bet on, their odds may decrease, while teams with less attention may see their odds increase. Sportsbooks aim to balance action and minimize risk by adjusting odds accordingly.

By participating in line shopping, bettors can take advantage of price fluctuations. By comparing prices across multiple books, one can identify the most favorable betting opportunities before placing any wagers.

Who has more World Series wins AL or NL?

The World Series has been held annually since 1903, with the pennant winners of the American and National leagues competing. The only exceptions were in 1904 and 1994. The American League currently leads with a record of 66-50.

Throughout history, there have been times when each side has been dominant. From 1947 to 1953, the AL reigned victorious every year, while the NL had its own period of dominance from 1979 to 1982. However, in recent years, the competition between the two leagues has been more evenly matched.

• Since 2001, NL has held the lead over AL with a score of 11-9.
• From 2010 to 2012, NL had the longest streak of three consecutive years.
• During this time period, no winner has won more than once.
• The Texas Rangers faced consecutive losses in 2010-11, while the Dodgers experienced the same in 2017-18.
• Seven times during this period, the World Series has gone to a full seven games.
• There have been four World Series sweeps since 2001.
• The National League has held a 6-4 lead for the last decade.
• Over the past five years, the NL has won three games out of five.
• The World Series has gone to a full seven games in three of the last five years.

As of 2021, the futures market has identified the Dodgers and Braves, representing the NL, as two of the top three favorites. The Yankees, an AL team, are currently listed as the top favorite.

Which team has won the most World Series titles?

Out of the 30 current MLB teams, the Seattle Mariners are the only one that has never made it to the World Series. The other teams have varying levels of success in the Fall Classic, with some making frequent appearances and others not as much. Here is a detailed list of World Series records for each team, including their most recent appearance and the result.

Team	Appearances	Record	Last
New York Yankees	40	27-13	2009-W
Los Angeles Dodgers	21	7-14	2020-W
San Francisco Giants	20	8-12	2014-W
St. Louis Cardinals	19	11-8	2013-L
Oakland Athletics	14	9-5	1990-L
Boston Red Sox	13	9-4	2018-W
Detroit Tigers	11	4-7	2012-L
Chicago Cubs	11	3-8	2016-W
Cincinnati Reds	9	5-4	1990-W
Atlanta Braves	9	3-6	1999-L
Pittsburgh Pirates	7	5-2	1979-W
Baltimore Orioles	7	3-4	1983-W
Philadelphia Phillies	7	2-5	2009-L
Cleveland Indians	6	2-4	2016-L
Minnesota Twins	6	3-3	1991-W
Chicago White Sox	5	3-2	2005-W
New York Mets	5	2-3	2015-L
Kansas City Royals	4	2-2	2015-W
Houston Astros	3	1-2	2019-L
Miami Marlins	2	2-0	2003-W
Toronto Blue Jays	2	2-0	1993-W
Texas Rangers	2	0-2	2011-L
Sand Diego Padres	2	0-2	1998-L
Tampa Bay Rays	2	0-2	2020-L
Los Angeles Anges	1	1-0	2002-W
Arizona Diamondbacks	1	1-0	2001-W
Washington Nationals	1	1-0	2019-W
Colorado Rockies	1	0-1	2007-L
Milwaukee Brewers	1	0-1	1982-L

5 top tips for betting on World Series

The stakes are higher for players during the World Series, but the basic betting principles remain the same. It is important to carefully evaluate matchups, analyze odds, look for opportunities, and more. In addition to these key factors, here are some additional tips to keep in mind when betting on the World Series:

1. Futures Betting: Spread Out Your Risk: While it’s common to have a top choice for a World Series futures bet, relying solely on one team may not be the best strategy. In a season marked by uncertainty, it may be more prudent to spread your bets across multiple teams.
2. Keep an eye on teams that excelled in the second half of the season as the playoffs approach. Simply looking at overall records is not enough. Teams that finished strong in the later part of the season may have an advantage over those who tapered off after a strong start. The momentum they built up is likely to carry over into the playoffs.
3. Bullpen and Roster Depth: It is important to remember that the MLB season is a marathon, not a sprint. When evaluating teams, pay close attention to those with strong rosters and reliable bullpens, as these factors can greatly impact the outcome of the season and ultimately the World Series.
4. The Importance of Pitching in the Postseason: While a strong offense is valuable, having a few elite pitchers can give a team a crucial advantage in a short playoff series. A pitcher performing at their best can be unstoppable, making teams with multiple such pitchers a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.
5. As the World Series draws near, it’s important to analyze the players from both teams in the postseason. Keep an eye on those who excel in high-pressure situations and those who struggle, as these tendencies may continue in the playoffs.

As the season goes on, the anticipation for the World Series grows stronger, and the futures market remains active for most of the year. It can be difficult to predict the winner ahead of time, but looking at past champions can provide valuable clues.

Chicago Cubs World Series history

For many years, the Cubs held the title of having the longest World Series drought. While they have finally ended that streak, their past World Series performances still leave something to be desired.

• Total Appearances: 11
• Record: 3-8
• Last Time: 2016

The Cubs achieved victory over the Cleveland Indians in a seven-game series in 2016, with Ben Zobrist earning the MVP award. This win was the team’s first title since 1908. Since then, the Cubs made it to the postseason three times in four seasons, most recently experiencing a loss to the Marlins in the 2020 wild card round.

Please confirm the World Series odds for the Cubs here.

Chicago White Sox World Series history

The White Sox also went through a long stretch without winning a title that lasted into the 21st century, but they were able to end the drought before their crosstown rivals. Like the Cubs, they haven’t had much success in the World Series.

• Total Appearances: 5
• Record: 3-2
• Last Time: 2005

The White Sox captured their first championship since 1917 by sweeping the Astros, who were in the NL at the time, in four games during the 2005 series. Jermaine Dye received the series MVP award. The team’s most recent postseason appearance was in 2020, where they were defeated in the wild card round. This marked their first playoff appearance since 2008.

Check out the latest odds for the White Sox.