Astros' Odds Look Great To Win Another World Series

HOUSTON, TX — It took a lifetime for the Houston Astros to win their first World Series. Now they're odds-on favorites to repeat what they accomplished in 2017. And if the oddsmakers are right, they'll play the Dodgers in the Series once again.

Heading into next week's Opening Day at the Texas Rangers, the Astros are an 11-to-2 favorite to win the 2018 World Series, according to vegasinsider.com. So are the Los Angeles Dodgers. The New York Yankees are a 6/1 favorite, the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians are both 7/1 favorites.

Furthermore, the Astros are 1/4 favorites to win the American League West and 13/5 favorites to win the American League pennant over the Yankees.

The Astros certainly have all the components to repeat as champions. American League MVP Jose Altuve just signed a lengthy contract extension, World Series MVP George Springer is back in mid-season form and the rotation led by Justin Verlander looks as good as any in the majors. The Astros are 17-7 in Spring Training, better than all teams in the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues.

The Texas Rangers are 200/1 favorites to win the World Series, which means a $100 bet now would win you a cool $20,000. But they're not the lowest, which would go to the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins, all at 500/1 odds.

Image: Brian McCann of the Houston Astros celebrates after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in game seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)