MLB betting odds: 3 teams with plummeting World Series chances

Mar 28, 2019; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds mascot Mr. Redlegs reacts during the 100th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade prior to the game of the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2019; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds mascot Mr. Redlegs reacts during the 100th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade prior to the game of the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
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May 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; View of the Honus Wagner statue and the marquee at the main entrance of PNC Park before the Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the Cincinnati Reds. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; View of the Honus Wagner statue and the marquee at the main entrance of PNC Park before the Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the Cincinnati Reds. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates drop even further in World Series betting odds

In early November, the Pittsburgh Pirates were next-to-last in terms of MLB betting odds to reach the World Series, coming in at +20000. That was, at the time, at least ahead of the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks, two teams locked in then at +50000.

Well, the offseason hasn’t been kind to the Pirates, and they have officially dropped to the longest of longshots in the new WynnBet odds.

The Pirates now join Baltimore at the bottom of the list, currently sitting at +50000.

Why? There are still plenty of questions of exactly what Pittsburgh’s rotation and closer will look like heading into the Opening Day at the St. Louis Cardinals on April 7. Both Miguel Yajure and Max Kranick have been slowed from competing for a rotation spot because of injury.

There are still plenty of trade rumors swirling around Bryan Reynolds, who earned a spot as Pittsburgh’s All-Star representative last season. The Miami Marlins have been linked to Reynolds as a potential trade partner, and the Pirates and Marlins have already done a deal this offseason when Miami received Gold Glove catcher Jacob Stallings in a trade.

Pittsburgh hasn’t had a winning record since the 2018 campaign and hasn’t made the postseason since losing to the Chicago Cubs following the 2015 season. Oddsmakers (and the vast majority of predictions) don’t see either of those changing in 2022.