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Oddsmakers certainly didn’t see the 2024 Boston Red Sox coming.
The Red Sox are in the postseason picture at 53-42 at the All-Star break. If the season ended today, Boston would claim the final playoff spot and travel to face the Mariners in a best-of-three AL Wild Card Series.
With 67 games remaining in the season, it’s important to note that the Red Sox have emerged as one of the most surprising teams this season. They have defied the odds after starting the year as -115 favorites to finish fifth in the American League East division at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Betting markets have certainly adjusted on Boston during this break. The Red Sox’s odds have improved across the board.
BetMGM’s updated win total for the Red Sox is 86.5, which marks a nine-game improvement from their preseason over/under of 77.5. Bettors can get a +100 value on Boston to record 87-plus victories.
The latest playoff odds have the Red Sox at -105 to make the playoffs and -115 to miss. That means they have a 51.22% implied probability of reaching the postseason, just below FanGraphs’ projection of 52.6%.
For context, Boston opened with +260 odds of notching a playoff berth and a -350 price of missing the postseason.
The Red Sox remain a long shot to win the division at +2000, as they sit in third place behind the Baltimore Orioles and the Yankees.
Boston’s odds to win the AL pennant have improved from +3000 to +2000 since the spring. The Red Sox also went from +6600 to +4000 to win the World Series.
The Red Sox will begin the post-break schedule with a weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are the World Series favorites at +333.
First pitch for Friday’s series opener is 10:10 p.m. ET.
Visit the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the season for updated MLB futures, including World Series odds. You can also view updated sportsbook promos, including a First Bet Offer for eligible new customers.