2022 World Series Odds: Dodgers, Blue Jays, Astros Betting Favorites for MLB Title

The big-spending Los Angeles Dodgers are the clear betting favorite to win the 2022 World Series ahead of Opening Day on Thursday.

L.A. owns a $277.1 million payroll, which is $24 million than any other MLB team and more than double the league average ($134.5 million). That alone ensures it's a championship-or-bust season for Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw and Co.

Here's a look at some of the other top contenders based on the odds at Caesars Sportsbook (via ESPN's David Purdum):

• Los Angeles Dodgers (5-1)
• Toronto Blue Jays (9-1)
• Houston Astros (10-1)
• Chicago White Sox (11-1)
• Atlanta Braves (11-1)
• New York Yankees (12-1)
• New York Mets (14-1)
• Tampa Bay Rays (15-1)
• Milwaukee Brewers (15-1)
• San Diego Padres (16-1)

All the remaining clubs have odds of 20-1 or higher to open the campaign.

The Dodgers already featured perhaps the most complete roster in baseball when the lockout ended in March, but that didn't stop them from adding more star power.

They signed Freeman, who helped lead the Braves to last season's World Series title, to a six-year, $162 million contract in free agency and then completed a blockbuster trade to acquire eight-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel from the White Sox.

Given the Dodgers won 106 games last season and added one of MLB's best players over the past decade to their lineup, it'd be impossible to consider anyone else the favorite.

That said, it's a bit surprising to see the reigning champion Braves with odds more than double L.A.'s.

Atlanta won the title without the electric Ronald Acuna Jr., who suffered a torn ACL in July and is expected to return in early May, and was able to acquire Matt Olson to replace Freeman at first base.

The Braves also get Marcell Ozuna back from suspension and re-signed Eddie Rosario, who delivered several clutch hits during last year's playoff run.

Add in a possible midseason return from Mike Soroka (Achilles) to bolster the starting rotation, and a title defense isn't out of the question.

While L.A. and Atlanta seem like the class of the National League, the American League carries a far more wide-open feel into the new season.

The extra playoff spot—the are now six berths in each league for the three division winners and three wild cards—should benefit the teams in the AL East, which figures to see a tight four-club race between the Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays and Boston Red Sox.

Chicago and Houston are also threats for the pennant, but one sleeper to watch is the Minnesota Twins, who own 50-1 World Series odds.

The Twins started slow last season, but they played above .500 (29-27) from the beginning of August and then made several key additions during the offseason.

That group of arrivals was headlined by Carlos Correa and also included Gary Sanchez, Gio Urshela, Sonny Gray and Dylan Bundy. They also just added starter Chris Paddack in a trade with the San Diego Padres on Thursday.

If the dynamic but oft-injured Byron Buxton can put together a healthy season atop Minnesota's order, the team could emerge as a contender.

The MLB season is scheduled to get underway Thursday at 2:20 p.m. ET when the Brewers visit the Chicago Cubs.