World Series 2018 Odds: Astros, Dodgers, Brewers Favored in Latest Lines

The Houston Astros are the favorites to win the World Series.

According to OddsShark.com, the defending champions (+260) hold the top odds among the remaining postseason contenders, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers (+350), Milwaukee Brewers (+350), Boston Red Sox (+450), New York Yankees (+500), Atlanta Braves (+1500) and Cleveland (+2000).

Houston holds a 2-0 lead over Cleveland in one American League Division Series, while Boston and New York are tied 1-1 in the other. In the National League, the Brewers swept the Colorado Rockies and are awaiting either the Dodgers or Braves.

L.A. holds a 2-1 advantage in that matchup.

Only Boston (108-54) finished with a better regular-season record than Houston (103-59), and the Astros haven't missed a beat in the postseason, outscoring Cleveland 10-3.

It's hard to imagine many baseball fans being upset with a Dodgers-Astros rematch in the World Series after last year's classic, which Houston won in seven games. That included one of the greatest games in World Series history, a 13-12 Game 5 win by the Astros in which the Dodgers erased a three-run deficit in the top of the ninth inning only to lose in the bottom of the 10th on Alex Bregman's walk-off single.

Houston doesn't boast many weaknesses. It has a strong pitching staff, led by Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Dallas Keuchel. Bregman, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer lead a dangerous offense. Ryan Pressly and Roberto Osuna hold down the bullpen.

Even in a year wherein the Red Sox were historically great, the Astros are the frontrunners in October. Should they get past Cleveland, a matchup against Boston or New York would provide fireworks.