Dodgers Now Have 3-1 Odds to Win 2019 World Series Despite Recent Offensive Struggles

• The Los Angeles Dodgers have struggled at the plate during their current 5-6 run, averaging just 3.18 runs per game
• The Dodgers have have managed to maintain their big lead atop the NL West during their current slide
• The Houston Astros join the Dodgers atop the World Series odds

The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently enduring their roughest stretch of play since losing six straight in mid-April. Going into Tuesday night’s clash with the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers have fallen to defeat in six of 11 outings, putting the brakes on an impressive 11-1 run.

But despite their recent slide, the Dodgers continue to gain momentum on the World Series odds, where they now join the Houston Astros as improved +275 co-favorites.

2019 World Series Odds

Odds taken 06/18/19.

Dodgers Offensive Woes Complicated by Injuries

The Dodgers have struggled at the plate during their current swoon, averaging just 3.18 runs per game over their past 11, while scoring more than three runs on just three occasions. NL batting leader Cody Bellinger has scored in just three of the club’s past 11 outings, and outfielder Alex Verdugo has cooled off following a torrid start, hitting just .229 in the month of June.

LA’s hurlers have given up just 2.21 runs per game over their past 14 outings.

Further complicating matters are recent injuries that have landed shortstop Corey Seager, outfielder AJ Pollock, and workhorse reliever Scott Alexander on the IL. However, despite their recent struggles on the scoreboard, the club has continued to get great pitching, with LA’s hurlers giving up just 2.21 runs per game over their past 14 outings.

Corey Seager was placed on the IL with a left hamstring injury.

Is he the Dodgers' most irreplaceable player? pic.twitter.com/ySsYk2civ9

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 14, 2019

The Los Angeles staff continues to lead the NL with a team ERA of 3.23, and have recorded an MLB-best nine shutouts this season while tallying another MLB best by giving up just 165 bases on balls through 73 contests.

Superb pitching has played a key role in the club’s strong performance on home turf, where they lead all Major League teams with a 28-9 record. The Dodgers have also lost minimal ground in the NL West standings during their recent swoon. The second-place Colorado Rockies have failed to take advantage of the Dodgers’ woes, going 6-7 over their past 13 to remain 10 games back of LA entering Tuesday night’s action.

Dodgers Clear Favorites to Repeat as Champs in Weak NL West

With no serious threat to the team’s dominance coming out of the NL West, the Dodgers have emerged as massive -20000 chalk to claim a seventh straight divisional crown. And with a battle-tested lineup that has won at least one series in four of their past six postseason appearances, Los Angeles also dominates on the odds to win the NL Pennant and return to the World Series for a third straight year as a short +145 bet.

https://twitter.com/JoeChacon/status/1140853092453195776

And with a clear path to October baseball, the question is whether the Dodgers can overcome their recent failures in the World Series, where they were crushed in five games by the Boston Red Sox a year ago, after falling to the Houston Astros in 2017.

Astros Following Path Similar to Dodgers

The Astros have followed a very similar path to the Dodgers this season. Sporting an identical 48-25 record, the Astros have amassed an 8.5-game lead atop the AL West division.

#Astros 2B Jose Altuve: 1-4, BB, 2 K's in what will likely be his final @RRExpress rehab start. The 6-time All-Star went 2-12 with 5 K's in his 3 games at Dell Diamond but sounds optimistic about his progress. #astrosinjuries #RRExpress @fox7austin 📹: @ClifOnFOX7 pic.twitter.com/Bhf8A2fMz0

— Dennis de la Pena (@dennisonfox7) June 18, 2019

The club has maintained their perch despite enduring a rash of recent injuries to key personnel, including three-time AL batting champion Jose Altuve, slugger George Springer, pitcher Collin McHugh, and shortstop Carlos Correa. However, it was a series of injuries that contributed to the Astros’ early demise last fall after winning 103 games last season, raising concerns that the club may suffer a similar fate this season.

Should Astros Falter, Rays Poised to Pounce

That could open the door for one AL squad receiving little respect on the World Series odds thus far. The Tampa Bay Rays have quietly emerged as a legitimate contender in the AL East during a 43-29 start and continue to offer exceptional value as a +1400 wager.

.@Raysbaseball has had Road Rage this season carrying the best road record in baseball🔥🔥#RaysUp #MLB pic.twitter.com/KjvInt8HYJ

— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) June 18, 2019

The Rays have built their success on a sparkling 23-11 road record, while Tampa Bay hurlers lead the majors with a 3.02 team ERA and join the Dodgers in team batting, ranked seventh with a .260 batting average.

While the Rays have struggled in head-to-head clashes with the division-leading New York Yankees, they have regularly dominated the Astros over the past two years, winning 11 of 15 meetings, and could represent a real threat to Houston’s AL dominance come October.

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays (+1400)