Earlier this week we discussed our best bets to win the 2025 World Series. But we are back to diversify the portfolio a bit with two more long-shot plays, hoping for a bigger payday like the Texas Rangers provided when they won the World Series at +5000 preseason odds two years ago.
At FanDuel, there is a clear divide between the top eight teams, ending with the San Diego Padres at +1500 odds, and everyone else. So for the purpose of this article, we are defining our long-shot plays as any team with longer than +1500 odds, which two of the last six World Series champions (the Washington Nationals in 2019 are the other) have cashed.
Read on to find out which teams are among our Best Long-shot Sleeper Bets to win the 2025 World Series.
Best 2025 World Series Winner Longshots & Sleepers
(MLB odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Cleveland Guardians (+2500)
Despite the Cleveland Guardians playing in an AL Central division that sent three teams to the playoffs last year, the resounding sentiment is that it is one of the worst, if not the worst division in baseball. That alone will always strengthen Cleveland’s playoff chances.
Despite losing to the Yankees in five games in the ALCS, that series could have been vastly different if not for some unforeseen performances and blunders from Guardians relievers that they did not make in the regular season, namely closer Emmanuel Clase.
Cleveland still reached the ALCS despite a starting rotation that ranked 24th in innings pitched and ERA (4.40). That figured to happen after the team lost ace Shane Bieber for the season after just two starts. Bieber is a free agent, as is Alex Cobb and Matthew Boyd, but there is potential for the Guardians to really upgrade their starting pitching if they choose to be aggressive this offseason.
Kansas City Royals (+4500)
The Royals have by far the lowest 2025 World Series odds of any team that made the playoffs last season, and I am not sure why, given they arguably have the fewest question marks in their starting rotation entering next year.
Kansas City’s 1-through-4 of Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Cole Ragans, and Brady Singer are as good as any you will find in the American League. Granted, the Royals had tremendous injury luck in getting 151 combined starts from five starting pitchers. But it was not just luck that took them from 56 to 86 wins in one short season.
The team should be motivated to add more pieces in the lineup around Bobby Witt Jr., who had an MVP-caliber season last year.
Kansas City’s odds are a reflection of its low payroll, as it does not have the capital to compete with the richest teams in the sports (Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, etc.). But someone has to win the AL Central, and even if Kansas City doesn’t, it showed it can still make the playoffs and win a playoff series as currently constructed.
There are few teams I’d rather back as a sleeper to win next year’s World Series than the Royals, and 45:1 odds are a great value for a team with as talented a starting rotation as they have. With the National League providing roadblocks like the Dodgers, Braves, Phillies, Mets, and Padres, the path to a pennant and possible World Series title is much easier from the American League, especially if a team like the Yankees lose Juan Soto in free agency.
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.
