The Houston Astros, the defending World Series champions, are the odds-on favorites to repeat in 2023.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Pitchers and catchers across Major League Baseball reported to spring training this week as the start of the 2023 season is about six weeks away.

And as hope always springs eternal for the boys of summer, the reality is in baseball there are – and will continue to be – the have and have-nots.

That’s never been more evident when looking at sportsbooks’ odds boards for this season’s World Series favorites.

Once again, the defending champion Houston Astros are at the top, sitting at +600 odds to repeat, according to DraftKings.

The New York Yankees aren’t far behind at +700, while the New York Mets, who now have former Houston ace Justin Verlander on their pitching staff, are the top National League team on the board at +750.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (+800) and Atlanta Braves (+950) round out the top five, according to DraftKings.

And while the Astros are far-and-away the top pick to win the AL West at -180, as are the Yankees in the AL East at +105, the AL Central is shaping up to be the most competitive American League division with the Cleveland Guardians (+140 to win the division) just ahead of the Chicago White Sox (+185).

In the National League, the Braves and Mets will battle it out for the East crown, siting at +130 and +140 odds, respectively. The Dodgers (-125) are favored to win the NL West, and the St. Louis Cardinals (-120) are frontrunners in the Central.

As Opening Day on March 30 approaches, FrontPageBets takes a look at the odds for each team to win the 2023 World Series.

(All odds are courtesy of DraftKings and are subject to change)

Houston Astros +600

New York Yankees +700

New York Mets +750

Los Angeles Dodgers +800

Atlanta Braves +950

San Diego Padres +1100

Toronto Blue Jays +1300

Seattle Mariners +1700

Philadelphia Phillies +1700

St. Louis Cardinals +1900