Just days after pulling off a significant offseason move by landing three-time All-Star Sonny Gray from the Cardinals, the Boston Red Sox are already climbing the odds boards. According to DraftKings, Boston now holds the ninth-best odds to win the 2026 World Series at +1700 - a clear sign that expectations are shifting in a hurry.
But it’s not just the World Series line that’s catching attention. The Red Sox’s American League pennant odds sit at +750, trailing only the Yankees (+310), Astros (+550), and Mariners (+550). That’s a strong vote of confidence for a team that, until recently, was stuck in the middle of the pack.
Let’s put this in perspective. The Red Sox returned to the postseason this year for the first time since 2021, a step in the right direction for a franchise that hasn’t tasted an AL East title or a World Series appearance since 2018. Their October run ended early, falling to the Yankees in the AL Wild Card round - a reminder that while progress has been made, there’s still work to do.
The Yankees, meanwhile, remain the oddsmakers’ favorite in the AL. Their postseason push came up short in the Division Series against the Blue Jays, but their roster and postseason pedigree continue to keep them at the top of the conversation.
Toronto, the defending AL champions, actually have better World Series odds than Boston at +1600, though their pennant odds (+800) are just behind the Sox. It’s a subtle distinction, but it underscores how tightly packed the top of the AL is right now - and how one big move, like acquiring Sonny Gray, can start to shift the balance.
As for the Astros, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, but don’t expect that to last. Houston’s core remains dangerous, and the betting markets clearly expect them to bounce back quickly.
Then there’s Seattle. The Mariners pushed the Astros to seven games in the ALCS this fall and have already made a splash this offseason by re-signing first baseman Josh Naylor. That kind of continuity, especially at a power position, could be a major factor in keeping them in the upper tier of the AL race.
For Boston, though, the message is clear: this is a team on the rise. The addition of Gray brings a proven veteran presence to the rotation - a stabilizing force that could be the difference between a fringe playoff team and a legitimate contender. And with the odds starting to shift in their favor, the Red Sox are signaling they’re not just happy to be back in the postseason mix - they’re aiming for something bigger.