The Los Angeles Dodgers strengthened an already loaded roster by acquiring ace Tarik Skubal before the trade deadline. The Dodgers were the betting favorite to win the 2026 World Series before the Skubal trade, but their odds improved from +190 to +150, according to BetMGM.
This year’s deadline carried added urgency with a potential labor stoppage looming. With owners and players divided on key issues, including a salary cap, insiders fear a lengthy lockout could jeopardize the 2027 season.
“There are owners that believe there won’t be a single game next season,” said ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
“Our fans in a number of our markets are telling us there’s a lack of competitive balance in the game,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred before the All-Star Game. “Everything we propose is directed at addressing that fan concern.”
Dodgers: Three-Peat Looking Good (+150)
Skubal, a two-time Cy Young winner with the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and 2025, is 38-15 over the last three seasons. Despite missing six weeks in 2026 following minor surgery, Skubal posted a 7-5 record with a 2.79 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.
Skubal joins baseball’s deepest starting rotation alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-7), Justin Wrobleski (11-2), and Shohei Ohtani (8-2). Veterans Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are expected back from lengthy IL stints. The Dodgers also added lefty starter Kris Bubic, who was an All-Star with the Kansas City Royals last season.
Insiders share a common theory that the outrage surrounding the Skubal trade will help the owners after the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires in December. Fans have become so irate with the Dodgers that they’ll side with owners pushing for a salary cap.
Yankees: Luis Garcia, Jr. Adds Power, But Questions Remain (+600)
The Yankees acquired Luis Garcia, Jr. from the Nationals. The left-handed first baseman, having his best career season, leads the majors in slugging and has a slashline of .283/.313/.560 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI.
The Yankees have the second-best record in the American League despite significant injuries to key starters like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Carlos Rodon. Cody Bellinger also recently headed to the IL.
The Yankees’ offense struggled after Judge went down at the end of May. While a strong rotation and bullpen kept the team afloat, their hitting slump this summer has been tough to watch.
Fans were livid that general manager Brian Cashman was outmaneuvered by the Dodgers once again. He failed to secure Skubal, even as a short-term rental. Additionally, Cashman did not address serious problems to fix the bottom of the lineup. The Yankees also needed right-handed hitting infielders, a real catcher, and a couple of relief pitchers to bolster their overworked bullpen.
The Yankees are +600 odds to win the World Series, which is second overall at BetMGM. They’re the highest American League team on the futures board, but the AL is wide open. Every AL division leader is vulnerable. Nine squads are fighting for three AL Wild Card spots, and only four games separate the bubble teams.
Brewers: Whiffed on Skubal, Added 3 Pitchers (+900)
The Brewers are one of several contenders that missed out on the Skubal sweepstakes. The Brewers pivoted and acquired three pitchers at the deadline, including two from a division rival. The St. Louis Cardinals sent starting pitcher Dustin May and reliever JoJo Romero to Milwaukee.
May adds valuable postseason experience after appearing in nine playoff games with the Dodgers, despite battling injuries between 2021-24. Romero is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, posting a 2.07 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 8 saves during the 2025 season with the Cardinals.
The Brewers also added righty reliever Antonio Senzatela from the Colorado Rockies, who is enjoying the best season (9-2, 3.61 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) of his 10-year career.
Priced at +900 to win the World Series, the Brewers are third on the futures board.
Braves: Fresh Arms with Tyler Mahle, Brent Suter (+1000)
The Braves acquired two pitchers, Tyler Mahle and Brent Suter, to help their depleted starting rotation. Mahle struggled with the Giants this season, but the right-hander posted solid numbers with the Texas Rangers last season, going 6-4 in 16 starts with a 2.18 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Suter is a crafty veteran lefty who will most likely come out of the bullpen, but he can also make the spot start if needed.
The Braves have the third most wins in the NL and a sizable lead over the Phillies in the NL East. The Braves are fourth on BetMGM futures board at +1000.
Red Sox: Hottest Team Lands All-Star Catcher Adley Rutschman (+1400)
Since the start of July, the Red Sox are the hottest team in baseball. They’re now within striking distance of an AL East title thanks to a 15-game winning streak.
Boston paid a premium for switch-hitting Adley Rutschman, but they blocked the Yankees, who were also shopping for a catcher. Rutschman made three All-Star appearances in the last four seasons. He hit 69 home runs with 277 RBI in 572 career games with the Orioles.
The Red Sox added left-handed relief pitcher Erik Miller. In 38 appearances with the Giants, Miller went 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. The addition of Miller will help neutralize the Yankees’ lefty-heavy lineup if the Red Sox and their AL East rival square off in the Wild Card.
The Red Sox saw the biggest change in World Series odds since early July, jumping from +4000 before their winning streak to +1500 after the trade deadline.
Cubs: Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes for Playoff Push (+1700)
The Chicago Cubs addressed their banged-up starting rotation by adding veteran righties Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes. Both bring postseason experience.
In 23 starts with the disappointing Toronto Blue Jays, Gausman struggled (5-10, 4.38 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) but was unlucky this season. In his previous five seasons, he reached double-digit victories. The Cubs need Gausman to soak up innings down the stretch, but they’ll also rely on his proven playoff experience. In the postseason, Gausman has a 3.83 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 56 strikeouts in 56 innings.
Clay Holmes appeared in 13 playoff games as a reliever for the Yankees, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He has been out since May, recovering from a broken leg. Before his freak injury, Holmes started nine games for the Mets, going 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. The Mets had a fire sale at the trade deadline and sent Holmes to the Cubs.
The Cubs also added righty relief pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn. In 45 appearances with the L.A. Angels, Zeferjahn went 4-3 with a 3.66 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.
Phillies: Batting Champ Luis Arraez Heads to Philly (+1800)
The Giants sent three-time batting champ Luis Arraez to the Phillies. Arraez led the NL in hitting at .324, trailing only Houston’s Yordan Alvarez (.330) for the MLB lead. Manager Don Mattingly will shuffle his infielders to accommodate Arraez, and Bryce Harper will move to the outfield.
The Phillies strengthened their bullpen with reliever Brooks Raley (5-5, 1.96 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) from the Mets. It’s a rare trade with a divisional rival, but the Mets have been cleaning house after a disastrous season.
If the season ended today, the Phillies would lock up an NL Wild Card berth. They’re +1800 to win the World Series.
Padres: Snag Former #1 Pick Casey Mize (+8000)
With the trade deadline looming, the Padres were only one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL Wild Card race. Despite speculation that closer Mason Miller and other relievers were on the block, the Padres were not sellers at the deadline. The opposite occurred, and they added two starting pitchers. The Padres are now +180 to make the playoffs.
The Tigers traded Casey Mize, the former #1 pick, to the Padres. In 16 starts, Mize posted a 4-6 record with a 2.70 RA and 0.99 WHIP. The Giants traded lefty Robbie Ray and sent him south to San Diego. Ray started 21 games for the Giants, posting a 10-6 record, 3.08 ERA, and 1.29 WHIP.
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