The MLB trade deadline closes Aug 3. The Dodgers, at 2.65, chase a three-peat; the Brewers surge to 11.00; the Red Sox's 15-game streak before a loss to the Orioles rewrites the board. Full World Series odds, what every trade means for futures, and our best bets — at Housebets with crypto.
The 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is at a crucial stage, with the MLB trade deadline just a week away. The MLB trade deadline gives teams a chance to address their needs as they make one last push for the playoffs and, most importantly, the World Series.
In this piece, we will give you all the details you need to know about this year’s trade deadline and the current favourite to win the World Series, courtesy of odds from Housebets.
Remember, Housebets is the home of baseball betting, including the MLB regular and post-season matches. To place your bets on the MLB at Housebets, log in to your account (or create one if you don't already have one), deposit your preferred cryptocurrency, then go to the sports section, click on the baseball icon and select your picks.
Having said that, here is everything you need to know about the 2026 MLB trade deadline and World Series odds.
The MLB trade deadline is a time in the season when teams are allowed to trade players from one club to another. It is the last time in the season when a player from a team’s 40-man roster is allowed to join another team.
Although players not on the 40-man roster can still be traded after the deadline, any player must be in an organisation by the end of Aug. 31 (whether on the 40-man roster or not) to be eligible to appear in the postseason for that club.
When is the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline?
Before, the MLB trade deadline used to be July 31, but in recent years, the Commissioner's Office has set the Deadline for any date between July 28 and August 3, with this year’s deadline falling on August 3.
Unlike the off-season, teams that make trades during the deadline are looking for players who can help their immediate cause. With the playoffs not far away, teams that are in the picture will try to address their immediate needs by making a trade for a player who fits the profile they are looking for.
However, teams not in the playoff picture use the trade deadline to accelerate future success by exchanging veteran players for highly rated prospects, additional draft capital, or younger talent with years of team control remaining.
What to look out for at the Deadline
The American League is arguably the most competitive, with multiple teams in contention to reach the playoffs.
New York Yankees
After losing the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, the New York Yankees will be fired up to get to that stage once again. They currently look good as they are only behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East with a 59-45 record.
While they are second in their division, the Yankees are still favourites to win the AL East, priced at 1.83, as per odds from Housebets.
However, if the Yankees are to go all the way, they will need their big names Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón to be available, as all have been unable to stay fit through the course of the season.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays have missed the last two playoffs but are on course to end that streak this time as they are top of the American League East with a 61-43 record. The reason for their rise this year has been down to their big three: Junior Caminero (28 HRs), DH Yandy Diaz (.322 batting average) and 1B Jonathan Aranda (64 RBIs).
No team has more wins than the Rays in the American League, courtesy of the performances of their big three. However, considering the playoffs are different, it will be interesting to see how they react when the pressure intensifies. Unless something catastrophic happens, the Rays should easily make the playoffs, but they are still second favourite to win their division.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners sit third behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West with a 51-54 record. However, they are still good value to reach the playoffs, as they only sit two wins behind the Rangers and have a starting rotation that remains the foundation of the team.
They are currently priced at 2.20 to win their division, just behind the Rangers. However, while the Mariners remain on course to reach the postseason, they need to start hitting, starting with their supposed big three of Cal Raleigh (OPS down 367 points from 2025), Julio Rodriguez (down 51 points) and Josh Naylor (down 145 points).
Boston Red Sox
A few weeks ago, the deadline did not look promising for the Red Sox, as it appeared they would be sellers. However, the outlook is now different as the Red Sox went on a 15-game winning run to play themselves back into contention.
That run has got their chief baseball officer Craig Breslow dreaming of a playoff run. While that is still far from certain, as they are priced at 1.36 to reach the postseason. However, don’t write the Sox off, especially if they go on a similar kind of run after the deadline.
Houston Astros
The Astros are currently second in the American League West behind the Rangers, with a 52-54 record. They do have Yordan Alvarez to thank, as the AL MVP is having his best season yet with a ridiculous 1.059 OPS.
However, despite Alvarez’s performance this season, the Astros' pitching seriously needs to improve if they want to make a run this year.
Unlike the American League, the National League has a lot of teams that are capable of winning it all, including the two-time defending champions.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Forget the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best team in MLB and remain the favourites. In fact, if any team’s goal is to win the World Series, they will have to beat the Dodgers for it.
Led by their superstar Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers are the two-time defending champions and remain on course to do a three-peat, as they have more wins than any other team in the league with a 67-38 record.
However, while Ohtani keeps doing what is expected, the Dodgers have also benefitted from the performances of Andy Pages and Justin Wrobleski, alongside Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who have also put together All-Star seasons.
Milwaukee Brewers
While the Dodgers remain the favourite to win the World Series again, one of the teams capable of stopping them or at least challenging them is the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers lead the National League Central and currently have the second most wins in the league with a 65-37 record.
They have once again relied on an athletic, high-contact offence to keep the scoreboard turning despite a lack of big-time power to go with their typically stifling run prevention.
Having reached the National League Championship Series last year, the Brewers remain on course to reach that stage again, at least.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves’ seven-year playoff run ended last year, but they are in contention to be back this year, as they sit at the top of the National League East with a 62-43 record. Entering June, the Braves had won more games (40) than any other team in the league.
However, injuries to Ronald Acuña Jr (hamstring) and rotation ace Spencer Strider (elbow) have tested their depth since then. Nonetheless, they remain in contention to make the playoffs, thanks to the talents of C Drake Baldwin, 1B Matt Olson, 2B Ozzie Albies, LHP Chris Sale and RHP Raisel Iglesias, who all earned All-Star spots this year.
Philadelphia Phillies
LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers is not the only exciting thing for the residents of the City of Brotherly Love, as this is also an exciting time for fans of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phillies are flying high in the MLB this season, sitting second behind the Braves in the National League East with a 57-49 record.
The trio of Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo have all been great for most parts of the season, which is why the Phillies are primed for a playoff run.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are also on course to make the playoffs, although going all the way may be a step too far. The Cubs are currently second in the National League Central with a 59-46 record and are priced at 1.14 to make the playoffs, according to odds from Housebets.
One thing that works in the Cubs' favour going into the final stretch of the season is that they have their big names back from the injury table.
Matthew Boyd is already back from injury, hitting the ground running, while Jameson Taillon (hamstring) is next. Then there is Edward Cabrera (abductor), Daniel Palencia (flexor), Hoby Milner (appendicitis), Ben Brown (neck) and a few others who could help down the stretch.
While a whole lot of teams have playoff aspirations, only a few can realistically win the World Series. The two-time defending champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, remain the favourite to win it all again.
The Dodgers are priced at 2.60 to complete a three-peat, and that is unlikely to change regardless of what happens at the deadline.
Although they are currently second in their division, the Yankees are seen as the biggest opposition to the Dodgers, with the New York Side priced at 6.50 to win it all ahead of the Brewers, who are priced at 10.00 to go all the way.
Outright: Here, you are predicting what will happen in the future. For example, you can bet on the Dodgers to win the World Series title again.
Parlay: Also known as an accumulator or multi-bet. Here, you are selecting more than one outcome on a single slip. However, all outcomes have to play out the same way you predicted.
For example, you can bet on the Chicago Cubs to beat the St Louis Cardinals, the Houston Astros to beat the Los Angeles Angels, and the Boston Red Sox to beat the Athletics.
Handicap: A handicap bet in baseball is the same as in other sports. Here, you are betting on a team to win, but they must also overcome a points handicap. On the flip side, you might also bet on a team that is most likely to lose, but back them not to lose by a particular point margin.
Research: Just like in any other sport, the first thing to do before placing a bet on a baseball game is to do your research. Check what the stats and experts are saying about the game.
Home Advantage: Pay attention to the team at home because home advantage counts a lot in baseball.
Head-to-Head: It is also important to check the head-to-head records of the teams playing before placing a bet on a baseball game.
To bet on MLB teams at Housebets, all you need to do is register or create an account at Housebets.
Once you have done that, log in to your account and fund your account by depositing your preferred cryptocurrency into the account.
Once you have done that, go to the sports section, click on the baseball logo, and select MLB to make your picks.
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