World Series winner: Atlanta Braves +130

After seeing off the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the NCLS, the Braves have been priced up as +130 underdogs to win their first World Series title since 1995.

That is understandable considering Houston, entering as a -155 favourite, has a more explosive offense, more postseason experience, and home-field advantage.

But there are plenty of reasons to back the Braves here.

Firstly, Atlanta has the advantage on the mound. Starters Charlie Morton, Max Fried, and Ian Anderson have all been solid this postseason, while the bullpen impressed against the Dodgers.

Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia both turned out big performances for Houston in the ALCS, but those came off the back of four shaky starts in which they gave up a combined 20 hits and 17 runs.

The Braves also have the hottest hitter in baseball right now in Eddie Rosario, who was named NLCS MVP after slashing .560/.607/1.040 against LA, including a postseason record-tying 14 hits.

There are also more intangible factors at play here.

This Braves team did not climb above .500 until August 6, eventually topping the NL East by 6.5 games.

They dismantled the dangerous Brewers in four in the NLDS, and then comfortably outplayed the Dodgers, who were wire-to-wire betting favourites to win another World Series.

It’s impossible to write them off at the moment, and this is a very tempting price.

Series total games: Over 5.5 -175

Whichever way the series goes, it feels like this one will go deep.

Atlanta has the slight pitching advantage, while Houston has the slight hitting advantage.

The Astros are one of the best home teams in baseball, while the Braves are one of the best on the road.

While we have no regular season meetings to go upon, we do know that the World Series is usually tight.

Four of the last five Fall Classics have gone at least six games, and this one looks to be no different.

World Series MVP: Freddie Freeman +850

If Atlanta is to win its first World Series for 26 years, their franchise player will likely play a big part.

Last year’s NL MVP looked to be heating up against the Dodgers, going .462/.632/1.000 in the final four games of that series.

Freeman has just six RBIs during the postseason as a whole, but if he continues finding contact those numbers are sure to pick up in the coming games.

Should that happen, and Atlanta wins it all, Freeman is a good bet to have another individual award to his name.