World Series betting: MVP picks, series props for Dodgers-Blue Jays

The World Series begins Friday. The Blue Jays will attempt to win the franchise's first championship since 1993, while the Dodgers will try to successfully defend the title for the first time since the 2000 Yankees.

We've got you covered with six World Series bets to make before the first pitch is thrown Friday night at the Rogers Centre.

⚾️ Bet: Series Handicap - Blue Jays +1.5 (-105)

I'll back the Blue Jays to give the Dodgers a much better fight than the Brewers did. By backing the Jays +1.5, you win if they win and also cash in if there's a Game 7.

Toronto's offense is far more powerful than Milwaukee's, which only mustered a run per game against the Dodgers. The Jays should be able to win a couple of games on the backs of their bats, and they could easily steal one or two with quality outings from Kevin Gausman or Trey Yesavage.

⚾️ Bet: Total games - Over 5.5 (-155)

If I like the Blue Jays' chances to hang around in this series and potentially pull off the upset, I certainly like their chances of hosting a third home game. Each team should be able to win at least two games, and the fact that the Jays open the series at home helps the postseason finale's chances of extending to at least a sixth game.

⚾️ Bet: Most home runs - Teoscar Hernández (+1000)

Hernández has hit four postseason home runs in 10 games, keeping pace with teammate Shohei Ohtani (five) and playoff leader Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (six). Hernández also benefits from familiarity with both ballparks as a former Blue Jay. One of Ohtani or Guerrero is most likely to lead, but Hernández is the best value.

⚾️ Bet: Most hits - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+600)

Guerrero is seeing the ball extremely well, batting .442 in the postseason with 19 hits. He seems built for big playoff moments and won't be intimidated by the firepower the Dodgers can send to the mound. Guerrero is the favorite at +600, but the odds are long enough to justify backing the hottest hitter in the series.

⚾️ Bet: MVP - Shohei Ohtani (+165)

The odds may be short for Ohtani to win MVP, but compared to the Dodgers' odds of winning the World Series (-210), they can actually be perceived as value.

Ohtani's rare ability to hit and pitch gives him a massive advantage in this market. Pitchers rarely win, but the fact that he will start one - and maybe two - games for the Dodgers while hitting leadoff is simply unfair. He doesn't even need to put up jaw-dropping numbers in the World Series to win; voters may want to reward baseball's unicorn for the entire playoff run, including his instantly legendary 10-strikeout, three-homer game.

⚾️ Bet: MVP - Kevin Gausman (+5000)

As mentioned, pitchers rarely win the MVP. Only Stephen Strasburg, Madison Bumgarner, and Cole Hamels have done it since 2005. However, Gausman's +5000 odds are simply too long.

He's likely going to get two starts, which is imperative for a pitcher to win. Blake Snell is the Game 1 starter for the Dodgers, and his odds are +1800, for comparison. Gausman is the Jays' ace, and if he shuts down the Dodgers twice en route to a Blue Jays World Series victory, it will be hard not to vote for him.

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