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The Kansas City Royals posted an awful 56-106 record in 2023, tying a franchise mark for losses in a single season. It was the 3rd 100-loss campaign in the past 5 full seasons since 2018, not including the COVID-shortened season of 2020.
The cupboard isn’t totally bare, as SS Bobby Witt Jr. has superstar potential, but, unfortunately, he is just 1 guy. The rest of the roster is rather patchwork, with a few decent, young players with a little upside. To make matters worse, the Royals have been consistently rated as 1 of the worst farm systems in the majors heading into 2024.
Unlike Oakland, which is a dumpster fire, the Royals are trying somewhat. They’re bringing in veteran arms like Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, trying to at least be somewhat competitive. But this is a mish-mash roster which doesn’t look terribly promising heading into the new campaign. At least they have the Chiefs in Kansas City. Let’s analyze the Kansas City Royals’ World Series odds, along with their projected win total, playoff, division and AL odds as we make our expert MLB picks and predictions.
Kansas City Royals World Series odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, March 17 at 5:48 p.m. ET.
Odds: +15000 (bet $100 to win $15,000)
The Royals have the 7th-longest odds to win the World Series in the majors, well behind the Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers (+9000), and just ahead of the Los Angeles Angels (+18000).
The Los Angeles Dodgers (+320) are the favorites, followed by the Atlanta Braves (+450), Houston Astros (+700) and New York Yankees (+900).
At +15000, Kansas City has an implied probability of winning the World Series of 0.66% or 150/1 fractional odds.
The Colorado Rockies and Oakland Athletics are tied for the longest odds at +50000. The Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals are next at +25000, with the Pittsburgh Pirates at +20000.
It seems like a lifetime ago that Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas were making back-to-back World Series appearances, helping Kansas City to a championship in 2015. Where have you gone, Ned Yost?
The team has been stuck in a rebuild since 2018, and it is still a work in progress, with no relief in site.
PASS. Backing the Royals (+15000) to win the World Series at 150-to-1 is not a recommended betting strategy.
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Kansas City Royals playoff odds
Will they make the playoffs: Yes +450 | No -720
The Royals aren’t in the worst shape of any team in the majors, and being in the American League Central makes for a slightly easier path to the postseason than in most other divisions.
However, this is a team which is still projected to lose 85-90 games, so the playoffs aren’t a realistic goal in 2024. The team has some nice parts, but they have a lot of holes, too, and unlike some markets, they can’t just spend their problems away in Kansas City. It takes time to develop players, and the farm system just isn’t much help. The top prospects are on a fast track to the majors already.
Spending more than 7 times your potential return, and locking that up long-term, is not a recommended betting strategy. On the flip side, it would be like winning the World Series if this team could sniff .500. But they’ll be nowhere near challenging for a playoff spot.
AVOID.
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Kansas City Royals win total
Over/Under: 73.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
The Royals have won more than 65 games just once in the past 5 full seasons dating back to 2017, again, not including the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.
Kansas City shouldn’t lose triple digits again. The 2023 season was a disaster, tying an all-time low with 106 losses. The organization will be patient with manager Matt Quartaro, who begins his 2nd season with 1 of the youngest rosters in the majors.
The Royals have cobbled together a major-league caliber rotation with Lugo and Wacha joining the likes of Brady Singer, Cole Ragans and Jordan Lyles. They’ll give up plenty of runs, but they should be much better than 2023. This could be a 75-win team, and the lean is to the OVER 73.5 (-110), but don’t get carry away.
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To win AL Central Division
- Minnesota Twins -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Cleveland Guardians +330 (bet $100 to win $330)
- Detroit Tigers +360 (bet $100 to win $360)
- Kansas City Royals +950 (bet $100 to win $950)
- Chicago White Sox +5000 (bet $100 to win $5,000)
Kansas City has an implied probability of winning the AL Central of 9.52% or 19/2 fractional odds.
The Twins are the favorites to win the division, with the Guardians and Tigers jockeying for 2nd place, ready to pounce if Minnesota should falter. The Royals have some rather long odds, and should avoid the basement thanks to the woeful White Sox also being in the division. However, a division title for Kansas City is still quite the long shot.
PASS, unless you really like to roll the dice.
To win American League
Odds: +7000 (bet $100 to win $7,000)
The Royals are simply trying to win more games than they lose, and if they were able to somehow finish in 2nd or 3rd in the Central, it would be considered a win. This isn’t a playoff team, and it certainly isn’t a team which is going to edge out free-spending contenders like the Astros, Rangers, Yankees and talented teams like the Mariners, Orioles, Rays and Twins, etc.
PASS.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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