Vegas Believes in the Nationals with Odds to Win 2018 World Series

The Washington Nationals have failed to win a postseason series, losing in the NLDS four of the last six seasons. This year’s edition of October failure came at the hands of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs did like the St. Louis Cardinals (2012) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2016) did before, beat the Nationals in a Game 5 at Nationals Park.

The failure led to the decision not to renew manager Dusty Baker’s contract, and letting go his entire coaching staff in the process. For a team that core has been together since 2012 — the first year of its failures — it appears their window to win a World Series is closing. Dave Martinez comes into the clubhouse as the club’s fourth manager since 2013. While his coaching staff is not complete, Vegas still believes the Nationals can get over the hump in 2018.

Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook gives the Nationals’ a 7-1 odds of winning the World Series next season. Those are good for the second-best odds in the National League behind the Dodgers, who lost this year’s Fall Classic in seven games to the Houston Astros, and fourth overall. Only the Cleveland Indians and World Series champs Astros have better odds than Washington.

Considering the failure, the past six seasons, the window closing on the core of players, and another managerial change, having 7-1 odds to win it all is remarkable. Then again, Martinez did say he and his staff were brought in to win the title now.

Let’s see how much bettors believe in the Nats.