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By Max Meyer

Not only is this World Series between two teams trying to enter their name into the history books, but a futures wager placed at Caesars Sportsbook could end up doing the same as well.

The Braves and Astros square off in Houston for Game 1 of the 2021 World Series tonight, with first pitch slated for 8:09 p.m. ET/5:09 p.m. PT. 

This is Atlanta’s first World Series appearance since 1999, and the Braves have not been champions since 1995. On the other side, the Astros won the franchise’s first World Series back in 2017.

One bettor is banking heavily on Houston winning its second championship in five years. On June 22, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale placed a $2 million wager on the Astros at 10/1 for potential winnings of $20 million. That would be the biggest reported payout in U.S. sports betting history.

“For Game 1, we’ll trade based on the positions we get from the game and ignore the futures book for now,” said Craig Mucklow, Vice President of Trading at Caesars Sportsbook. “But if Atlanta wins tonight, we will be industry-best price for Atlanta tomorrow for Game 2. You’re not going to be able to hedge your position that much game-to-game once you get to the World Series, but you might be able to soften the blow on an elimination game.”

After opening as -145 favorites in Game 1, the Astros are currently down to -135. The Braves are +125 to steal the opening contest of the series in Houston, while the total sits at 8.5 (over -105/under -115). Framber Valdez will take the mound for the home team, whereas Charlie Morton is getting the nod for Atlanta. While these starting pitchers were announced well ahead of time, that may not always be the case if the earlier rounds of this postseason serve as an indication. 

“One thing we are going to do next year is move away from the listed pitcher, because it gives bettors more time to place a wager and it’s a better experience for bettors all around,” Mucklow said. “We can probably predict that it’ll come down to two pitchers. Unfortunately when you have a starter listed, you can’t gamble and go with who you think it is then get it wrong. You have to wait for the declaration of who’s starting. Next year, we’ll put a number up regardless and if we get it wrong, then it’ll benefit the bettors.”

For Game 1, the action has been tight on the moneyline. The Astros have the edge with 57% of the total dollars wagered, and each team has notched 50% of the total number of tickets. The total is where Caesars Sportsbook bettors are more aligned, with the over generating 66% of the total number of tickets and 84% of the total dollars wagered.

The underdog has attracted notable action for series futures, though, with the Braves nabbing 70% of the total number in tickets and 69% of the total dollars wagered.

“It’s logical in baseball that you would see underdog money ahead of the series,” Mucklow said. “It’s common since homefield isn’t as influential in baseball. It has a value, but it’s not like a football value or going to Utah in basketball value. This series it’s also amplified because no one is rooting for Houston besides their fans because of the cheating scandals and Atlanta is a fresh face since they haven’t made the World Series in a while.”

Check out Caesars Sportsbook’s latest odds and trends for Game 1 of the World Series between the Braves and Astros below. 