This Royals Playoff Bet Still Has Shocking Value

The Kansas City Royals have been favored to make the playoffs at most sportsbooks for a few weeks now, but that bet still holds a surprising amount of value despite their success.

Kansas City is currently listed at -140 odds to make the playoffs at FanDuel Sportsbook, but the math says they have a much better chance than that implied probability of 58.3%.

These odds have moved closer to even-money with KC losing its last three games, but that skid likely won't continue, which means you'll have to act fast if you want to jump on these odds.

Let’s break down why this is such a good bet. 

Royals Are Favored to Make Playoffs by Top Projections

Kansas City is listed at an 81.9% chance to make the MLB Playoffs, according to Baseball Reference. That’s a 23.6% difference from the implied probability of this bet at FanDuel! 

It's easy to see how that math adds up at Baseball Reference, even if other projections aren’t as favorable. 

The MLB Playoff picture is as weak as it’s been in years. The Royals currently own the second AL Wild Card spot. 

They are 3.5 games out of first place in the AL Central, 6.0 games back of the Orioles for the first AL Wild Card spot and 3.5 games ahead of the Twins, who own the third and final AL Wild Card.

Beyond the Twins, it’s a pretty bleak picture. 

The Toronto Blue Jays (33-34) and Boston Red Sox (33-34) are both two games back from the Twins, but Toronto could sell off some of its best players and Boston has been a middling team all season. After those teams lurk the Detroit Tigers (32-34), Tampa Bay Rays (32-35), Texas Rangers (31-35) and Houston Astros (31-37). 

Of all of the non-Wild Card teams, the Astros (37.3%) are the only team with more than a 14% chance to make the MLB Playoffs, and much of that likely has to do with them playing in a weak AL West division. 

And these odds don't factor in what the Royals will look like if they make ANY moves to acquire talent before the MLB Trade Deadline.

Here are how the Royals are projected to finish this season by some of the top projection models: 

More Kansas City Royals Team News:

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.