Every Major League Baseball season has its share of surprises, but the 2025 campaign has been particularly dramatic in how it reshaped expectations. Teams that began the year as longshots are now legitimate contenders, while preseason favorites have had to prove their staying power through injuries, slumps, and stiff competition.
Odds set by sportsbooks provide a running commentary on these developments, offering insight into how quickly momentum can swing over 162 games. The journey from underdog to contender highlights the dynamic nature of baseball itself: unpredictable, thrilling, and always evolving.
If any team embodies the phrase “from underdogs to contenders,” it is the Philadelphia Phillies. Entering 2025 with odds around +1100, they were seen as potential postseason participants but not leaders in the World Series chase. That perception shifted dramatically. By mid-September, the Phillies’ odds have shortened to +450, making them the outright favorite.
Philadelphia’s surge has been fueled by a combination of timely hitting, reliable pitching, and resilience against top opponents. Securing a playoff berth and positioning themselves for a first-round bye, they became the team to watch in the National League.
For bettors, their rise was a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change and how markets respond in kind. For fans eager to follow these shifts, updated FanDuel Sportsbook odds provide a real-time snapshot of how performance on the field translates into market confidence.
Philadelphia’s climb from mid-tier hopeful to frontrunner illustrates how odds can validate momentum while keeping pace with the unpredictable drama of the season.
The Detroit Tigers began the season far from the spotlight. Opening with World Series odds as long as +4000, they were viewed as a team still in rebuilding mode. By mid-September, that outlook had completely changed. Their odds have shortened to +800, signaling their rise from outsiders to genuine postseason threats. Several factors contributed to this turnaround:
This surge illustrates the fluid nature of betting markets. Early-season odds reflect projections and past performance, but once a team proves its potential on the field, sportsbooks must adjust quickly. The Tigers’ transformation is a textbook example of how underdogs can rewrite their story within a single season.
Not every contender needs to reinvent itself to stay relevant. The Dodgers and Yankees entered the season with high expectations, and both teams have maintained a strong presence in the World Series conversation.
After winning the 2024 World Series, Los Angeles entered 2025 as the favorite with +400 odds. Their roster depth, bolstered by offseason acquisitions, kept them near the top of the market even as injuries tested their resilience.
By September, the Dodgers’ odds are hovering around +450. The shift was slight, a reflection of both their continued dominance and the challenges of repeating as champions. The Dodgers’ steadiness underscores the value of proven rosters. Despite the grind of a long season and key players missing time, sportsbooks continued to recognize their potential to contend deep into October.
The Yankees’ story was one of steadiness, punctuated by moments of setback. Opening the season with odds around +700, they remained in the conversation throughout the summer. By September, their odds have settled near +900, reflecting both their successes and the impact of injuries.
New York’s trajectory shows how sportsbooks weigh both consistency and adversity. A team with a storied lineup and postseason pedigree retains favorable odds, even when forced to adapt. Their relative stability, compared to Detroit’s dramatic rise, highlights the range of ways odds can mirror team narratives.
While odds highlight trends, they don’t capture the entire picture. Context matters, including roster depth, midseason acquisitions, injury reports, and playoff matchups, which all influence how a team is perceived and how it performs.
For those looking to pair market shifts with deeper insights, comprehensive MLB team overviews offer a broader perspective.
Reviewing statistical breakdowns alongside shifts in the betting markets gives fans a more complete understanding of why a team’s odds move the way they do. This approach helps separate temporary swings from sustainable trends, making it easier to follow the season with both enthusiasm and clarity.
The final weeks of the season highlight why these odds shifts matter so much. For underdog stories like Detroit, shorter odds represent validation of their progress and a chance to inspire confidence heading into October. For established powers like the Dodgers and Yankees, holding ground in the markets reinforces their ability to remain threats, even when faced with adversity.
The Phillies’ rise is perhaps the most impactful storyline of all. Their transformation from hopeful contenders to favorites captures the spirit of baseball’s unpredictability and underscores how quickly a narrative can change.
As October approaches, these surges not only set the stage for thrilling matchups but also remind fans that every inning matters in shaping both the standings and the markets.
The 2025 season has shown that odds are more than projections; they’re reflections of resilience, momentum, and opportunity. From Detroit’s rise to Philadelphia’s dominance, the story of the year has been one of shifting expectations and evolving contenders.
For fans, these changes offer a richer way to engage with the season, one that pairs the action on the diamond with the constantly moving numbers off it. As the postseason looms, the connection between performance and perception will only grow stronger, ensuring that the journey from underdogs to contenders remains one of the most compelling aspects of the game.
*Content reflects information available as of 17/09/2025; subject to change.
