LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Dodgers have spent a lot of money intending to win their 2nd straight World Series and gamblers are putting their cash on Los Angeles.

BetMGM Sportsbook has taken 37.8% of its futures money on the Dodgers, which far its previous high of 21.7% of cash that was put on the 2022 New York Mets. It's also far ahead of this year's Mets, who at 9.4% are getting the second-highest amount of the handle. The New York Yankees are 3rd at 7.7%.

The Dodgers likewise lead in wagering tickets at 17.5%, with the Mets next at 8.7% and the Philadelphia Phillies at 8.6%.

Opening day for a lot of teams is Thursday.

"It's all Dodgers money," BetMGM trading supervisor Halvor Egeland said. "That's somewhat frequent when it comes to the favorites. Favorites are going to take the majority of the cash, however this is a level we don't normally see. ... It's a little bit of a hole liability sensible, which is a little out of the standard for a preferred."

That's due to the fact that sportsbooks typically set a high enough price in anticipation for the rush of cash, but not to this level. The Dodgers, who already are 2-0 after a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, are +240 at BetMGM.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Michael Conforto is congratulated after scoring on a two-run single by Austin Barnes throughout the 4th inning of a spring training baseball game versus Los Angeles Angels, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

The next closest are the Yankees and Atlanta Braves at +900 each.

DraftKings Sportsbook race and sports operations director Johnny Avello stated the Dodgers are popular, but the futures money is relatively well spread out. LA is +290 at DraftKings and the Braves are next at +750 and the Yankees at +850.

"They have actually got a total group," Avello stated of the Dodgers. "Will they win it all again? I do not understand. Sometimes at the end of the year, things just require to go your method. I do not care how great you are."

The Mets are challenging the Dodgers on costs, and the club made a splashy relocation by signing Juan Soto to a record $765 million, 15-year contract.

Bettors are relying on that aggressiveness to help the Mets win their first World Series title considering that 1986.

The Mets are listed at +1200 at BetMGM and DraftKings.

"If the Mets start excellent, they're going to continue to take cash," Avello said. "If they do not start great and we raise their odds, they're going to continue to take money. They're going to be wager all year long."

The Athletics went 32-32 after the All-Star break and after that broke their recent practice and invested money in significant league payroll.

There are believers in the A's, who are about to play their very first of at least 3 seasons at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento, California, before a prepared for relocation to Las Vegas,

The A's were wagered up from a win overall at BetMGM of 70 1/2 to 72 1/2, though the number settled back down to 71 1/2.

"We may end up returning there," Egeland stated of 72 1/2. "It appeared like as quickly as we increased with the A's, there's some interest. Even in the department, we had some interest there on the A's, which is sort of surprising for the quantity of money they invest. But I do think people like the young talent and pitchers like Mason Miller."

Terry Francona was worked with for another improvement job, the Reds hoping he will find similar success in Cincinnati that he had with Boston and Cleveland.

"We are seeing some money on them to win all of it," Avello said. "You get a truly great cost. They ´ re projected to win around 78, 79 video games approximately. And this guy ´ s a winner. He discovers ways to make teams that are typical far better, so that ´ s why I think bettors are wagering the Reds to win everything."

The Reds, who have a core of young gamers led by Elly De La Cruz, are +8000 at BetMGM and +9000 at DraftKings.

Injuries have actually limited Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout, once the game's most total gamer, to 82 or fewer games three of the previous 4 seasons.

He is moving from center to ideal field with the concept that covering less ground in the outfield might help him remain healthy.

Trout is the +300 favorite at BetMGM to be chosen AL Comeback Player of the Year.

"People are liking that one," Egeland said. "It's not an award that typically gets a ton of handle, but when you have somebody like Trout readily available, that's where most of the cash is going to go."

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani follows through on a solo crowning achievement in the fifth inning of an MLB Tokyo Series baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout runs to first base after hitting a base hit versus Los Angeles Dodgers throughout the very first inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)