After breaking their World Series drought in November with a 4-3 series win over the LA Dodgers, Houston have been tipped to go back-to-back according to CrownBet.
The Astros, who were led by star sluggers George Springer and Jose Altuve, won their first World Series in the franchise’s 53-year history in an astonishing Game 7.
Springer’s leadoff double in the first gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, and he was at it again in the second with a two-run homer helping his side jump out to a 4-0 buffer.
Houston added a fifth soon after and led 5-0 after two innings, before holding on to the lead for the remainder of the contest to finally bring a World Series pennant to Houston.
Their rise to stardom has been a swift one, after the Astros finished last in their division for three seasons straight between 2011-2013.
Given they’re at the pinnacle of the sport now, there’s no reason why they can’t remain there and be among the favourites for next year’s crown.
Close behind them are the LA Dodgers, who just fell short of their seventh World Series title and first since 1988 with the Game 7 loss.
The Dodgers did well to win Game 6 after the Astros took a 3-2 series lead, although without Clayton Kershaw as the starting pitcher in the deciding game, they gave up too many runs early and had to chase the game from the beginning.
They’ll be out to go one step better next season, although a few other franchises are on their tail.
Chicago and Cleveland are next in line according to the odds, with the Cubs falling to the Dodgers in this season’s National League Championship Series.
The Indians could only make it as far as the American League Division Series, although the 2016 World Series runners up will be one of the teams to beat again in 2018.
The Washington Nationals round out the top five as next season’s Major League Baseball campaign is once again set to be anyone’s game.
