The 2018 World Series is still eight months away, yet Las Vegas sportsbooks are already gearing up for the fall classic. With spring training underway, and many key free agents signing with new teams, the odds to win the MLB championship this fall are changing by the week. While it is always easy to say that the Astros, Yankees, and Dodgers are going to be good in 2018, the real challenge is to find that diamond in the rough.

Remember, the Philadelphia Eagles were listed anywhere between 40-60/1 before the 2017 NFL season began to win Super Bowl 52, and we all know how that turned out.

So, is there a team or two out there that will surprise the baseball masses? There always is. Here are three early long-shot teams that are worth the investment for the upcoming 2018 MLB season.

Philadelphia Phillies

Forget that they play in the same division with the heavily favored Washington Nationals. All the pressure in the world is on the Nats, not the Phillies. Philadelphia may have finished in last place in 2017, but the youth on this team is something to watch out for.

The pitching staff will be led by Aaron Nola and Vince Velasquez - both who are young, talented and very promising. Add to that the acquisition of former Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana in free agency, the Phillies will have one of the better top three hitting teams in the National League to lead off a game with Cesar Hernandez, Carlos Santana, and Odubel Herrera.

At 10,000/1 odds, count me in!

San Francisco Giants

The Giants are coming off of a huge disappointment of a season, however, these guys are retooled and ready to roll in 2018. With Madison Bumgarner expected to be healthy and the additions of Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria, San Francisco is once again ready to make a run at the NL West crown.

If Bumgarner puts up his average numbers, which were sorely missed in 2017 when he missed most of the season, and McCutchen and Longoria play to their potential, the Giants could be looking to collect yet another World Series ring this fall.

They also look like a solid bargain at +2000.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brew Crew are back!

Well, they were never really gone, but the odds of them winning the World Series look great for a huge underdog. The additions of Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain instantly strengthens an already better than average team and makes the Brewers a legit contender to win the NL Central crown.

Last year Milwaukee finished in second place, six games behind the Chicago Cubs.

At +4000, you can expect those odds to decrease soon, especially if the Brewers have a good month of April.
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