PHILADELPHIA, PA — Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy placed a $200,000 bet on the Phillies to win the World Series this year, just the latest sign that the reality of the Phillies dominance is beginning to settle into the psyche of the nation.
The $200,000 bet will pay Portnoy out $1.4 million if the Phillies win.
Of course, such a big gamble on the Fightins this year is hardly the underdog bet it was two postseasons ago, or even at any point last year.
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The Phillies have the best record in all of baseball as the halfway mark of the season approaches, sitting at 52-26 and a stunning eight games ahead of last years' regular season leaders, the Atlanta Braves.
They look to have three All Star game starters in Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, and Trea Turner, and there's a good chance that Ranger Suarez will be named the All Star game starter. They've been at or near the top of industry power rankings since the middle of April, and currently sit at number two on MLB.com's list behind the New York Yankees.
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The Phillies currently have +600 odds to win it all, trailing still the Los Angeles Dodgers (+310) and the Yankees (+475) despite having a superior record. Red October is looming.
Portnoy said he made the bet after his chosen Edmonton Oilers lost the Stanley Cup to the Florida Panthers on Monday night.
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