The Dodgers have spent a lot of money hoping to win their second straight World Series and bettors are putting their cash on Los Angeles.

BetMGM Sportsbook in Las Vegas has taken 37.8% of its futures money on the Dodgers, which far exceeds its previous high of 21.7% of money that was placed on the 2022 New York Mets. It’s also far ahead of this year’s Mets, who at 9.4% are receiving the second-highest amount of the handle. The New York Yankees are third at 7.7%.

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

“It’s all Dodgers money,” BetMGM trading manager Halvor Egeland said. “That’s somewhat frequent when it comes to the favorites. Favorites are going to take most of the money, but this is a level we don’t typically see. ... It’s a little bit of a hole liability wise, which is a little out of the norm for a favorite.”

That’s because sportsbooks typically set a high enough price in anticipation for the rush of money, 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.

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

Bregman will play third base for Boston >> Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that newly acquired free agent Alex Bregman will play third base this season, with incumbent Rafael Devers moving to designated hitter.

Devers has been one of the game’s top hitters over the past seven-plus seasons, but he’s led the league in errors at the position seven years in a row.

NFL

New kickoff rules may be permanent >> The NFL competition committee is recommending making the dynamic kickoff rule permanent and moving touchbacks to the 35-yard line in hopes of generating even more returns.

The competition committee released several potential rule changes for 2025, including an expansion of instant replay that will be considered next week at the league meetings in Palm Beach, Fla. Any rule change must be approved by 24 out of 32 team owners.

Teams submitted several proposals that also could be voted on at the league meetings, including banning the “tush push” and changing playoff seeding rules.

Golf

Horschel’s putt leads Atlanta to TGL indoor title >> Billy Horschel made an 18-foot birdie putt down the slope and Patrick Cantlay clinched it with another clutch chip as the Atlanta Drive won the inaugural TGL title by coming back for a 4-3 victory over New York at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Figure skating

Liu takes lead at world championships >> American figure skater Alysa Liu assumed the lead after the short program on the opening night of the world championships in Boston, proving that the Olympian is much farther along in her comeback from retirement than almost anyone thought.

Liu, 19, fought back tears after scoring her international-best 74.58 points for her program. Mone Chiba of Japan was second (73.44) while U.S. teammate Isabeau Levito was third (73.33).