Tag: 2020 MLB

MLB Prop Bets: Bank on these pitchers to record the most strikeouts

Making the best MLB prop bet picks to lead baseball in strikeouts in the 60-game 2020 MLB season.

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We continue looking at the available 2020 MLB prop bets at BetMGM with a look at the pitcher to record the most strikeouts in the 60-game 2020 MLB regular season. Below, we make our picks and best bets for which player will finish as MLB’s 2020 strikeout leader.

2020 MLB strikeout leader best bets

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, July 13 at 1:05 a.m. ET.

Favorite: Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees (+230)

With the Houston Astros last year, Gerrit Cole’s MLB-leading 326 strikeouts were the most in a season for any current pitcher. Cole cashed in on his 2019 dominance this offseason with a fat new deal, signing with the New York Yankees, and enters the COVID-altered 60-game season as a heavy favorite to repeat as the majors’ strikeout leader.

The Yankees fan in me expects Cole to dazzle in pinstripes, but the gambler in me hates the +230 value. Too many things can go wrong, between injury and COVID, and a 60-game schedule is too small of a time frame for such little payout. PASS ON COLE LEADING THE MLB IN STRIKEOUTS.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Best Bet:  Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (+550)

Max Scherzer fell out of the MLB’S top-3 in strikeouts last season for the first time since 2011 — when he ranked eighth. He led the NL in strikeouts three consecutive seasons, 2016-18, and led the majors in 2016 an ’18. However, 2019 wasn’t a down year for Scherzer — he led the NL in K’s per nine innings (12.691) a second consecutive season — but he only started 27 games, the first time he’s started less than 30 games since his debut season in the majors (2008).

Questions about a World Series hangover are fair in most cases, but not with Scherzer. He is one of baseball’s fiercest competitors and expect to see the best of him as the Nationals defend their title. I LOVE SCHERZER (+550) TO RECORD THE MOST STRIKEOUTS IN 2020. 

Also see: Best MLB bets to win the 2020 World Series

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Sleeper:  Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (+2500)

Like Scherzer, I believe in a motivational edge for Stephen Strasburg in 2020. Health has always been a concern for Strasburg — who has only started 30+ games in three of 10 career seasons — but he is generally dominant when he pitches. He’s led the NL once in strikeouts (co-leader in 2014), averages 10.6 K’s per nine innings and 241 strikeouts per 162 games for his career.

The major factors of why I LIKE Strasburg (+2500) to fan the most batters in 2020 are the insane value, the COVID-altered schedule 60-game and his performance against NL East foes. Strasburg had the third-most strikeouts against division opponents (most in the NL).

Want action on any 2020 MLB futures? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Top 5 Fantasy Baseball sleepers for 2020

Looking at the top 5 sleeper picks for the 2020 Fantasy Baseball season.

As the adjusted 60-game MLB season approaches, we take a closer look at some fantasy baseball sleeper picks. In a season that will involve more use of organizational depth and have a wider strength-of-schedule disparity than perhaps any other in the modern era, sleeper candidates figure to loom large in clocking points this season.

Let’s look at the top five players who fall into this category.

Top 5 Fantasy Baseball sleepers

Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Gavin Lux

Lux scuffled in his debut season, batting a whiff-heavy .240 in a 23-game stint. The Dodgers’ second sacker has a skill set to get to an OPS in the high 700s. The former first-round draft pick (Dodgers – 2016) has potential in all the fantasy scoring categories.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

Boston Red Sox OF Alex Verdugo

The 24-year-old comes over to the Red Sox after batting .294 with 12 home runs for the Dodgers in 377 plate appearances last year. A lot of line drives and a lot of Fenway Park on the schedule is a combination that never hurt anyone, unless you pitch for a living. The Statcast analytics – improved launch angle, an uptick in exit velocity – and improved performance against southpaws were factors somewhat masked by late-season injury issues (oblique strain). Verdugo benefits from the delayed start to the season, and fantasy managers will, as well.

Also see:

Colorado Rockies RP Scott Oberg

Oberg logged a 2.25 ERA across 56 innings pitched a year ago, and he figures to have a very real opportunity to unseat RP Wade Davis as the incumbent closer in Denver. The 30-year-old right-hander is an extreme groundball pitcher, and that’s helped him post tremendous numbers at Coors Field the last couple seasons.

Playing fantasy baseball? A Draft Day like no other deserves a fantasy baseball Cheat Sheet like no other. Weekly HQBasics from BaseballHQ is $4.95 with coupon code SBW5. Sign up now!

Miami Marlins OF Jon Berti

Berti registered an impressive late-bloomer rookie season in 2019. Position-wise, the 30-year-old is a Swiss Army Knife, and a year ago he clocked a .348 on-base percentage and stole 17 bases. A thief of 270 bags in nine Minor League seasons, Berti’s straight-line sprint speed measured as 13th-fastest in the 2019 MLB season.

The .348 OBP would appear ripe for regression, but the 2020 season brings more roster flexibility and playing-time potential for down-roster types.

Oakland Athletics SP Frankie Montas

Can a 16-start, 2.63 ERA pitcher still be considered a sleeper the following season? In this case, yes. Montas returned from a PED suspension last year to strike out 9.66 batters per nine innings over 96 frames. An improved splitter last summer, improved velocity this summer, and a shortened season that mitigates some potential durability issues all point to good things for Montas.

He certainly wouldn’t be the first MLB pitcher to really get in high gear around the age of 27 (his current age). A schedule featuring 67% of games against the AL West doesn’t hurt. An early look at average draft positioning shows the Oakland hurler being undervalued.

Want action on any 2020 MLB futures? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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MLB plans return: What we know and updated World Series odds

MLB plans to return with a 60-game 2020 season tentatively set for late July. We look at the details and updated World Series betting odds.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred scheduled a return to baseball for late July, several high-ranking officials told USA TODAY Sports Monday night. A 60-game regular season is tentatively set pending players union approval of the health and safety protocols.

Below, we’ll look at all the key dates and details, as well as the updated 2020 World Series betting odds at BetMGM.

New 2020 MLB schedule

  • “Spring” training 2.0 will start July 1. Teams will train at their home ballpark facilities, with the possible exception of the Toronto Blue Jays, who may need to use their spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla.
  • Opening Day is expected to be during the July 24-26 weekend.

What will the 2020 MLB game-play look like?

(Photo Credit: John David Mercer – USA TODAY Sports)

It is likely no fans will be permitted at games amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The postseason will remain at the 10-team format, including one play-in game in both leagues.

Regular-season games will adopt the minor-league rule for extra innings of beginning with a runner on second base for every half-inning after the ninth. The designated runner would be the player that made the final out of the previous half-inning.

2020 MLB World Series betting odds

2020 World Series odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 23 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

  • New York Yankees +350 (unchanged)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers +375 (was +380)
  • Houston Astros +800 (was +700)
  • Atlanta Braves +1400 (was +1100)

Pro tip: New to sports betting? A $100 wager on the Yankees to win the World Series at +350 odds profits $350 if the Yankees do so. Place your legal sports wagers online in Colorado, Indiana, New Jersey and West Virginia at BetMGM.

  • Minnesota Twins +1600 (unchanged)
  • Washington Nationals +1600 (unchanged)
  • Tampa Bay Rays +2000 (unchanged)
  • Chicago Cubs +2500 (was +3000)
  • Cleveland Indians +2500 (was +3000)
  • New York Mets +2500 (unchanged)
  • Oakland Athletics +2500 (unchanged)
  • Philadelphia Phillies +2500 (unchanged)
  • St. Louis Cardinals +2500 (was +2000)
  • Cincinnati Reds +3000 (unchanged)
  • Chicago White Sox +3500 (unchanged)
  • Los Angeles Angels +3500 (unchanged)
  • Boston Red Sox +4000 (was +3500)
  • Milwaukee Brewers +4000 (was +3500)
  • Arizona Diamondbacks +5000 (unchanged)
  • San Diego Padres +5000 (unchanged)
  • Texas Rangers +8000 (unchanged)
  • Toronto Blue Jays +15000 (was +10000)
  • Colorado Rockies +22000 (was +30000)
  • Kansas City Royals +50000 (unchanged)
  • Miami Marlins +50000 (unchanged)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates +50000 (unchanged)
  • San Francisco Giants +50000 (unchanged)
  • Seattle Mariners +50000 (unchanged)
  • Baltimore Orioles +100000 (was +50000)
  • Detroit Tigers +100000 (was +50000)

Get some action on the 2020 World Series and 60-game MLB season by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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