Tag: 2020 World Series

Former Gator Mike Zunino struggled in the MLB playoffs, is now a free agent

Zunino, a Florida alum, wasn’t a big factor in the Tampa Bay Rays’ postseason push. What’s next for him as he enters free agency?

The smattering of former Florida Gators in Major League Baseball sent one of their own to the World Series in 2020. Catcher Mike Zunino was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays during their ill-fated October quest to a championship. Being one of the best baseball prospects to ever don the blue and orange, it’s worth taking a look at how well he played for Tampa Bay and what’s next for the backstop.

Bluntly, he was not a useful batter in Tampa Bay’s postseason run. Over the course of 19 games, he hit .170/.196/.396. According to wRC+, a metric designed to level any statistical offensive output and compare them on even terms, that line was a monstrous 45 percent below the league-wide average. Striking out almost half the time and walking only once was no help, either.

The bright spot in his largely unfortunate postseason campaign was the excellent rate at which he was hitting home runs. In that same 19-game sample in which he only got on base one out of ever five times at bat, he was hitting home runs at an above-average pace. That’s no small feat, but Zunino has impressive power locked away in his 6-foot-2-inch, 235-pound frame.

An argument could be made that he was getting unlucky, and on the surface, that argument may seem to hold water. On balls he put into play, Zunino’s batting average was only .217, whereas the league averages approximately .300 on balls in play. This measurement (referred to as BABIP) is generally thought of as an indicator of luck. Higher than .300, and a player was overly fortunate. Lower than .300, and he may not have played up to his true talent level.

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Notre Dame Product A.J. Pollock is World Series Champion with Dodgers

For the first time since Brad Lidge with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, a former Notre Dame player has won a World Series title.

For the first time since Brad Lidge with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, a former Notre Dame player has won a World Series title. That player is Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder A.J. Pollock, whose team won its first championship since 1988 on Tuesday. Though he had only one double and one walk in seven plate appearances during the Fall Classic, he’ll surely take a ring in his second season in Los Angeles.

Pollock’s seven seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks included an All-Star selection and Gold Glove in 2015. After reaching the playoffs only once during that time, he took his talents to Chavez Ravine for a four-year, $55 million deal beginning in 2019. During the pandemic-shortened regular season, he tied with Mookie Betts for the team lead in home runs with 16. He also posted a slash line of .276/.314/.566 and had 34 RBIs over 55 games.

Congratulations to A.J. for playing a role in making the City of Angels the city of champions in 2020.

Best MLB bets to win the 2020 World Series

Looking at the MLB futures odds and making our picks and best bets to win the 2020 World Series.

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The 2020 MLB season is reportedly set to start Thursday, July 23, with the official Opening Day set for July 24, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. The abbreviated 60-game season will leave teams with little room for error and helps level the competitive playing field. Below, we’ll look at the MLB futures odds and make our picks and best bets to win the 2020 World Series.

2020 World Series best bets

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, July 6 at 3:10 a.m. ET.

Tampa Bay Rays (+2000)

The Rays have one of the deepest rosters in MLB and will benefit from being able to carry additional players, such as top prospect SS Wander Franco. Top-three starters Charlie Morton, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are one of the best three-man groups in the American League.

Manager Kevin Cash has proven to be excellent in bullpen usage and openers may be even more important this season than ever before. The Rays are well prepared for injuries or illness and won’t be derailed by the loss of one or two key players.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rays to win the 2020 World Series would return a profit of $200.

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!

Philadelphia Phillies (+2500)

The Phillies fell well short of expectations last season at 81-81 and a fourth-place finish in the National League East following the high-profile free-agent signing of OF Bryce Harper. Their 2020 odds have been set higher, even with the offseason addition of SS Didi Gregorius to cement the bottom half of one of the strongest batting orders in the NL.

SP Zack Wheeler was also added in free agency, while a bounce-back season can be expected from a healthier Jake Arrieta. Aaron Nola should once again contend for the NL Cy Young Award.

Also see: 2020 MLB Futures Odds: How many games will the Philadelphia Phillies win?

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Los Angeles Angels (+4000)

Reigning AL MVP OF Mike Trout may be more important than ever in the condensed season as no player in baseball can do more in just 60 games. 3B Anthony Rendon was signed in free agency fresh off of his 2019 World Series win with the Washington Nationals and adds some much-needed winning experience to a team that hasn’t made the postseason since being swept out of the AL Division Series against the Kansas City Royals in 2014.

Pitching depth will be tested once again, following another injury-plagued 2019 season. SPs Julio Teheran and Dylan Bundy were key offseason additions, while the dual-threat Shohei Ohtani will return to the mound in 2020.

Milwaukee Brewers (+4000)

The Brewers have the highest World Series odds of any 2019 playoff team. They had a busy offseason, which included the loss of C Yasmani Grandal to free agency, but 3B Eric Sogard and 1B Justin Smoak were key veteran additions. 2B Keston Hiura and SS Luis Urias will complement OFs Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich in full-time roles.

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

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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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2020 MLB rule changes and World Series futures odds

Looking at rule changes for the shortened 2020 MLB season and the updated World Series betting odds.

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The 2020 MLB season is tentatively scheduled to begin Thursday, July 23, with the New York Yankees visiting the reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. If both clubs pitch their aces, the matchup would feature Gerrit Cole, who signed as a free-agent with the Yankees (record-breaking $324 million deal for nine years) and the Nationals’ Max Scherzer – they faced off last season in Game 1 of the World Series when Cole was with the Houston Astros.

The schedule for the abbreviated 60-game season won’t be finalized for a few weeks, but the Yankees and Nationals are expected to be part of a small lineup of games one day ahead of Opening Day for everyone else (Friday, July 24). Below, we’ll highlight key rules changes for the 2020 season, and look at the updated 2020 World Series futures odds at BetMGM.

2020 rule changes

  • Sixty-game regular-season schedule: 10 games against each division opponent, and a total of 20 games vs. the corresponding division in the other league (i.e. AL East vs. NL East) – though it’s unclear if it will be four games against each team or more weighted vs. the “geographic rival” (i.e. Yankees-New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels-Los Angeles Dodgers).
  • Rosters will be expanded to a total of 60 players with 30 on the active roster and an additional 30 on a taxi squad. After the first two weeks of the season, active rosters will drop to 28 players, and then to 26 players two weeks later through the end of the regular season. The trade deadline will be Aug. 31.
  • Both leagues will use the designated hitter.
  • In extra innings, teams will begin each half-inning with a runner on second base. The runner will be the batting team’s final out of the prior inning.
  • No scheduled doubleheaders.
  • Any game suspended at any point after the first pitch due to weather or COVID-19 reasons will be picked up at the point of the stoppage at a later date.

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 30 at 5 p.m. ET.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers +350 (was +375)
  • New York Yankees +350 (unchanged)
  • Houston Astros +800 (unchanged)
  • Atlanta Braves +1200 (was +1400)
  • Minnesota Twins +1600 (unchanged)
  • Tampa Bay Rays +2000 (unchanged)
  • Washington Nationals +2000 (was +1600)

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  • Chicago Cubs +2500 (unchanged)
  • Chicago White Sox +2500 (was +3500)
  • Cincinnati Reds +2500 (was +3000)
  • Cleveland Indians +2500 (unchanged)
  • New York Mets +2500 (unchanged)
  • Oakland Athletics +2500 (unchanged)
  • Philadelphia Phillies +2500 (unchanged)
  • St. Louis Cardinals +2500 (unchanged)
  • Boston Red Sox +3500 (was +4000)
  • Los Angeles Angels +4000 (was +3500)
  • Milwaukee Brewers +4000 (unchanged)
  • Arizona Diamondbacks +5000 (unchanged)
  • San Diego Padres +5000 (unchanged)
  • Texas Rangers +8000 (unchanged)
  • Toronto Blue Jays +10000 (was +15000)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates +15000 (was +50000)
  • San Francisco Giants +15000 (was +50000)
  • Colorado Rockies +20000 (was +22000)
  • Kansas City Royals +50000 (unchanged)
  • Miami Marlins +50000 (unchanged)
  • Seattle Mariners +50000 (unchanged)
  • Baltimore Orioles +100000 (unchanged)
  • 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.

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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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2020 World Series Futures Betting: 3 sleeper bets to consider

Analyzing the 2020 World Series futures odds, with a look at three MLB sleeper teams worth a bet to win it all.

Players have reported to the league’s 30 spring training sites and Cactus League and Grapefruit League games are just around the corner. Let’s take a look at the MLB futures board and identify some sleepers worth a bet to win the 2020 World Series.

2020 World Series bets: New York Mets (+2000)

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. ET.

This is a nice price on a club that played .639 baseball (46-26) after the All-Star break last season. The Mets averaged a robust 5.2 runs per game over those final 72 games. Most of the pieces of that run-scoring puzzle are back — the biggest piece is 2019 NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso – and the offense is supported by solid pitching. A starting rotation which includes NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Marcus Stroman is supported by a decent bullpen, and one that added Dellin Betances this offseason.

Analytics reveal a Mets squad whose 86 wins in 2019 don’t reflect a talent base which was closer to a 90-win level. More can be expected this season. A tough NL East is somewhat buoying these odds, and that’s fair, but in most permutations of a 2020 season playing out, something like a +1500 price would be more on target.

2020 World Series bets: Cincinnati Reds (+3000)

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All except the Pittsburgh Pirates could win the NL Central in 2020. Cincinnati’s offseason could best be described as shrewd and sneaky-aggressive with an eye toward winning ball games this season. Cincinnati was among the most active clubs this offseason. Free-agent additions Mike Moustakas and Nicholas Castellanos should help the Reds offense, and pitching is a team strength.

A ball club which under-performed on its runs and runs allowed won 75 games a year ago. A moderate amount of luck and some momentum playing out differently, and the Reds could well have won 84 games. Eighty-two or 83 wins is the real starting point for analyzing 2020, and that’s a solid base in an even division with a bottom feeder. In other words, those extra wins aren’t unattainable. St. Louis and Milwaukee won 91 and 89 games last year, respectively. Expect both to fall back a bit, and the Reds can be there to pick up the pieces and move forward.

2020 World Series bets: Minnesota Twins (+1400)

The Twins head into this season as the favorites to win the AL Central, but with the juggernaut Houston Astros and New York Yankees expected to continue their winning ways, Minnesota’s odds get squeezed a bit. A year ago, the Twins won 101 games and won the Central by eight games. Expect more of a challenge from the Cleveland Indians this season (they were a consideration for this slot but their +2200 price doesn’t bake in as much value).

The Twins were a bit too far over their skis in winning 101 games in 2019, but an otherwise quiet offseason was highlighted by the addition of 3B Josh Donaldson. Signing Donaldson moves another big bat — Miguel Sano — to first base, and it gives the Twins a solid, balanced lineup. The bullpen should be solid. It’s the starting rotation that brings the most question marks. José Berríos and Jake Odorizzi front a group that can at least get the Twins to the postseason. Having to get by the Astros or Yankees is what lifts the odds up over 10-1.

Want some action on the 2020 MLB season or other sports? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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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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2020 World Series Futures Betting: 5 teams to bet

Analyzing the odds to win the 2020 World Series, with a look at five MLB teams with the best chances to win the title.

The 2020 MLB season is right around the corner and all 30 teams technically have a chance to be the last ones standing come October, but there are some with much greater odds than others. Here are five teams we’d bet to win the 2020 World Series, balancing the likelihood of winning it all and their relative futures odds.

2020 World Series bets to make: New York Yankees (+350)

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. ET.

The Yankees were bounced by the Houston Astros in the ALCS last year, the second time in three seasons Houston beat New York in the American League Championship Series. The Yankees led the league in runs, but their biggest weakness was the pitching staff, which combined for an ERA of 4.31.

They addressed that issue by landing SP Gerrit Cole in free agency, adding him to a rotation also featuring Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino and J.A. Happ – as well as James Paxton and Domingo German, who will return midseason.

The Yankees have arguably the best lineup in baseball with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu. If Cole doesn’t flop in the hitter’s paradise that is Yankee Stadium, and Severino can stay relatively healthy, the Yankees should have no trouble making the playoffs with their lineup. Even as the odds-on favorites, they’re a good bet to break through after three years of coming up just short.

2020 World Series bets make: Los Angeles Dodgers (+400)

The Dodgers are essentially the Yankees of the National League. They boast a star-studded lineup that just added OF Mookie Betts via trade with the Boston Red Sox, as well as a deep pitching staff with Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler at the top. David Price joined the rotation, too.

They’ve come close to winning a championship in the last seven years, winning the NL West each time, reaching the World Series twice and losing in the NLCS two times. They have the second-best odds to win it all this season and considering how consistent they’ve been this decade – at least 91 wins in seven straight years – they’re a great bet to win the division and make a deep playoff run.

Their lineup is a murderer’s row of sluggers, while Kenley Jansen is the shutdown closer needed to win in October.

2020 World Series bets to make: Washington Nationals (+1400)

The defending World Series champions are only tied for the fifth-best odds in their quest to repeat, which no team has done since the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000. The fact they play in the daunting NL East doesn’t help their chances, needing to go up against the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves all year.

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The loss of 3B Anthony Rendon to free agency hurts a lot, but OF Juan Soto is a star, Trea Turner is an outstanding shortstop when healthy and the rotation can rival any in MLB.

Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin can carry the Nats back to the postseason, where pitching typically reigns supreme. There are questions in the bullpen, but those can be sorted out at the trade deadline, if necessary.

2020 World Series bets to make: New York Mets (+2000)

The Mets weren’t supposed to be this good this quickly, but after winning 86 games in 2019, they look like contenders in the NL East. That’s primarily because of their pitching staff, which is led by Jacob deGrom, of course, as well as Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman.

Pete Alonso headlines the batting order, but Michael Conforto is poised for a big year and Wilson Ramos is one of the top catchers in baseball. As somewhat of a longshot, it’s worth putting some money on the Mets to win the World Series – even with as bad as they’ve been since the turn of the century.

2020 World Series bets to make: Chicago White Sox (+3300)

If you really want to set yourself up to cash in, look at the White Sox in the AL Central. Yes, the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians pose threats to the White Sox’s potential breakthrough season, but the added benefit of beating up on the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals helps their chances.

The White Sox have a ton of talent in their lineup, including Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez. The veteran additions of Yasmani Grandal and Edwin Encarnacion provide juice in the middle, too.

The rotation is admittedly lacking top-end starters, but Lucas Giolito, Dallas Kuechel and Gio Gonzalez are proven in this league. Reynaldo Lopez was good in the second half of last season, improving his ERA from 6.34 to 4.29.

A lot needs to go right for Chicago to win the World Series, but the talent – particularly with its bats – is there.

Want some action on the 2020 MLB season or other sports? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire.

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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2020 World Series Futures Betting: 3 teams not worth a bet

Analyzing the 2020 World Series futures odds, with a look at three MLB teams not worthy of a bet heading into the season.

The 2020 World Series futures odds are just about set as we prepare to head into the MLB regular season. The odds will continue to be adjusted throughout the spring, summer and fall until the 2020 world champions are crowned. Below, we analyze the 2020 World Series odds and highlight three popular MLB futures bets to avoid.

World Series bets to avoid: New York Yankees (+350)

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. ET.

A $10 bet on the Yankees to win the 2020 World Series at +350 would return a profit of just $35 roughly nine months from now if the Bronx Bombers were to win it all. New York was able to cruise to a 103-59 record and top spot in the American League in 2019, despite injuries ravaging nearly the entire starting lineup at different points throughout the regular season. Much of the same lineup returns to health entering the 2020 campaign, and the Yankees landed the top prize of free agency in SP Gerrit Cole.

While Cole and a return to health for SP Luis Severino boost the starting rotation and strengthen the entire pitching staff behind a dominant offense, SPs James Paxton (injury) and Domingo German (suspension) are both expected to miss at least the first half of the season. OF Aaron Judge is also dealing with a sore shoulder to start spring training.

Hold off on placing your bets on the Yankees in hopes of more profitable odds in a few months, should they get off to a slow start. The current number is unlikely to go any lower until closer to playoff time.

World Series bets to avoid: Houston Astros (+550)

Whether they know what pitches are coming or not, the Astros are still loaded with talent, even with the loss of Cole to free agency. Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke will lead the rotation, while Lance McCullers returns after a lost season.

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Much like with the Yankees, the expectation is for the Astros to have more profitable odds in May or June. Star hitters Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are likely to be berated with questions over the sign-stealing scandal on a daily basis and it will loom as a distraction in the early part of the season should they show any sign of early struggles. These odds will become more profitable before they drop any lower.

World Series bets to avoid: Cincinnati Reds (+3000)

The Reds have been one of the busiest teams of the MLB offseason. As usual with the offseason champions, the hype is at a high for a team that hasn’t made the postseason since 2013. The Reds haven’t won a playoff series since 1995, and their lost World Series appearance and title was in 1990.

The roster was bolstered with the additions of Nicholas Castellanos, Mike Moustakas and Wade Miley this offseason, but everything will still need to go right for last year’s fourth-place finishers in the National League Central. The St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers aren’t quite the insurmountable hurdles they’ve been in recent years, but they still enter the league with the more proven rosters and as incumbent favorites in the division.

Want some action on the 2020 MLB season or other sports? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire.

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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How many games will the San Francisco Giants win in 2020?

Analyzing San Francisco Giants projected wins for the 2020 MLB season.

The once perennially contending San Francisco Giants are coming into 2020 finishing below .500 for their third consecutive season. They were third in the National League West division and are looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2016. Today, we focus on the Giants’ 2020 regular season win totals and World Series odds. Does the Giants have what it takes? Let’s analyze:

San Francisco Giants 2019 wins

San Francisco’s 77-85 record in 2019 was a four-game improvement from their 2018 performance. But 2019 was still a departure from the reputation the Giants nucleus built in the 2010s where the Giants won an MLB-high three World Series titles.

The Giants did make a slight push for a Wild Card berth—going two games above .500 on August 17—but were never contenders for the NL West crown, finishing 29 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

San Francisco Giants offseason

The 2019 offseason served as the beginning of the end of an era for the Giants. Four-time All-Star and three-time World Series Champion, Madison Bumgarner, signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Bruce Bochy retired after a 13-year Giants managerial stint. San Francisco’s big offseason moves were replacing Bochy with Gabe Kapler and welcoming back Hunter Pence, who was an All-Star and two-time champion with the Giants.

Baseball season is right around the corner! Get some action on this season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM. Bet now!

San Francisco Giants odds to win NL West division

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Lines last updated at Friday at 3:45 p.m. ET.

It’s hard to fathom the Giants (+10000) contending in an NL West featuring a rich Dodgers team that got richer this offseason and three other rosters that are more talented than the Giants. 10,000-1 is juicy but not juicy enough to gamble on the Giants taking the NL West from the Dodgers, who have won the previous seven division titles.

San Francisco Giants World Series odds

You can never say impossible in professional sports, but the Giants winning the 2020 World Series is the next closest thing to impossible. The last team to win the World Series after finishing below .500 the year before was the 2014 Giants. But that core had already proven itself—winning two World Series titles in 2012 and 2010—and should the 2020 Giants prevail, there wouldn’t be a more Cinderella Story in the MLB since who knows when.

How many games will San Francisco Giants win in 2020?

BET UNDER GIANTS 68.5 (-110) REGULAR SEASON WINS. There isn’t a single Giants starting pitcher in the projected rotation that finished above .500 in 2019 and no hitter finished above a .275 batting average. BaseballAmerica.com ranked the Giants’ farm system 14th, which is to say the Giants probably can’t bank on call-ups making a difference in 2020. 

Want some action on the MLB season or other sports? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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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 Futures Betting: 2020 World Series odds, picks and best bets

Predicting who will win the 2020 World Series, with MLB futures betting odds, picks and best bets.

The MLB futures odds for the 2020 World Series were shaken up again last week when the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a blockbuster trade centered upon former AL MVP OF Mookie Betts. After a lengthy delay and a reworked deal which eventually saw the Minnesota Twins acquire SP Kenta Maeda in a separate trade with the Dodgers, we’re now set for spring training to begin Friday, Feb. 21. Below, we’ll look at the 2020 World Series odds, with MLB futures betting picks and tips.

2020 World Series favorites

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, left, poses for photos with manager Aaron Boone at Legends Club at Yankee Stadium. (Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports)

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Tuesday at 1:40 p.m. ET.

New York Yankees (+350)

The Yankees, who had their 2019 season end with an American League Championship Series loss to the Houston Astros, head into 2020 as convincing favorites. They’re back to near full-health after a season that saw most regular starters spend a significant portion of the season on the injured list.

They also landed SP Gerrit Cole as the prize fish in free agency. He cements a rotation that ranked just 14th in baseball with a 4.31 ERA last season. It will be best to HOLD OFF on placing a bet on the Yankees, however, as SPs Domingo German (suspension) and James Paxton (injury) are both expected to miss the first half of the season. Hope for a poor start for the Bronx Bombers and jump on a double-digit number in May.

Los Angeles Dodgers (+400)

The Dodgers continue to retool in their quest to overcome postseason failures and win their first World Series since 1988. Betts joins a talented outfield with A.J. Pollock and Cody Bellinger, while Joc Pederson is set to open the season as the fourth outfielder following the failed trade with the Los Angeles Angels.

They’ll need a bounce-back season from LHP David Price, who was also acquired in the Betts deal. Still, he’s more than capable of being at least a steady No. 3 starter behind Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers are the heaviest favorites of any team to win their division at -1000 to win the NL West. This may be the best number they’ll have all season.

Place a sports bet on the 2020 World Series winner at BetMGM.

2020 World Series longshots

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) throws against the New York Mets during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. (Photo Credit: David Kohl – USA TODAY Sports)

Cincinnati Reds (+3000)

The Reds head into the season with just the fourth-best odds to win the NL Central at +380. They trail the St. Louis Cardinals (+210), Chicago Cubs (+250) and Milwaukee Brewers (+260). These odds are likely to correct early in 2020 after the Reds went just 75-87 last season.

OF Nicholas Castellanos and 2B Mike Moustakas punch up the lineup, while SP Wade Miley and a full season of Trevor Bauer stock the rotation behind ace Luis Castillo. The bullpen should also be one of the best in baseball.

Chicago White Sox (+3300)

The White Sox have a great advantage by playing in what’s likely to be the weakest division in MLB once again. The Cleveland Indians no longer look like contenders and trade rumors continue to swirl around star SS Francisco Lindor. The ChiSox will need the Twins to fall back to Earth after an offensive explosion last season to have a shot at the AL Central crown. They’re a strong bet to win the division at +350.

On their own merit, the White Sox finally succeeded in adding some star power in free agency – 1B Edwin Encarnacion, C Yasmani Grandal, SP Dallas Keuchel – and traded for OF Nomar Mazara. Top prospects Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert are also expected to play significant roles and be top contributors this season.

Want some action the 2020 World Series? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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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2020 World Series: MLB futures betting odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing the 2020 World Series betting odds, with MLB futures picks, tips and best bets.

Major League Baseball spring training is just around the corner so it’s time to dive into the 2020 World Series odds and make our picks and best bets for who’ll be crowned MLB champions in late October or early November. Here’s a look at four teams with a chance to overthrow the Washington Nationals and become 2020 World Series champs.

2020 World Series favorites

Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies. (Photo Credit: Jeff Curry – USA TODAY Sports)

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Atlanta Braves (+800)

The Braves won a second straight National League East crown in 2019, but both seasons ended in disappointing NLDS losses. Last year’s early exit can be blamed largely on an injury to star 1B Freddie Freeman hampering the team’s offensive output. While 3B Josh Donaldson was allowed to leave via free agency this offseason, OF Marcell Ozuna was added and bolsters the offense.

Cole Hamels was the marquee addition to the pitching staff. The veteran cements a rotation led by Mike Soroka (21 years old), Mike Foltynewicz (27) and Max Fried (25). It would be best to monitor the Braves’ odds over the first 1-2 months of the season in hopes of catching a higher number if they get off to a slow start.

New to sports betting? A $10 futures bet on the Braves to win the 2020 World Series would return a profit of $80 should the Braves win it all.

Minnesota Twins (+1400)

The Twins landed Donaldson in free agency, and add him to a group that led MLB with 307 home runs in 2019. Pitching will again be the biggest question mark for the reigning AL Central champs.

The Twins’ path to the division crown remains relatively clear. The Cleveland Indians have taken a step back following the departures of starters Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, while the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers all have a long way to go to get into contention after finishing no fewer than 28.5 games back of the Twins last year.

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2020 World Series longshots

Angels slugger Mike Trout. (Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox – USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Angels (+3300)

Mike Trout should finally return to the postseason for the first time since the 2014 ALDS, and for just the second time in the three-time MVP’s career. Offseason additions of 3B Anthony Rendon, and SPs Julio Teheran and Dylan Bundy surround him with the best supporting cast he’s had to date.

Dual-threat Shohei Ohtani will also return to full health and has been cleared to lead the pitching staff.

San Diego Padres (+4000)

The Padres stand to be one of baseball’s most improved teams this year following additions of OF Tommy Pham and INF Jurickson Profar. Young prospects Fernando Tatis Jr. and Francisco Mejia have also graduated to full-time roles and will be big factors this season.

San Diego missed out on a much-needed top-tier starter in free agency, meaning the young Chris Paddack will lead a steady stable of veterans including Garrett Richards and Zach Davies. They’re stuck in the elite NL West, but they’ll push for a wild-card spot behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Want some action the 2020 World Series? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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