Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer has been one of baseball’s more outspoken players when it comes to the Astros cheating scandal. He was among the players to accuse the Astros of using wearable buzzers to steal signs, and he’s spoken out against baseball commissioner Rob Manfred in recent weeks.
But if baseball isn’t going to find a way to eliminate sign stealing from the game, Bauer seems determined to prepare for possible cheating.
During Monday’s Cactus League game between the Reds and Dodgers, Bauer signaled his pitches to Dodgers first baseman Matt Beaty during a fourth-inning at-bat. The Reds broadcast quickly caught on to Bauer signaling the pitch with his glove — as a pitcher typically would do during between-inning warmups — and Bauer challenged Beaty to hit what was coming.
Trevor Bauer was really out there telling Matt Beaty what pitch was coming and still got him out pic.twitter.com/laZu7zwm6R
Despite intentionally giving away his pitches in advance, Bauer would get Beaty to line out to straightaway center field.
The broadcast speculated that it had something to do with the Astros cheating scandal, and Reds teammate Derek Dietrich confirmed that during an in-game interview.
— FOX Sports Cincinnati (@FOXSportsCincy) March 2, 2020
Dietrich said:
“In fact, I do. Trevor and I are good friends. If you’ve followed baseball this offseason, there’s a little thing going on with sign stealing. So, Trevor’s not too fond of it, so he figured he’s gonna try something new this season. And he’s gonna start telling the batters what’s coming. And that way there’s no ifs, ands or buts about what’s going on. Just here it comes, try to hit it.”
Bauer only signaled his pitches for that one at-bat in the fourth inning, but he did put together three innings of scoreless work.
In a conversation on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” Bauer says he believes that 70% of pitchers are still using pine tar to boost spin rates, hiding it on their gloves, hats, and belts.
In a conversation on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” Bauer says he believes that 70% of pitchers are still using pine tar to boost spin rates, hiding it on their gloves, hats, and belts.
Analyzing the Cincinnati Reds’ projected win total for the 2020 MLB season, along with their odds to win the NL Central and World Series.
The Cincinnati Reds come into the 2020 season looking to end a six-year playoff drought. Hopes are high for the Reds despite finishing fourth in the National League Central in 2019 and last the previous four seasons. Today, we focus on the Cincinnati Reds’ 2020 regular-season win totals and World Series odds. Do the Cincinnati Reds have what it takes? Let’s analyze:
Cincinnati Reds 2019 wins
The Reds are looking to improve on a 2019 campaign that was their winningest (75-87) since 2014. After winning on Opening Day, the Reds lost eight straight and were never above .500 again in 2019. The Reds had only one winning month — May when they went 15-13 — but were never in contention for the NL Central crown.
Cincinnati Reds offseason
There was a lot of moving and shaking for the Reds this offseason. They added three new bats to the lineup: five-time Japanese All-Star OF Shogo Akiyama, 2017 American League Comeback Player of the Year 2B Mike Moustakas and former DetroiNick CCt Tigers/Chicago Cubs OF Nick Castellanos. The Reds also signed free-agent and former Houston Astros LHP Wade Miley, and they should receive a full season from former All-Star RHP Trevor Bauer.
Baseball season is right around the corner! Get some action on this season with MLB futures bets at BetMGM. Bet now!
Cincinnati Reds odds to win NL Central division
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Lines last updated on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET.
I LIKE REDS +380 as a value play to steal the NL Central. First, the defending champ St. Louis Cardinals had the least wins (91) of any MLB division winner last year. Second, the Reds have four quality starting pitchers in their rotation and their fifth — Anthony DeSclafani — is coming off a respectable 2019 where he was 9-9 with a 3.89 ERA.
Cincinnati Reds World Series odds
Baby steps should be the expectation for a Reds team that hasn’t appeared in a World Series since 1990 when they swept the Oakland A’s. There would be some value if it was +6000, but their line to win the World Series is +3000, so I’ll PASS.
How many games will Cincinnati Reds win in 2020?
If the Reds can avoid injuries and have 1B Joey Votto return to his MVP-caliber form in 2020, watch out for the Reds to make a surprise run at the NL Central title. Since I like their chances of winning the division, I LOVE OVER REDS 83.5 (-115) WINS. BetMGM is trying to scare you by setting the Reds’ regular-season win total at 83.5 and pricing the Over a little higher. But we aren’t falling for it. The Reds pitching staff was top 10 in ERA, runs allowed per game and strikeouts, so when you factor in a revamped lineup, Over 83.5 wins is a relative lock.
Want some action on the MLB season or other sports? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
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.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
