The MLB season is almost here and Charles Curtis has some bold predictions for the 60-game season.
MLB 2020: Bold predictions for the 60-game season
The MLB season is almost here and Charles Curtis has some bold predictions for the 60-game season.
Tag: MLB 2020
Breaking down the details of the 2020 MLB season
Charles Curtis breaks down some of the details of the 2020 MLB season that’s set to start in July.
Charles Curtis breaks down some of the details of the 2020 MLB season that’s set to start in July.
The winners and losers of MLB returning to play
The winners and losers of MLB returning to play.
Winners:
Baseball fans, You got yourself a season, everyone!.
Losers:
Owners and players, It’s not a great start to what will likely be extremely tough negotiations after the CBA expires in 2021.
Winners:
Houston Astros, They don’t have to hear fans ripping them every game over the cheating scandal that rocked the sport.
Losers:
Starting pitchers, The pressure is on to produce because every start counts tenfold more than it used to.
Winners:
Teams that aren’t great on paper, This is going to be a sprint to the postseason and ANYTHING can happen with such a small sample size of games.
Losers:
Contenders, It’s a much more even playing field now
The winners and losers of MLB returning to play.
Winners:
Baseball fans, You got yourself a season, everyone!.
Losers:
Owners and players, It’s not a great start to what will likely be extremely tough negotiations after the CBA expires in 2021.
Winners:
Houston Astros, They don’t have to hear fans ripping them every game over the cheating scandal that rocked the sport.
Losers:
Starting pitchers, The pressure is on to produce because every start counts tenfold more than it used to.
Winners:
Teams that aren’t great on paper, This is going to be a sprint to the postseason and ANYTHING can happen with such a small sample size of games.
Losers:
Contenders, It’s a much more even playing field now
The winners and losers of MLB returning to play
The winners and losers of MLB returning to play.
Winners:
Baseball fans, You got yourself a season, everyone!.
Losers:
Owners and players, It’s not a great start to what will likely be extremely tough negotiations after the CBA expires in 2021.
Winners:
Houston Astros, They don’t have to hear fans ripping them every game over the cheating scandal that rocked the sport.
Losers:
Starting pitchers, The pressure is on to produce because every start counts tenfold more than it used to.
Winners:
Teams that aren’t great on paper, This is going to be a sprint to the postseason and ANYTHING can happen with such a small sample size of games.
Losers:
Contenders, It’s a much more even playing field now
The winners and losers of MLB returning to play.
Winners:
Baseball fans, You got yourself a season, everyone!.
Losers:
Owners and players, It’s not a great start to what will likely be extremely tough negotiations after the CBA expires in 2021.
Winners:
Houston Astros, They don’t have to hear fans ripping them every game over the cheating scandal that rocked the sport.
Losers:
Starting pitchers, The pressure is on to produce because every start counts tenfold more than it used to.
Winners:
Teams that aren’t great on paper, This is going to be a sprint to the postseason and ANYTHING can happen with such a small sample size of games.
Losers:
Contenders, It’s a much more even playing field now
2020 MLB season: Why a 50-game season is a bad idea
Charles Curtis explains why a 50-game season is a bad idea for MLB
Charles Curtis explains why a 50-game season is a bad idea for MLB
Notre Dame’s Five First Round MLB Draft Picks
Notre Dame isn’t known to be a baseball powerhouse but has had it’s share of big-time prospects. Here are their all-time first round picks.
As you’re all well aware, no sports of late leaves us craving anything that has to do with sports. That meant some people spent Wednesday night watching the MLB Draft, something some probably never would have considered doing previously.
No Notre Dame players were selected, not that any were expected to be, but Notre Dame has had a handful of baseball players have their names called in the first round of the MLB Draft before.
Before I tell you who, can you guess any of the five?
First – the third catcher ever drafted…
MLB Futures Betting: 2020 AL MVP odds, picks and best bets
Analyzing the baseball futures odds to be crowned the 2020 AL MVP, with MLB betting picks, tips and best bets.
The American League’s Most Valuable Player award will once again go through Los Angeles Angels OF Mike Trout, who has won the award three of the last six seasons. He’ll have some added competition this year following a busy MLB offseason. Here, we assess the MLB futures odds to win the 2020 AL MVP, with picks, tips and best bets.
2020 AL MVP Bets: Favorites
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, March 8 at 6 p.m. ET.
Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels (+150)
Trout is heavily favored to successfully defend his 2019 AL MVP crown. The Angels’ offseason signing of 3B Anthony Rendon helps surround Trout with the best supporting cast he’s had to date. L.A. has its sights set on its first postseason berth since 2014, and Trout will be able to add that MVP credential which has eluded him each of his last two award-winning seasons.
Baseball season is right around the corner! Get some action on this season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM. Bet now!
Gleyber Torres, 2B, New York Yankees (+2500)
The Yankees are stacked with MVP candidates. OF Aaron Judge leads the group with +900 odds to rank second to Trout. 2B DJ LeMahieu (+4000), OF Giancarlo Stanton (+4000) and SP Gerrit Cole (+5000) are also able to win the award with their respective talents. The two outfielders both have injury concerns after missing a solid chunk of last season, however, while Torres has played 267 games over the last two seasons.
2020 AL MVP Bets: Contenders
Yasmani Grandal, C, Chicago White Sox (+5000)
Grandal was named an All-Star last season during his one-year stint with the Milwaukee Brewers. He helped get the best out of a patchwork starting rotation while hitting a career-high 28 home runs. His defense and offense will have plenty of room to shine on a White Sox club with high hopes in 2020. He’ll once again need to be a steady presence behind the plate to maximize the efforts of a young pitching staff.
Matt Olson, 1B, Oakland Athletics (+8000)
Olson excelled in the second half of last season with a .282 batting average, 17 home runs and 53 RBI across the final 69 games. The A’s will again be in playoff contention this season, and Olson will garner added attention down the stretch.
2020 AL MVP Bets: Long shots
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Austin Meadows, OF, Tampa Bay Rays (+12500)
Meadows hit 21 homers over his final 67 games of 2019 to finish the year with 33. He also stole 12 bases and slashed .291/.364/.558. The Rays are the No. 2 contenders in the AL East, behind the Yankees, and Meadows will get plenty of credit if the Rays can somehow overcome New York to win the division.
Alex Verdugo, OF, Boston Red Sox (+15000)
Verdugo hit 12 home runs and stole four bases over 106 MLB games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. He’ll have a spotlight on him all season as the key replacement for former Red Sox MVP OF Mookie Betts. He’d be a darling in the eyes of voters if he can keep the Red Sox in playoff contention following the much-criticized trade.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Verdugo to be named AL MVP at the end of the season would return a profit of $1,500.
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 Minnesota Twins win in 2020?
Analyzing the Minnesota Twins’ projected win total for the 2020 MLB season, along with their odds to win the AL Central and World Series.
The Minnesota Twins come back in 2020 after a highly successful 2019 season that ended with another postseason series loss to the New York Yankees. Today, we focus on the Twins’ 2020 regular-season win totals and World Series odds. Do the Twins have what it takes? Let’s analyze:
Minnesota Twins 2019 wins
Minnesota was great in 2019, winning 101 games and finishing atop the American League Central by eight games. They were No. 2 in the American League in runs and hits, and they were No. 1 in total bases and home runs. They failed to win any playoff games, as they were swept in three games by the Yankees in the divisional series.
Minnesota Twins offseason
Minnesota added to its already potent offense by signing 3B Josh Donaldson in free agency. He hit 37 homers and drove in 94 runs last season for the Atlanta Braves. The Twins also added catcher C Alex Avila, which will help with their starting rotation, as he manages a rotation well and plays very good defense. They traded for starting pitcher Kenta Maeda and signed Homer Bailey and Rich Hill to bolster the rotation, as well. RPs Tyler Clippard and Sergio Romo were added to the bullpen.
Baseball season is right around the corner! Get some action on this season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM. Bet now!
Minnesota Twins odds to win AL Central division
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Lines last updated at Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 10:40 a.m. ET.
The Twins are the odds-on favorites to win the Central Division at -145. The Cleveland Indians are next at +250 and Chicago White Sox at +350. The Kansas City Royals (+15000) and Detroit Tigers (+25000) are huge longshots.
Minnesota Twins World Series odds
Minnesota is among the favorites to win the World Series. The favorites are the New York Yankees at +350, the Los Angeles Dodgers at +400 and the Houston Astros at +550. The Twins are in the next tier at +1400, the same as the St. Louis Cardinals and world champion Washington Nationals.
How many games will the Twins win in 2020?
The Twins, despite winning 101 games in 2019, have a very reasonable win total for 2020. It is 91.5, allowing for a nine-game drop to still hit the Over. They bolstered their rotation and will continue to have a dangerous lineup. With two doormats in the division in the Royals and Tigers, they will be able to pile up wins in divisional games. They are still the clear favorites to win the division and getting over 90 wins is a lock. This seems like as sure a bet as there is among MLB teams. Take the OVER 91.5 (-110).
Want some action on the MLB season or other sports? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @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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How many games will the Pittsburgh Pirates win in 2020?
Analyzing the Pittsburgh Pirates’ projected win total for the 2020 MLB season, along with their odds to win the NL Central and World Series.
The Pittsburgh Pirates went 69-93 in 2019, finishing in the basement of the National League’s Central Division. Today, we focus on Pittsburgh’s 2020 regular-season win total and World Series odds. Do the Pirates have what it takes? Let’s analyze:
Pittsburgh Pirates 2019 wins
It’s easy to forget Pittsburgh was just one game under .500 (44-45) when the All-Star break hit last season. Through the end of May, the Pirates had a 4.88 team ERA, a .709 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage), and a 28-28 record. The pitching went sideways, and Pittsburgh went 4-12 from June 1-18. The Pirates would rally, going 12-5 over their last 17 games before the break, but the Bucs came out of the break losing four straight and 15 of 17 games, and that spelled the beginning of the end. The Pirates would finish 23 games under .500 (25-48) while registering a 5.51 ERA in the second half.
Pittsburgh Pirates offseason
The off-season has involved management change with Neal Huntington out and Ben Cherington in as general manager; Clint Hurdle is out, Derek Shelton is in as manager. OF Starling Marte was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks for prospects. It all spells a renewed commitment to rebuilding in Steel City.
Baseball season is right around the corner! Get some action on this season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM. Bet now!
Pittsburgh Pirates odds to win the NL Central
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Lines last updated at Monday, Feb. 17 at 4:20 p.m. ET.
The Pirates are +6500 to win the NL Central. The division odds boil down four teams from +200 to +400 … break … break …and then the Pirates. The play on Pittdsburgh winning the division isn’t advisable as there are too many real contenders to leapfrog and Pittsburgh doesn’t figure to be in spending mode to be competitive. The Pirates are expected to enter the season with a $69 million payroll. Only the Baltimore Orioles, at $65 million, are in line to have a lower figure.
Pittsburgh Pirates World Series odds
The Pirates’ +25000 odds put them in a group with the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants at around the 25th or 26th choice among all 30 teams.
How many games will the Pirates win in 2020?
The Pirates head into the season with a projected win total of 69.5. Take the Under (-110). A new regime is set to take an approach through the draft and international free agency (the 16-year-old end, not the established Pacific Rim pitching end). A bit of a moderate-level arms race could pick up in the Central, further marginalizing the Pirates from the “core four” of the division.
Want some action on the MLB season or other sports? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @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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How many games will the Chicago Cubs win in 2020?
Analyzing the Chicago Cubs’ projected win total for the 2020 MLB season, along with their odds to win the NL Central and World Series.
The Chicago Cubs had made the postseason four years in a row prior to the 2019 season. They went just 84-78 last year and finished third in the National League Central. They’ll try to bounce back and make the playoffs in 2020, but they’re not the powerhouse they were a few years ago. Today, we focus on the Cubs’ 2020 regular-season win total and World Series odds. Does Chicago have what it takes? Let’s analyze:
Chicago Cubs 2019 wins
The Cubs finished in the top 10 in runs scored and team ERA last season, but a late-season collapse doomed them in the playoff race. They finished the year 2-10 in their last 12 games, and not long thereafter, Joe Maddon was fired as the team’s manager. With a loaded lineup led by Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs were a huge disappointment in 2019.
Chicago Cubs offseason
The biggest change made by the Cubs this offseason was the hiring of David Ross to replace Maddon as manager. Otherwise, the roster doesn’t look all that different than it did in 2019. Bryant is still in Chicago despite trade rumors, as are Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Javier Baez and Jason Heyward. Steven Souza was also signed in free agency and Jason Kipnis inked a minor-league deal.
The bullpen was the focus of the offseason for the Cubs, as they added Dan Winkler, Casey Sadler and Jeremy Jeffress in free agency or trades.
Baseball season is right around the corner! Get some action on this season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM. Bet now!
Chicago Cubs odds to win NL Central division
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Lines last updated on Monday, Feb. 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The Cubs are the second-favorites to win the division, coming in at +250. The St. Louis Cardinals have the best odds at +210, while the Milwaukee Brewers are +260 and the Cincinnati Reds +380. In other words, it’s going to be a highly competitive race in the NL Central.
Chicago Cubs World Series odds
The Cubs are tied for the eighth-best odds to win the World Series this season at +2200 – behind the Cardinals (+1400) but tied with the Brewers. The Cubs need their rotation to come through if they are to be the last team standing, boasting names such as Yu Darvish, Jose Quintana and Kyle Hendricks.
How many games will the Cubs win in 2020?
The Over/Under for the Cubs’ win total is 86.5. They won at least 92 games each year from 2015-2018, but finished only 84-78 last season. It’s reasonable to expect the Cubs to go Over that total and make it back to the playoffs, especially if Darvish can stay healthy and lead the rotation.
Bet the OVER 86.5 (+105) with the plus-money. Chicago will be better than it was last season and has a great chance to win the division.
Want some action on the MLB season or other sports? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @camdasilva 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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