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Ahead of MLB Opening Day 2020, SportsbookWire.com obtained some betting data from BetMGM pertaining to the most popular MLB futures markets. Below, we round up the MLB futures bets placed ahead of the first pitch of the 60-game season and look at some of the most interesting betting trends.
Also see: MLB Opening Day odds and betting lines
MLB futures: Dodgers being heavily bet for World Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees enter the season as 2020 World Series co-favorites at +375, as they’ve remained for much of the offseason despite neither team making it to last year’s World Series. A $10 bet at those odds would return a profit of $37.50.
Despite the relatively small return on investment and the unprecedented shortened season, the two have controlled the World Series betting market. Per BetMGM, 19.98% of the betting handle (dollars bet) has been placed on the Dodgers.
The Yankees have drawn 13.08% of the handle but a league-high 12.41% of the total bets placed. The Dodgers come in third with 8.73% of the total bets. The New York Mets (+2000) have been on 9.07% of World Series futures tickets, but they’ve received a more modest 7.98% of the money share.
Here are some of the other teams of note with their 2020 World Series odds, bet count and their share of the betting handle.
| TEAM | WORLD SERIES ODDS | BET COUNT | BETTING HANDLE |
| Houston Astros | +800 | 1.93% | 1.75% |
| Washington Nationals | +2000 | 1.86% | 1.82% |
| Minnesota Twins | +1600 | 6.17% | 8.25% |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +2000 | 2.93% | 5.79% |
| Chicago White Sox | +2500 | 4.88% | 4.77% |
| Chicago Cubs | +2500 | 5.51% | 4.13% |
| Los Angeles Angels | +4000 | 3.58% | 3.95% |
| Boston Red Sox | +3500 | 2.47% | 1.74% |
| Seattle Mariners | +50000 | 2.84% | 1.39% |
The Seattle Mariners, who finished 68-94 a year ago, seem to be the team of choice for bettors seeking a big payday in the wildly unpredictable 2020 season. A $10 bet at +50000 would return a profit of $5,000.
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MLB futures: Expectations high for White Sox
The Chicago White Sox (+2500) have been widely billed as a 2020 darkhorse in the AL Central and their World Series odds have been on a steady decline through the offseason as a result. While drawing the sixth-highest share of the betting handle there, bettors have also been all over their projected win total of 31.5 games.
As reported by BetMGM to SportsbookWire.com, 100% of wagers placed on the White Sox’s 2020 win total have been on the OVER 31.5 (-110).
Expectations are also high for the rival Kansas City Royals. Their projected win total has jumped from an opening line of 23.5 to 24.5 with 100% of wagers on the OVER (-110).
In the NL Central, 95% of wagers on the Cincinnati Reds’ projected win total of 32.5 have been on the OVER (+100).
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MLB futures: Big Apple sluggers lead MVP race
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast
Here are the most popular bets for the AL and NL MVP and Cy Young Awards:
- AL MVP: Yankees OF Giancarlo Stanton (+4000)
- NL MVP: Colorado Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado (+1600) and Mets 1B Pete Alonso (+4000)
- AL Cy Young: White Sox SP Lucas Giolito (+1600) and Astros SP Zack Greinke (+2500)
- NL Cy Young: Braves SP Mike Soroka (+3000)
Want action on 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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