Tag: MLB Futures Bets

2020 MLB Futures Odds: How many games will the St. Louis Cardinals win?

Looking at 2020 MLB futures odds for how many games the St. Louis Cardinals will win in the 60-game MLB season.

How many games will the St. Louis Cardinals win in the 60-game 2020 MLB season? We look at the Cardinals‘ MLB futures odds, including their projected 2020 win total and Over/Under odds at BetMGM, and make our best bet.

St. Louis Cardinals’ 2019 recap

The Cardinals won the NL Central last season, going 91-71 in the regular season. The went the distance in their NL Division Series, beating the Atlanta Braves in five games, but were swept in four by the eventual world champion Washington Nationals in the NL Championship Series.

Including the playoffs, St. Louis finished 90-81 against the run line, while UNDER bettors cashed in on the Cards’ 74-88-9 Over/Under mark.

St. Louis Cardinals’ offseason

The Cardinals re-signed P Adam Wainwright and C Matt Wieters.  They added P Kwang Hyun Kim from Korea. They lost OF Marcell Ozuna, who signed a one-year, $18 million free-agent deal with the Braves.

St. Louis Cardinals’ 2020 schedule

With this unique 60-game regular season, the Cardinals will play 40 games against their NL Central rivals – 10 games vs. each – and 20 games total vs. the five AL Central clubs.

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!

How many games will the St. Louis Cardinals win in 2020?

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, July 2 at 7:20 a.m. ET.

The Cardinals’ O/U win total is set at 32.5 with both the Over and Under carrying -110 odds. They did not significantly improve in the offseason, but are consistently in the mix every year. The rotation is solid, but the offense needs to get better – they ranked 10th in runs (764), 11th in RBIs (714) and 12th in homers (210) in the NL last season.

Again, they won 91 games last year – that equates to 33 to 34 wins in a 60-game season. Lean towards the OVER (-110) of 32.5 wins for the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals’ World Series odds

The Cardinals are not one of the favorites entering the truncated season. They are grouped together with seven other teams at +2500. While they are a solid pick for the playoffs, they have too many weaknesses to take it the distance.

St. Louis Cardinals’ playoff odds

St. Louis is one of several middle-tier teams with odds to make it to the World Series at +1200, joining the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and Phillies Phillies with the same odds to win the NL. With the Los Angeles Dodgers absolutely loaded and the Nationals and Braves both looking good, AVOID betting the Cardinals to win the pennant. However, with +240 odds to win their division, same as the Cubs, that’s a bet to take.

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 Futures Odds: How many games will the Los Angeles Dodgers win?

Looking at 2020 MLB futures odds for how many games the Los Angeles Dodgers will win in the 60-game MLB season.

How many games will the Los Angeles Dodgers win in the 60-game 2020 MLB season? We look at the Dodgers’ MLB futures odds, including their projected 2020 win total and Over/Under odds at BetMGM, and make our best bet.

Los Angeles Dodgers 2019 recap

The 2019 Dodgers went 106-56 (.654), winning the National League West by a whopping 21 games. LA’s record – a mark buoyed by a 59-22 performance at home – was the best in the NL. But the Dodgers’ season ended in disappointment, falling to the Washington Nationals in a deciding Game 5 of an NL Division Series.

The top-notch record was a supportable one – the Dodgers averaged 5.5 runs per game while allowing just 3.8. Los Angeles was remarkably consistent playing over-.600 baseball in five of six months during the season. The Dodgers were often an expensive proposition on sides, and bettors were nonetheless rewarded at a handsome clip. LA went a robust 35-9 (+11.4% ROI) when tagged with a price of -200 or more.

Los Angeles Dodgers offseason

Gone are starting pitchers Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda, who combined for 15 quality starts a year ago. But fresh faces in Dodger Blue this year include OF Mookie Betts (30.6 WAR over the last four years), SP David Price (xFIP under 4.00 over last 68G) and RP Blake Treinen (2.31 ERA over 156 IP in 2017-18, struggled in 2019).

Los Angeles Dodgers 2020 schedule

LA’s 2020 schedule will include 40 games against NL West Division foes and 20 games vs. the AL West. Five of the Dodgers’ nine road trips will be within 400 miles of Chavez Ravine.

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

How many games will the Los Angeles Dodgers win in 2020?

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, July 1 at 12:10 p.m. ET.

The Dodgers Over/Under win total is tabbed as a 37.5 with the Over carrying -143 odds and the Under at +120. Figuring the team’s strength of schedule and its strength as an organization at all levels (a big key in 2020), 38-PLUS WINS IS A SOLID PLAY. A price closer to -135 makes it a value play.

Los Angeles Dodgers World Series odds

The Dodgers are the favorite to win the World Series with odds of +350 – the New York Yankees are next in the line and the AL favorite at +400). The Dodgers’ +350 is a fair price – not a ton of value, but one worthy of inclusion in a field if you’re inclined to go that way.

Los Angeles Dodgers playoff odds

LA is a heavy favorite (-667) to win the NL West. Talking yourself into any other West price is difficult, so -667 may indeed be a plus.

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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2020 MLB Futures Odds: How many games will the Washington Nationals win?

Looking at 2020 MLB futures odds for how many games the Washington Nationals will win in the 60-game MLB season.

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How many games will the Washington Nationals win in the 60-game 2020 MLB season? We look at the Nationals’ MLB futures betting odds, including their projected 2020 win total and Over/Under odds at BetMGM, and make our best bet.

Washington Nationals 2019 recap

The Nationals snuck into the 2019 postseason at 93-69 as the first National League wild-card team. They went on to win the World Series in seven games over the heavily-favored Houston Astros. They ranked sixth in all of baseball with 873 runs scored in the regular season. The aggregate 3.53 ERA from their starting pitchers ranked second to only the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Nats went 84-83-12 against the Over/Under for bettors last season, including the postseason. Their 102-77 combined record against the run line was the second-best cover percentage at 57 percent.

Washington Nationals offseason

The Nationals lost arguably their best batter for the second offseason in a row, as 3B Anthony Rendon left via free agency to join the Los Angeles Angels. 2B Starlin Castro and 1B Eric Thames signed as free agents. RP Will Harris was signed to bolster a bullpen that was an obvious weakness in 2019.

1B Ryan Zimmerman and P Joe Ross, per USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale, have decided not to take part in the season.

Also see:

Washington Nationals 2020 schedule

The Nationals’ 60-game schedule will include 40 games against NL East opponents, which Washington went 44-32 against last season. The division will be strong in 2020, with the Atlanta Braves remaining the top contender and all three of the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins set to improve on disappointing season.

The Nats will also play 20 games against the American League East. The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays are the top contenders, there, while the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles present win opportunities.

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!

How many games will the Washington Nationals win in 2020?

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, July 1 at 11:30 a.m. ET.

The Nationals’ 2020 win total is set at 33.5 with -110 odds on both the Over and Under. The OVER (-110) is the play at a conservative line for the World Series champs. The rotation remains one of the best in baseball, and the likes of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin will be leaned on heavily in the abbreviated season.

Washington Nationals World Series odds

Washington is +2000 to win the 2020 World Series. It shares the sixth-best overall odds with the Tampa Bay Rays, while trailing only the Braves (+1400) among NL East teams. It is well worth a bet with a $10 investment returning a profit of $200.

Washington Nationals playoff odds

Following suit of the World Series odds, the Nationals trail only the Braves (+180) in the odds to win the NL East at +240. This is worth another wager, as the champs have had an extended period to recover from their World Series hangover and won’t face the added pressure of opposing fans.

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

Follow @EstenMcLaren 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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2020 MLB Futures Odds: How many games will the New York Yankees win?

Looking at 2020 MLB futures odds for how many games the New York Yankees will win in the 60-game MLB season.

How many games will the New York Yankees win in the 60-game 2020 MLB season? We look at the Yankees’ MLB futures odds, including their projected 2020 win total and Over/Under odds at BetMGM, and make our best bet.

New York Yankees 2019 recap

The 2019 Yankees played .636 baseball, going 103-59 en route to capturing the American League East flag by seven games (over the Tampa Bay Rays). The Bronx Bombers were the No. 2 seed in the AL Playoffs, eventually losing in a six-game AL Championship Series against the top-seeded Houston Astros. New York averaged an MLB-best 5.8 runs per game while allowing 4.56 runs per game.

Looking at some notable splits, the Yankees went 32-16 in games decided by five or more runs … 18-19 in one-run games … 38-22 over their first 60 games and 54-22 against AL East foes. The Over went 88-77-6 in Yankees games; that figure was buoyed by a 48-31-4 O/U record on the road.

New York Yankees offseason

New York lost reliever Dellin Betances to the New York Mets in free agency and starter CC Sabathia retired. Also gone are SS Didi Gregorius and DH Edwin Encarnacion.

The biggest plus on the addition side is right-handed starter Gerrit Cole, who will anchor a rotation with question marks and without RHP Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery). Other welcome “additions” would be healthy returns to action by the likes of OF Aaron Hicks (59 games in 2019), OF Giancarlo Stanton (18), OF Aaron Judge (102), and 1B Luke Voit (118).

New York Yankees 2020 schedule

The Yankees are slated to play in an all-East regional format, with the team playing each AL East foe 10 times — for a total of 40 games — and the remaining 20 games coming against NL East opponents. Looking at last year’s 54-22 divisional mark and taking away what were some lackluster trips to the Midwest and West Coast, the abbreviated “COVID-19 schedule” seems to set up well for New York.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM. Bet now!

How many games will the New York Yankees win in 2020?

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, July 1 at 10:15 a.m. ET.

The Yankees O/U win total is tabbed at 37.5 with both the Over and Under carrying -110 odds. There isn’t a ton of upside value in the OVER play, but there’s enough there to include New York in a parlay of 4-5 teams.

New York Yankees World Series odds

New York is tabbed at +400 to win the Series. That’s a solid play for an organization with a ton of depth in a year where the 26th man (and perhaps the 46th man) will come into play more than any other.

New York Yankees playoff odds

The Yankees are listed at -323 to win the AL East. The win total and World Series odds have better value.

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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Updated 2020 MLB World Series winner odds

Updating each MLB team’s sports betting odds around winning the 2020 World Series.

While the start of the 2020 MLB season has been delayed, we look forward to the day baseball – and all sports, for that matter – return. Despite the delay, it doesn’t stop us from looking into the future at which teams the oddsmakers forecast as having the best shot at winning this season’s championship.

Updated 2020 MLB World Series Odds

Odds via BetMGM, last updated March 31 at 3 p.m. ET.

New York Yankees +350 (unchanged)

Los Angeles Dodgers +380 (was +400)

Houston Astros +700 (was +550)

Atlanta Braves +1,100 (unchanged)

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 go on to win this season’s World Series.

Minnesota Twins +1,600 (was +1,400)

Washington Nationals +1,600 (was +1,400)

St. Louis Cardinals +2,000 (was +1,400)

Tampa Rays +2,000 (was +1,800)

New York Mets +2,500 (was +2,000)

Oakland Athletics +2,500 (unchanged)

Philadelphia Phillies +2,500 (was +1,800)

Chicago Cubs +3,000 (was +2,200)

Cincinnati Reds +3,000 (unchanged)

Cleveland Indians +3,000 (was +2,200)

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Boston Red Sox +3,500 (was +2,500)

Chicago White Sox +3,500 (was +3,300)

Los Angeles Angels +3,500 (was +3,300)

Milwaukee Brewers +3,500 (was +2,200)

Arizona Diamondbacks +5,000 (was +4,000)

San Diego Padres +5,000 (was +4,000)

Texas Rangers +8,000 (was +6,600)

Toronto Blue Jays +10,000 (was +6,600)

Colorado Rockies +30,000 (was +15,000)

Baltimore Orioles +50,000 (was +100,000)

Detroit Tigers +50,000 (was +100,000)

Kansas City Royals +50,000 (was +100,000)

Miami Marlins +50,000 (was +100,000)

Pittsburgh Pirates +50,000 (was +25,000)

San Francisco Giants +50,000 (was +25,000)

Seattle Mariners +50,000 (was +25,000)

Want to get some action on MLB World Series future betting? Do you have what it takes to pick this season’s winner before the season even starts. Place legal sports bets online at BetMGM.

For more sports betting tips across all sports? Visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @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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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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Updated 2020 MLB World Series winner odds: New York Yankees remain the team to beat

Looking at each MLB team’s 2020 World Series odds with the MLB season less than a month away.

Welcome to March, as we count down the days to Opening Day of the 2020 MLB season.

With thoughts of this fall’s World Series in the minds of all of the MLB teams — OK, maybe some of them don’t have a chance — we focus on the latest 2020 World Series odds and which teams are most likely in the eyes of the oddsmakers to be this year’s champion.

Updated 2020 MLB World Series Odds

Odds via BetMGM, last updated March 2 at 2 p.m. ET.

New York Yankees +350

Los Angeles Dodgers +400

Houston Astros +550

Atlanta Braves +1,100

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 go on to win this season’s World Series.

Minnesota Twins +1,400

St. Louis Cardinals +1,400

Washington Nationals +1,400

Philadelphia Phillies +1,800

Tampa Rays +1,800

New York Mets +2,000

Chicago Cubs +2,200

Cleveland Indians +2,200

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Milwaukee Brewers +2,200

Boston Red Sox +2,500

Oakland Athletics +2,500

Cincinnati Reds +3,000

Chicago White Sox +3,300

Los Angeles Angels +3,300

Arizona Diamondbacks +4,000

San Diego Padres +4,000

Texas Rangers +6,600

Toronto Blue Jays +6,600

Colorado Rockies +15,000

Pittsburgh Pirates +25,000

San Francisco Giants +25,000

Seattle Mariners +25,000

Baltimore Orioles +100,000

Detroit Tigers +100,000

Kansas City Royals +100,000

Miami Marlins +100,000

Want to get some action on MLB World Series future betting? Do you have what it takes to pick this season’s winner before the season even starts. Place legal sports bets online at BetMGM.

For more sports betting tips across all sports? 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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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 Washington Nationals win in 2020?

Analyzing the Washington Nationals’ projected win total for the 2020 MLB season, along with their odds to win the NL East and World Series.

The Washington Nationals prepare to defend their 2019 World Series title in 2020. Today, we focus on the Nationals’ 2020 regular-season win total and World Series odds. Do the Nationals have what it takes to repeat this season? Let’s analyze:

Washington Nationals 2019 wins

The Nationals finished second in the National League East behind the Atlanta Braves last season. They went 93-69 in the regular season and made the playoffs as a wild-card team. Their miraculous postseason run then started with a 4-3 home win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Game. The Nats went 50-31 at home and 43-38 on the road and finished the regular season with a plus-149 run differential for the second-best split in the NL.

Washington Nationals offseason

The Nationals chose SP Stephen Strasburg over 3B Anthony Rendon in free agency, allowing the latter to sign with the Los Angeles Angels while Stras re-upped on a seven-year, $245 million contract. 1B Eric Thames was brought in as a free-agent addition. Asdrubal Cabrera is expected to start the season as the everyday third baseman in place of Rendon. Starlin Castro is expected to split time with veteran Howie Kendrick at second base.

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

Washington Nationals odds to win NL East division

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

The Nationals are the second favorite in the NL East at +250. They trail the defending division champion Braves (+190) and lead the Philadelphia Phillies (+310), New York Mets (+330) and Miami Marlins (+25000) in what’s expected to be one of baseball’s tightest divisions. They’re a fine pick to win the NL East with the Braves remaining fairly heavy favorites following the disappointing end to their 2019 season.

Washington Nationals World Series odds

The Nats share the fifth-best odds to win the 2020 World Series at +1400.

They once again trail the Braves (+1100), and the New York Yankees (+350), Los Angeles Dodgers (+400) and Houston Astros (+550). They share odds with the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals and are just ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays (+1900).

The Nationals retain one of baseball’s best starting rotations. The offense takes a hit with Rendon leaving town, but Thames offers power and the ability to get on base. Youngsters Trea Turner, Juan Soto and Victor Robles should continue to improve. Washington is a good value as the defending champion.

How many games will the Nationals win in 2020?

The Nationals’ win total is set at 89.5. It represents a drop in 3.5 victories from 2019’s 93 wins. Washington has topped this 2020 projection in three of the last four years, but the UNDER 89.5 (+100) is the side to back with stronger seasons expected for the Phillies and Mets.

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