Tag: MLB Futures

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.

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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 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.

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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 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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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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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.

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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 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 Milwaukee Brewers win in 2020?

Analyzing the Milwaukee Brewers’ projected win total for the 2020 MLB season, along with their odds to win the NL Central and World Series.

The Milwaukee Brewers will take aim at a third straight trip to the postseason in 2020. A return to health for OF Christian Yelich will be the biggest key after he missed the final part of the 2019 campaign, including the National League Wild Card Game against the Washington Nationals. Today, we focus on the Brewers’ 2020 regular-season win total and World Series odds. Do the Brewers have what it takes? Let’s analyze:

Milwaukee Brewers 2019 wins

The Brewers finished 2019 at 89-73 and second in the NL Central behind the St. Louis Cardinals. They lost 4-3 to the eventual World Series champion Nationals in the single-game wild-card matchup in Washington.

Milwaukee finished the regular season with a plus-3 run differential, a home record of 49-32 and a 40-41 mark on the road.

Milwaukee Brewers offseason

The Brewers’ main offseason move was the trade acquisition of 2B Luis Urias from the San Diego Padres in exchange for OF Trent Grisham. They signed free agents Eric Sogard, Justin Smoak and Avisail Garcia. The starting rotation was largely untouched and will be the biggest question heading into the season.

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Milwaukee Brewers odds to win NL West division

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1 p.m. ET.

The Brewers head into the season with the third-best odds to win the NL Central at +260. The St. Louis Cardinals (+210) remain the favorites, while the Chicago Cubs (+250) are expected to be back in the mix after a disappointing 2019 campaign. The upstart Cincinnati Reds are in the running at +380, but the Pittsburgh Pirates are heavy longshots at +6500.

The Brewers last won the division in 2018 and are a good bet in 2020 at nearly a 3-1 return on the investment after finishing just two games back of the Cards last season.

Milwaukee Brewers World Series odds

The Brewers have the second-longest odds to win the 2020 World Series among last season’s playoff teams at +2200. Only the Oakland Athletics, +2500, are viewed as bigger longshots to win it all.

It makes the Brewers a reasonable value, as teams like the Philadelphia Phillies (+1800) and New York Mets (+2000) have better odds after failing to qualify for the National League playoffs last year.

How many games will the Brewers win in 2020?

Take the OVER 83.5 (+110) at plus-money. The 2020 projection is 5.5 wins below the Brewers’ 2019 total, and they’re just two years removed from a 96-win 2018 campaign, which saw them capture the NL Central title.

Manager Craig Counsell proved to be one of the best in the game at handling pitching usage last year. Look for it to be another strength of the Brewers 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.

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 Diego Padres win in 2020?

Analyzing the San Diego Padres’ projected win total for the 2020 MLB season, along with their odds to win the NL West and World Series.

The San Diego Padres look to finally take a significant step forward in 2020 in their quest to make the MLB postseason for the first time since 2006. Manager Jayce Tingler will lead a squad flush with young, top prospects with several notable additions made over the offseason. Today, we focus on the Padres’ 2020 regular-season win total and World Series odds. Do the Padres have what it takes? Let’s analyze:

San Diego Padres 2019 wins

The Padres struggled to a 70-92 finish in 2019 after landing prized free-agent addition 3B Manny Machado last winter. They finished last in the National League West for the third time in four years and were 19 games back of the final wild-card spot in the NL. They were 36-45 at home at 34-47 on the road.

San Diego Padres offseason

The Padres open 2020 with a new-look outfield. Tommy Pham was acquired via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays and Trent Grisham joins the Friars from the Milwaukee Brewers. Wil Myers is the only returning member expected to have a starting role.

SP Zach Davis also came over from the Brewers and RP Emiliano Pagan was part of a separate trade with the Rays. INF Jurickson Profar was brought over from the Oakland Athletics.

Machado and youngsters Fernando Tatis Jr., Francisco Mejia and Ty France will be also counted on to lead the Padres to the promised land.

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

San Diego Padres odds to win NL West division

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Lines last updated at Friday at 12:20 p.m. ET.

The Padres have the third-best odds to win their division at +1200. They trail the Los Angeles Dodgers (-1000) and Arizona Diamondbacks (+1000) and are well ahead of the Colorado Rockies (+5000) and San Francisco Giants (+10000). They haven’t won the division since going back-to-back in 2005 and 2006, and they haven’t even finished second since 2010.

Leave the Dodgers be as commanding favorites in the NL West. The Padres’ best route to the postseason will be via the wild-card race.

San Diego Padres World Series odds

Pitching will be the biggest question for the Padres this season after failing to land one of the marquee No. 1 starters available in free agency this winter. They’re entering the season with +4000 odds to win the 2020 World Series, putting them on par with the division-rival Diamondbacks and ahead of the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays (+6600).

The Padres will need everything to go right for their rotation to hold up through the full season, but the offense is stacked with depth at every key position. The bullpen is another strength to begin the season and will allow Tingler to get creative with his pitcher usage. The Padres are a great value pick and bettors shouldn’t be looking at longer odds.

How many games will the Padres win in 2020?

The Padres’ win total is set at 82.5 to begin the 2020 season. The 83 wins needed to hit the Over would be their most since the aforementioned 2010 campaign when they went 90-72. Still, the OVER 82.5 (-132) is the bet to make for what should be one of MLB’s most-improved teams this season.

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 @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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