Tag: MLB World Series

The Dodgers World Series parade is on the late Fernando Valenzuela’s birthday

Expect a lot of tributes to El Toro.

The Dodgers are officially MLB World Series champions and will host a parade for the first time in franchise history since 1988.

Even though Los Angeles also won the World Series during the shortened 2020 season, the organization was not able to celebrate with its fans due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, however, everyone who wants to join the festivities will have a chance to do so in sunny Southern California.

There is a lot to look forward to about the festivities surrounding World Series MVP Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and a very strong supporting cast.

WHEN IS THE WORLD SERIES PARADE? All the info you need to know.

The parade could have an extra special feel this year, however, due to a very sad reason.

This year, Los Angeles will host its parade for the Dodgers on Friday, November 1.

That is also the birthday of the late Fernando Valenzuela, who died earlier this year. The former Dodgers star pitcher, who won NL Rookie of the Year and NL Cy Young while also making six All-Star appearances and winning two World Series titles of his own, was 63.

DODGERS WORLD SERIES COMMEMORTIVE BOOK: Order it here!

Los Angeles also wore his number, No. 34, as a patch on their jersey during the World Series as well.

Expect to see a lot of love and deserved tributes to Valenzuela, nicknamed El Toro, while you are watching the parade this year.

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Juan Soto Free Agency: Where will the Yankees star sign for 2025?

Which team is going to pay Soto potentially around $500 million? Here are some options.

One of the biggest stars in baseball is New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto, and he is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2024 MLB postseason.

The 26-year-old outfielder has played one season with the Yankees after the franchise acquired him last offseason. He played a crucial role in helping his team win the American League pennant but could become one of the biggest names available this winter.

Already a four-time MLB All-Star and a former World Series champion, the former Nationals and Padres standout will draw significant interest from front offices around the league. But where could he sign for a deal that’s potentially worth around $500 million over the next decade or so?

Outside of some of the potential sleepers (e.g. Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox) who could make some surprising magic happen, here are some of his most interesting options:

New York Yankees

The most obvious fit for Soto is to remain with his current employer and sign a long-term deal with the Yankees. He has had some postseason heroics with the organization and would keep them relevant contenders in a lineup already filled with talented player such as Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Jazz Chisholm.

New York Mets

Should he decide to leave the Yankees, another option is to remain in New York but sign with the crosstown rivals. The Mets are considered the “biggest threat” to steal Soto away from the Bronx and have him play in Queens next season instead, which would be a massive win for team owner Steve Cohen. But the big question is if the team would do this and also re-sign Pete Alonso as well.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Shocking as it sounds considering how deep their roster already looks, the Dodgers are another team that could have serious interest in Soto. This is a team willing to spend whatever it takes to make themselves a dominant force on the baseball field and they could continue that relevancy with a big splash like this one.

Washington Nationals

Another possible option for Soto is the Nationals, where he began his career and won a World Series in 2019. According to an ESPN report, Washington would reportedly “love a reunion” with Soto and perhaps the interest is even mutual. Stranger things have happened, though it could get expensive!

SOTO IN WASHINGTON: He might be happy with the Yankees, but the Nationals should bring him home

San Francisco Giants

Before he landed with the Yankees, the San Francisco Giants were one of the teams that tried to trade for Soto. There are already whispers that new Giants executive Buster Posey could try to make a move for the former NL batting champion in his first offseason leading the franchise.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies were one of the best teams in the regular season but failed to reach their expectations during the postseason. He would offer a potential remedy for Philadelphia and could have provide another strong bat in a lineup that already features Bryce Harper, who shares an agent with Soto. Their front office is expected to “strongly pursue” him when the season ends.

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David Ortiz can’t stop tormenting Derek Jeter and A-Rod over the Yankees’ World Series failures

Ortiz is TOO funny on FOX’s MLB pregame show.

FOX’s MLB panel includes host Kevin Burkhardt with former baseball legends Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter as well as David Ortiz.

Rodriguez and Jeter were famously teammates on the New York Yankees from 2004 until 2013, winning a World Series together in 2009. Ortiz, on the other hand, played for New York’s biggest rival on the Boston Red Sox.

He is a three-time World Series champion who famously helped pull off one of the biggest upsets in sports history when Boston miraculously came back from a 3-0 deficit in the 2004 ALCS.

Ortiz hilariously continues to be a thorn in the side of Rodriguez and Jeter on FOX’s broadcast. Just watch his reaction to when the Yankees lost Game 3 of the 2024 MLB World Series against the Dodgers on Monday:

This is not the first time fans have seen this hilarious energy from Ortiz, though.

Earlier in the series, after Ice Cube performed before a Dodgers victory in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium, Ortiz declared it was a “good day” because the Yankees lost.

Ortiz recently said he has tremendous “respect” for the Yankees and their fanbase.

But his ability to poke fun at Rodriguez and Jeter for their former team coming up short so far in the series is legitimately very funny to watch.

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Will Shohei Ohtani play in World Series Game 3? What we know before first pitch vs. the Yankees

This was a SCARY moment, but it looks like Ohtani is OK.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani unfortunately got hurt during Game 2 of the 2024 MLB World Series.

Ohtani left the game after injuring his left shoulder on a failed stolen base attempt at Dodger Stadium before securing a victory against the Yankees on Saturday evening in Los Angeles. This was a nightmare scenario for baseball fans everywhere as Ohtani is the biggest and brightest star in the sport right now.

While it was initially unclear if Ohtani would miss time after the scary moment, there was some optimism from the organization.

SHOHEI OHTANI: Everything we know about the Dodgers star’s World Series status.

It seemed like Ohtani immediately knew his shoulder popped out on the stolen base attempt, which is unpleasant but not too big of a concern for his availability.

The good news is that Ohtani was cleared to play in Game 3, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Then on Monday before game time, Ohtani was officially added to the Dodgers’ Game 3 lineup.

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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)

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

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. JosĂ© BerrĂ­os 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.

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 White Sox win in 2020?

Analyzing Chicago White Sox projected wins for the 2020 MLB season.

For a team that finished 17 games under .500 in 2019, the Chicago White Sox have a lot of positive buzz heading into spring training. They undertook a three-year roster rebuild that started in 2017 and there is a growing sentiment that with the investment they made in the offseason, they’re ready to make an upward move toward the Indians and Twins in the A.L. Central.

Chicago White Sox 2019 wins

The White Sox won 72 games last year, but were hovering around .500 for the first three months of the season before collapsing in July (7-17). They finished 26-30 beginning on Aug. 1 and showed resilience as their young core players didn’t fade down the stretch.

Chicago White Sox offseason

The White Sox increased their payroll by $50 million a year with the signing of LHP Dallas Keuchel, C Yasmani Grandal and DH Edwin Encarnacion. Throw in a trade with Texas to acquire OF Nomar Mazara and the White Sox added a lot of talent without gutting the current roster or the farm system. This doesn’t look like a team that is in rebuild mode anymore.

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

Chicago White Sox odds to win A.L. Central Division

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

The White Sox are getting a lot of respect from the oddsmakers at BetMGM at +350 and, in our view, Chicago has the talent to jump past Cleveland. But the Twins are going to suffer a collapse for the White Sox to catch them because Minnesota has added even more power to a team that set the Major League record for home runs last season. Chicago is four deep in the rotation with Lucas Giolito, Keuchel, Reynaldo Lopez and Gio Gonzalez. The number here doesn’t give the return some think it should, so a small bet would make sense here because if Minnesota takes a backward step, 90-92 wins could put Chicago in position to contend.

Chicago White Sox World Series odds

At +3300, the Sox are getting nice return, but it will be gauntlet to get out of the American League, especially as a wild card. Even if they beat out the Twins in the A.L. Central, there are still the Astros and Yankees to contend with in the postseason. They went 14-19 against those three teams last season. PLACE A SMALL WAGER ON THE SOX and package it with a couple of other mid-level long shots and take your chances. Next year, this number will likely be much lower.

How many games will Chicago White Sox win in 2020?

The combination of starting pitcher depth, having three switch-hitters in the starting lineup, employing the defending AL batting champion (Tim Anderson), and adding veteran leadership in Grandal and Encarnacion is enticing. Throw in 34 games with the struggling Royals and Tigers and Chicago could start banking wins like Minnesota and Cleveland have. My over/under for Chicago is 88.5, so I’m all over their BetMGM number of 83.5 (Over -139 / Under +115). Currently bettors have to invest more (-139) in the over for the Sox than any team in MLB. It’s for a valid reason. TAKE THE OVER.

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.

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: MLB futures betting odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing the 2020 World Series betting odds, with MLB futures picks, tips and best bets.

Major League Baseball spring training is just around the corner so it’s time to dive into the 2020 World Series odds and make our picks and best bets for who’ll be crowned MLB champions in late October or early November. Here’s a look at four teams with a chance to overthrow the Washington Nationals and become 2020 World Series champs.

2020 World Series favorites

Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies. (Photo Credit: Jeff Curry – USA TODAY Sports)

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Atlanta Braves (+800)

The Braves won a second straight National League East crown in 2019, but both seasons ended in disappointing NLDS losses. Last year’s early exit can be blamed largely on an injury to star 1B Freddie Freeman hampering the team’s offensive output. While 3B Josh Donaldson was allowed to leave via free agency this offseason, OF Marcell Ozuna was added and bolsters the offense.

Cole Hamels was the marquee addition to the pitching staff. The veteran cements a rotation led by Mike Soroka (21 years old), Mike Foltynewicz (27) and Max Fried (25). It would be best to monitor the Braves’ odds over the first 1-2 months of the season in hopes of catching a higher number if they get off to a slow start.

New to sports betting? A $10 futures bet on the Braves to win the 2020 World Series would return a profit of $80 should the Braves win it all.

Minnesota Twins (+1400)

The Twins landed Donaldson in free agency, and add him to a group that led MLB with 307 home runs in 2019. Pitching will again be the biggest question mark for the reigning AL Central champs.

The Twins’ path to the division crown remains relatively clear. The Cleveland Indians have taken a step back following the departures of starters Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, while the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers all have a long way to go to get into contention after finishing no fewer than 28.5 games back of the Twins last year.

Place a sports bet on the 2020 World Series winner at BetMGM.

2020 World Series longshots

Angels slugger Mike Trout. (Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox – USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Angels (+3300)

Mike Trout should finally return to the postseason for the first time since the 2014 ALDS, and for just the second time in the three-time MVP’s career. Offseason additions of 3B Anthony Rendon, and SPs Julio Teheran and Dylan Bundy surround him with the best supporting cast he’s had to date.

Dual-threat Shohei Ohtani will also return to full health and has been cleared to lead the pitching staff.

San Diego Padres (+4000)

The Padres stand to be one of baseball’s most improved teams this year following additions of OF Tommy Pham and INF Jurickson Profar. Young prospects Fernando Tatis Jr. and Francisco Mejia have also graduated to full-time roles and will be big factors this season.

San Diego missed out on a much-needed top-tier starter in free agency, meaning the young Chris Paddack will lead a steady stable of veterans including Garrett Richards and Zach Davies. They’re stuck in the elite NL West, but they’ll push for a wild-card spot behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Want some action the 2020 World Series? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @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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