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. 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.

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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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.


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


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 CastellanosMike 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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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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