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The 2020 MLB season is reportedly set to start Thursday, July 23, with the official Opening Day set for July 24, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. The abbreviated 60-game season will leave teams with little room for error and helps level the competitive playing field. Below, we’ll look at the MLB futures odds and make our picks and best bets to win the 2020 World Series.
2020 World Series best bets
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, July 6 at 3:10 a.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays (+2000)
The Rays have one of the deepest rosters in MLB and will benefit from being able to carry additional players, such as top prospect SS Wander Franco. Top-three starters Charlie Morton, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are one of the best three-man groups in the American League.
Manager Kevin Cash has proven to be excellent in bullpen usage and openers may be even more important this season than ever before. The Rays are well prepared for injuries or illness and won’t be derailed by the loss of one or two key players.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rays to win the 2020 World Series would return a profit of $200.
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Philadelphia Phillies (+2500)
The Phillies fell well short of expectations last season at 81-81 and a fourth-place finish in the National League East following the high-profile free-agent signing of OF Bryce Harper. Their 2020 odds have been set higher, even with the offseason addition of SS Didi Gregorius to cement the bottom half of one of the strongest batting orders in the NL.
SP Zack Wheeler was also added in free agency, while a bounce-back season can be expected from a healthier Jake Arrieta. Aaron Nola should once again contend for the NL Cy Young Award.
Also see: 2020 MLB Futures Odds: How many games will the Philadelphia Phillies win?
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Los Angeles Angels (+4000)
Reigning AL MVP OF Mike Trout may be more important than ever in the condensed season as no player in baseball can do more in just 60 games. 3B Anthony Rendon was signed in free agency fresh off of his 2019 World Series win with the Washington Nationals and adds some much-needed winning experience to a team that hasn’t made the postseason since being swept out of the AL Division Series against the Kansas City Royals in 2014.
Pitching depth will be tested once again, following another injury-plagued 2019 season. SPs Julio Teheran and Dylan Bundy were key offseason additions, while the dual-threat Shohei Ohtani will return to the mound in 2020.
Milwaukee Brewers (+4000)
The Brewers have the highest World Series odds of any 2019 playoff team. They had a busy offseason, which included the loss of C Yasmani Grandal to free agency, but 3B Eric Sogard and 1B Justin Smoak were key veteran additions. 2B Keston Hiura and SS Luis Urias will complement OFs Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich in full-time roles.
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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