Tag: World Series

If it plays out as scheduled, November could be the greatest sports month of all time

We’re dreaming, but sometimes it’s OK to dream.

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On Monday, Augusta National announced that it was rescheduling the 2020 Masters to November. Golf fans rejoiced, as they were treated with something beautiful (and novel) to look forward to.

It also got sports fans thinking: Whoa, this November could be the greatest sports month ever.

Listen, this is pre-supposing a lot of things. One, that we’ll get the global coronavirus pandemic under control, or get to a point where sports could realistically be held safely. Two, that some of these sports will get seasons in this year, or start their seasons on time. Three, you know, that like a comet doesn’t hit the Earth or the Yellowstone caldera blows or whatever.

Pending all that happening, it it plays out like we’re hoping and this disease is somewhat under control by then, November 2020 could have:

  • The Masters
  • The World Series
  • NFL football
  • College football
  • Premier League
  • NBA basketball
  • NHL hockey

That is … bananas. Flipping over from NFL football to the Masters, then having a night cap of a World Series game … my brain just can’t really process that. We’re through the looking glass here.

Will any of this happen? I have no idea. It’s silly to get excited about it, and for all we know, none of these sports will be happening. But it’s fun, however briefly, to dream.

Tuesday’s Big Winner: Jay Cutler

TNNAT via OlyDrop

Cutler appears to be stranded in the Bahamas with his wife Kristin Cavallari and their friends, waiting out the coronavirus quarantine. He says it’s been close to a month, which doesn’t make sense math-wise, but Cutler was always about tossing footballs, not doing numbers. Anyway, may god have mercy on the staff who is trapped with him and his family.

Quick Hits: One Shining Moment, Tom Brady, ‘Hamilton’

– One lonely broadcaster filmed a full-length “One Shining Moment” video, playing all the characters by himself. It’s … elaborate.

– Was Tom Brady trying to snub the Patriots with his goodbye letter? Maybe! We dug WAY too deep into it.

– The “Hamilton” cast is here (with John Krasinski) to sing those quarantine blues away.

Nationals GM put the World Series trophy in his window to honor Opening Day

Mike Rizzo is flexing on us and it’s the best.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo put the World Series trophy up in the window of his home to pay homage to what should’ve been Major League Baseball’s opening day.

Or at least that’s what he wants y’all to think. Don’t you believe that. Not for one second. Because, let me tell you, I know a grade A flex when I see one. And, buddy, this is a grade A flex. And a flex that we should all be able to truly appreciate.

In sports, we always seem to want our idols to be humble — especially in baseball. But you know what? Humility stinks. It’s boring. We’re all stuck in the house right now and bored already as is. We don’t need more boring.

What we need is this. I bet you he hopes the Astros saw this tweet.

This is an ever-so-subtle way of calling the rest of baseball’s losers. And it’s amazing. Shoutout to Mike Rizzo for bringing the fun back even when we don’t have any games being played.

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Former Astro, current Blue Jays’ reliever Ken Giles says he would give up World Series ring if asked

Ken Giles, a reliever for the Astros on that 2017 squad — now with the Toronto Blue Jays — says he would give up his World Series ring if asked to.

Ken Giles, a reliever for the Astros on that 2017 squad — now with the Toronto Blue Jays — says he would give up his World Series ring if asked to.

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: 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.

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

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.

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 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 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 Cincinnati Reds win in 2020?

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

The Cincinnati Reds come into the 2020 season looking to end a six-year playoff drought. Hopes are high for the Reds despite finishing fourth in the National League Central in 2019 and last the previous four seasons. Today, we focus on the Cincinnati Reds’ 2020 regular-season win totals and World Series odds. Do the Cincinnati Reds have what it takes? Let’s analyze:

Cincinnati Reds 2019 wins

The Reds are looking to improve on a 2019 campaign that was their winningest (75-87) since 2014. After winning on Opening Day, the Reds lost eight straight and were never above .500 again in 2019. The Reds had only one winning month — May when they went 15-13 — but were never in contention for the NL Central crown.

Cincinnati Reds offseason

There was a lot of moving and shaking for the Reds this offseason. They added three new bats to the lineup: five-time Japanese All-Star OF Shogo Akiyama, 2017 American League Comeback Player of the Year 2B Mike Moustakas and former DetroiNick CCt Tigers/Chicago Cubs OF Nick Castellanos. The Reds also signed free-agent and former Houston Astros LHP Wade Miley, and they should receive a full season from former All-Star RHP Trevor Bauer.

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

Cincinnati Reds odds to win NL Central division

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Lines last updated on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET.

I LIKE REDS +380 as a value play to steal the NL Central. First, the defending champ St. Louis Cardinals had the least wins (91) of any MLB division winner last year. Second, the Reds have four quality starting pitchers in their rotation and their fifth — Anthony DeSclafani — is coming off a respectable 2019 where he was 9-9 with a 3.89 ERA.

Cincinnati Reds World Series odds

Baby steps should be the expectation for a Reds team that hasn’t appeared in a World Series since 1990 when they swept the Oakland A’s. There would be some value if it was +6000, but their line to win the World Series is +3000, so I’ll PASS.

How many games will Cincinnati Reds win in 2020?

If the Reds can avoid injuries and have 1B Joey Votto return to his MVP-caliber form in 2020, watch out for the Reds to make a surprise run at the NL Central title. Since I like their chances of winning the division, I LOVE OVER REDS 83.5 (-115) WINS. BetMGM is trying to scare you by setting the Reds’ regular-season win total at 83.5 and pricing the Over a little higher. But we aren’t falling for it. The Reds pitching staff was top 10 in ERA, runs allowed per game and strikeouts, so when you factor in a revamped lineup, Over 83.5 wins is a relative lock.

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 @Geoffery_Clark 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 goal is clear for Yankees and Dodgers: World Series or bust

What I’m Hearing: MLB insider Bob Nightengale took the pulse of the Yankees and Dodgers as they begin spring training with their prized possessions from the offseason. Both teams also made it clear what the expectations are for 2020.

What I’m Hearing: MLB insider Bob Nightengale took the pulse of the Yankees and Dodgers as they begin spring training with their prized possessions from the offseason. Both teams also made it clear what the expectations are for 2020.

MLB Futures Betting: 2020 World Series odds, picks and best bets

Predicting who will win the 2020 World Series, with MLB futures betting odds, picks and best bets.

The MLB futures odds for the 2020 World Series were shaken up again last week when the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a blockbuster trade centered upon former AL MVP OF Mookie Betts. After a lengthy delay and a reworked deal which eventually saw the Minnesota Twins acquire SP Kenta Maeda in a separate trade with the Dodgers, we’re now set for spring training to begin Friday, Feb. 21. Below, we’ll look at the 2020 World Series odds, with MLB futures betting picks and tips.

2020 World Series favorites

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, left, poses for photos with manager Aaron Boone at Legends Club at Yankee Stadium. (Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports)

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Tuesday at 1:40 p.m. ET.

New York Yankees (+350)

The Yankees, who had their 2019 season end with an American League Championship Series loss to the Houston Astros, head into 2020 as convincing favorites. They’re back to near full-health after a season that saw most regular starters spend a significant portion of the season on the injured list.

They also landed SP Gerrit Cole as the prize fish in free agency. He cements a rotation that ranked just 14th in baseball with a 4.31 ERA last season. It will be best to HOLD OFF on placing a bet on the Yankees, however, as SPs Domingo German (suspension) and James Paxton (injury) are both expected to miss the first half of the season. Hope for a poor start for the Bronx Bombers and jump on a double-digit number in May.

Los Angeles Dodgers (+400)

The Dodgers continue to retool in their quest to overcome postseason failures and win their first World Series since 1988. Betts joins a talented outfield with A.J. Pollock and Cody Bellinger, while Joc Pederson is set to open the season as the fourth outfielder following the failed trade with the Los Angeles Angels.

They’ll need a bounce-back season from LHP David Price, who was also acquired in the Betts deal. Still, he’s more than capable of being at least a steady No. 3 starter behind Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers are the heaviest favorites of any team to win their division at -1000 to win the NL West. This may be the best number they’ll have all season.

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

2020 World Series longshots

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) throws against the New York Mets during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. (Photo Credit: David Kohl – USA TODAY Sports)

Cincinnati Reds (+3000)

The Reds head into the season with just the fourth-best odds to win the NL Central at +380. They trail the St. Louis Cardinals (+210), Chicago Cubs (+250) and Milwaukee Brewers (+260). These odds are likely to correct early in 2020 after the Reds went just 75-87 last season.

OF Nicholas Castellanos and 2B Mike Moustakas punch up the lineup, while SP Wade Miley and a full season of Trevor Bauer stock the rotation behind ace Luis Castillo. The bullpen should also be one of the best in baseball.

Chicago White Sox (+3300)

The White Sox have a great advantage by playing in what’s likely to be the weakest division in MLB once again. The Cleveland Indians no longer look like contenders and trade rumors continue to swirl around star SS Francisco Lindor. The ChiSox will need the Twins to fall back to Earth after an offensive explosion last season to have a shot at the AL Central crown. They’re a strong bet to win the division at +350.

On their own merit, the White Sox finally succeeded in adding some star power in free agency – 1B Edwin Encarnacion, C Yasmani Grandal, SP Dallas Keuchel – and traded for OF Nomar Mazara. Top prospects Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert are also expected to play significant roles and be top contributors this season.

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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Joe Maddon opens up about end of five-year tenure with Cubs

Before Joe Maddon starts spring training as the new manager of the L.A. Angels, he’s opening up about the end of his five-year tenure with the Chicago Cubs.

Before Joe Maddon starts spring training as the new manager of the L.A. Angels, he’s opening up about the end of his five-year tenure with the Chicago Cubs.