Tag: World Series

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.

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Tres Barrera Hopes of Earning Big League Opportunity

Former Longhorns catcher Tres Barrera is hoping to get his Major League Baseball opportunity with the Nationals in 2020.

Tres Barrera’s major league career has been a short one so far. After being drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals. The former Longhorns catcher was invited to the Nats’ major league camp in 2019 before being assigned to Double A Harrisburg Senators.

In the minors during the 2019 season, Barrera batted .249 with eight HRs and 46 RBIs. He was called up to the big leagues on September 8th. He went hitless in two at bats while appearing in two games. He was not a part of the postseason roster as the Nationals defeated the Houston Astros to win the World Series.

In 2020, Barrera will be looking to have more of a role with the Nationals. Following the World Series victory for Washington they declined the second-year option of catch Yan Gomes who was behind the plate for the final four games of the fall classic. That might have opened the door for Barrera, however Gomes was brought back on a new two-year deal.

The other catcher on the roster Kurt Suzuki will be in the final year of his contract. Suzuki will be 36 this season which marks his 14th in the league. Given that Gomes and Suzuki are in place for the Nat’s title defense run, it might be another year that Barrera will have to plug away in the minors in hopes of earning his shot in 2021.

 

Brandon Belt Looks For Bounce Back Year In 2020

Former Texas Longhorn Brandon Belt is looking for a bounce back season in 2020 for the San Francisco Giants.

Former Longhorn and current Giants’ first baseman Brandon Belt is preparing to head into his 10th season in the majors, all of which have been with the Giants. Belt received his call to the big leagues in 2011, appearing in 63 games while batting .225 with nine home runs and 18 runs batted in at the age of 23. Outside of an injury-riddled season in 2014, that would be the fewest games that Belt would play in.

In 2019, the former Longhorn and Nacogdoches native appeared in a career-high 156 games that he also matched in the 2016 season. Belt batted just .234 with 127 strikeouts to only 83 walks. He added 17 HRs and 57 RBIs. Looking for a bounce back season, Belt will report to spring training for the Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 16th.

The Giants will be looking to overtake the two teams that finished above them in 2019, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants finished with a combined record of 16-22 against those two clubs. For Belt, he is trying to bring the Giants back to contention. The team hasn’t had a playoff berth since 2016 and haven’t won the pennant since 2014 when they won the World Series.

Belt spent 2008-2009 with the Texas Longhorns. He decided to go to school over starting his baseball career when he was selected in the 11th round by the Boston Red Sox straight out of Lufkin High School. Belt spent 2007 with San Jacinto college where again he was drafted in the 11th round by the Atlanta Braves. He transferred to Texas where he would spend the next two seasons.

As a member of the Longhorns team in 2008, the team finished with a 39-22 record and was eliminated in the NCAA Regionals after falling to Rice 7-4. The following year Belt transitioned to first base and gave up pitching due to his shoulder. The Longhorns finished as runner-up in the 2009 College World Series. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

Brandon Belt’s MLB Accolades

  • National League All-Star (2016)
  • Two-time Wold Series Champion (2012, 2014)
  • Career Batting Average .261
  • Career Home Runs: 129
  • Career Runs Batted In: 472
  • Career On Base Percentage: .354

Former Longhorn Ron Gardenhire Hopes To Turn Tigers Around

Former Longhorn and current Detroit Tigers skipper is hoping to turn around a team that posted their second-worst record in team history.

The Texas Longhorns are preparing for the Alumni game coming up on February 1st. However, there are a handful of former Longhorns preparing for Spring Training and the 2020 Major League Baseball season. One such former Longhorn is long-time skipper Ron Gardenhire.

Gardenhire is preparing for his third year as the Detroit Tigers skipper after an 13-year run in Minnesota with the Twins. After a 6-21 postseason record, Gardenhire was fired and quickly swept up by the Tigers to be their new skipper. He is in the final year of three-year contract with Detroit.

The Detroit Tigers were coming off one of their 10 worst seasons in their history. The organization dates all the way back to 1894. The team went 68-94 in 2017 before relieving Brad Ausmus in favor of Gardenhire. In their first season under the new manager, the Tigers posted an identical 68-94 season.

In the second year under Gardenhire, the Tigers were even worse. Last season the team finished 47-114 and posted the most home losses (59) in the modern era. For Gardenhire, he will need a season where the team shows some signs of life if he wants to continue his career in Detroit.

Ron Gardenhire’s Career Accolades

  • Career Record 1,179-1,251 (.485 winning percentage)
  • Minnesota Record 1,068-1,039 (.507 winning percentage)
  • Minnesota Playoffs 6-21 (.222 winning percentage)
  • Detroit Record 111-212 (.344 winning percentage)
  • AL Manager of the Year (2010)

Decade of sports: Why the Cubs World Series win was best moment in baseball in the 2010s

SportsPulse: There were a lot of World Series droughts that came to an end in the 2010s, but none were bigger than the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series championship.

SportsPulse: There were a lot of World Series droughts that came to an end in the 2010s, but none were bigger than the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series championship.