The MLB regular season schedule has been a long and arduous one for decades. Many of its nay-sayers and detractors have wanted a shortened season that does away with the terrible weather in April and May as well as the wintry conditions teams are forced to compete in with the World Series on the line. The abbreviated 2020 season will offer some weather relief with the players set to begin the shortened season under the scorching hot sun at the end of July. Since the deal was finally struck between the owners and MLB Players Association, the 2020 World Series futures odds haven’t changed much; the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are more or less considered to be co-favorites followed by the Astros +950, Twins +1540, Braves +1655, and Rays/Nationals +1850. Regardless, anything goes in this 60-game schedule so it’s highly possible a team, much like the Nats of last season, comes from out of nowhere to shock the world and win it all. Let’s dig into the futures offerings and see what they have in store for MLB bettors over the next few months.
Dodgers +295
Yankees +360
Astros +950
Twins +1540
Braves +1655
Rays +1850
Nationals +1850
Mets +2200
A’s +2310
Reds +2400
Indians +2411
Angels +2650
Phillies +2800
Cubs +3017
Cardinals +3450
White Sox +3650
Padres +3800
Diamondbacks +4000
Brewers +4000
Red Sox +4800
Rangers +7500
Blue Jays +9000
Rockies +16000
Giants +23500
Royals +50000
Mariners +50000
Orioles +75000
Tigers +75000
Marlins +75000
Los Angeles Dodgers +295
Dave Roberts once again possesses a loaded roster. From hitting to pitching to base running to fielding, the Dodgers have it all! With the top end of the starting rotation boasting stud pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, it would almost become unfair if either Julio Urias, Alex Wood or Dustin May come into their own. The back end of the bullpen also looks rock solid even though Kenley Jansen struggled closing things out last season in converting just 33 of 41 save opportunities. Still, LA’s batting order is otherworldly with Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and Justin Turner in the meat of it. Install Mookie Betts into the lead-off position, and the Dodgers arguably have the best 1-4 hitters in the business. While the team no doubt looks deserving of being favored to win it all, don’t forget about the franchise’s inability to get the job done when it matters most in the playoffs. The Dodgers have won 90+ games every year dating back to 2013 and has zero World Series titles to show for it!
New York Yankees +360
Before the Dodgers made the deal with the Red Sox to bring Betts over to Tinseltown, the Yankees were listed as the odds on favorites to win the World Series. While that’s no longer the case, Aaron Boone’s squad will without a doubt be one of the major players in this two-month playoff quest. New York has won 100 or more games each of the last two seasons, but got bounced from the second season by the Red Sox and Astros respectively. It was yet another disappointing end to a season even though upper management continues to churn out the highest payroll in baseball. The books didn’t get any lighter this past offseason either after inking Gerrit Cole to an historic 9-year deal worth $324M to be the staff’s No. 1 arm for years to come. The delay of the regular season might prove to be beneficial for Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez and James Paxton who likely would’ve been forced to miss the start of it due to their respective injuries.
Houston Astros +950
The team everybody loves to hate enters the 2020 MLB betting season almost as the forgotten team. Yes, the omission of Cole from the pitching staff stings; but is it enough to just write them off? I think not! The fact that the team will be able to go on the road and play in front of empty stadiums will allow for it to avoid the wrath of the fans who already showed they wouldn’t be letting Jose Altuve and his mates off easily with all the heckling and back-and-forth that went down in the few spring training games before the coronavirus shut sports down. Justin Verlander just won the AL Cy Young Award; he’s backed by some fantastic arms in Zack Greinke, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr. and Josh James. On top of that, the batting order is still one of the best in the game with George Springer setting the table for Altuve, Michael Brantley, Alex Bregman, Yuli Gurriel and Yordan Alvarez to eat. If that’s not enough, the bullpen is also lights out! This is a team that will also be playing with a chip on its shoulder since the whole baseball betting world believes their 2017 title is tainted.
Cincinnati Reds +2400
The Reds surpassed the 70-win plateau for the first time in four seasons a year ago. Even so, David Bell’s squad has gotten a ton of notoriety from baseball bettors who believe it’s got what it takes to make some noise over the next few months. While there’s definitely some things to like that Cincy brings with it to the table, is it really enough to have them slotted ahead of the Cubs and Cardinals on the World Series futures odds? You know what happens when everybody expects something to happen, right…
Philadelphia Phillies +2800
While the starting pitching still leaves a bit to be desired even with the signing of Zack Wheeler, the Phillies are a team I believe makes it a point to be a thorn in everyone’s side this season. Expectations were nothing short of enormous after inking Bryce Harper to a huge deal. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to live up to expectations and succumbed to the pressure. Injuries also played a major role in Philly only winning 81 games and finishing fourth in the division. Call it a hunch, but look for the Phillies to exceed expectations this time around.
Chicago White Sox +3650
Though I bleed Cubbie Blue, I can’t help but be impressed with what the South Siders have done to completely revamp their roster. This shortened season could prove to be the team’s coming out party with a loaded batting lineup to go along with one of the best young up-and-coming pitching staffs the league has to offer. Bringing in both Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez to educate the youngsters was a very wise move. There isn’t a weak-link 1-9 in the batting order, and the additions of Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion and Nomar Mazara are sure to pay dividends in the power department. Look for them to give the Twins hell all season!
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