Spring training is underway as preparations for a new MLB season take place in the Grapefruit League throughout Florida and the Cactus League in the southern part of Arizona.
Opening Day is about a month away at the end of March. While all 30 teams are working towards winning a World Series title this year, only a handful of them has a legitimate chance of actually reaching that goal.
The popular online sportsbook BetOnline has put things into perspective with its MLB futures odds to win the 2020 MLB Championship. The current numbers point to a two-team race, but there is some value to be found a bit deeper on the list.
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Going Chalk With The Favorites
Major League Baseball remains the lone professional sport in the US where the money is no object when it comes to building a winning team. New York is the top market in the American League fronted by the Yankees. Los Angeles would be considered the major market in the National League led by the Dodgers.
Both these teams have been perennial winners over the past several years. However, the Yankees’ last World Series victory dates back to the 2009 season. You would have to go all the way back to 1988 to find the Dodgers’ last MLB title. Both teams figured that enough is enough with a very active offseason when it comes to acquiring the right personnel to end this drought.
When it comes to betting on their chances to win this season’s title, New York has a slight edge as a +350 favorite followed closely by the Dodgers as +400 second-favorites.
Whether it was key additions to the starting rotation (Gerritt Cole joining the Yankees) or added talent in the starting lineup (Mookie Betts moving west to Los Angeles), each of these franchises is the clear favorites to win their respective league pennant. New York is a +150 favorite to win the AL, and the Dodgers’ betting odds to win a third NL Pennant in four seasons are set at +160.
The big question is which of these two teams will be the first to win four games against the other in the 2020 World Series. They should each remain at the top of the list all season long, but if you’re making this bet right now, go with the slightly better value in Los Angeles.
Other Value Teams
The MLB futures odds to win this season’s World Series drop off rather quickly following the two best teams. Third on the list is the Houston Astros at +800 odds followed by the Atlanta Braves as +1400 fourth-favorites. Three teams round out the Top 5 at +1600. This group includes the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Washington Nationals as the reigning champs.
The Astros are second to New York in the AL futures at +400, followed by the Minnesota Twins as +800 third favorites to win that league. Atlanta is a +750 second-favorite in the NL futures with New York (+800) and Washington (+850) also in the mix.
Quite a few things would have to go right for any of these teams to get past the top two favorites. Atlanta had a breakout season in 2019, and the Braves are favored to once again win the East. I would give them a fighting chance against Los Angeles.
The Astro are still embroiled in a cheating scandal that could act as a distraction all season long. If you are looking for a sleeper team in the AL, the Oakland A’s could be a good place to start at +1400 odds to win the pennant. That could be as far as it gets as +3300 longshots on the World Series list.
