COVID-19 has taken Major League Baseball to the brink. Owners and the players association have battled all spring for a return plan. Of great concern should be how baseball is seen by a suffering American public. As millions have lost their jobs baseball has its proverbial “millionaire vs. billionaires” pettiness. Certainly, the American public is starved for baseball betting. Baseball would be a welcome daily diversion in this time of tumult. If baseball does return for 2020 it is already badly damaged. However, if it does not there may be no return to relevance ever again.
Odds to Win the 2020 World Series
| Teams | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers + | +375 |
| New York Yankees | +400 |
| Houston Astros | +650 |
| Atlanta Braves | +1300 |
| Minnesota Twins | +1600 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +1800 |
| Washington Nationals | +1800 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +2000 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +2000 |
| Chicago Cubs | +2200 |
| Cleveland Indians | +2200 |
| New York Mets | +2200 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +2500 |
| Oakland Athletics | +2500 |
| Boston Red Sox | +3000 |
| Chicago White Sox | +3000 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +3000 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +3300 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +4000 |
| San Diego Padres | +4000 |
| Texas Rangers | +8000 |
| All Other Teams | +10000 or More |
2020 World Series Championship Odds Overview and Analysis
Fashion that two of the biggest cities and payrolls are the sports betting favorites to win the World Series. Both the Dodgers and Yankees are loaded with deep rosters and pockets. While the Astros have been top tier with the highest level of recent results. The wild card to the 2020 season will be a shortened schedule. Along the same lines will be the factor of additional playoff teams.
When handicapping games, the question will be if top teams such as the Dodgers and Yankees will coast. That is because a mere .500 record will gain the playoffs. Contrarily lesser teams may do better than expected as elite clubs coast to the postseason. All of which makes for gamblers walking a tight rope. Handicapping the 2020 campaign will make for an intriguing challenge.
Changing Dynamics for Yankees and Red Sox
As a result of signing the 2019 Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole did the Yankees reach a new level of esteem. New York is a perennial favorite but the arrival of Cole busted the baseball Betting bank. Gamblers flocked to the futures board at the announcement. Of course, the Bronx Bombers are a perennial contender. This leads to the question of wagering value. Should New York coast to the playoffs, gamblers will drown in red ink because of steep prices. Yet this is a realistic possibility.
By contrast, New York’s ancient rival Boston seems to be downsizing. Mookie Betts was shipped by the Red Sox to the Dodgers. Boston’s ownership group has grown weary of writing huge checks. Now with the likelihood of no revenue from closed Fenway Park that directive looks-wise. Boston may be stronger than expected board value. Prices will be far lower on the Red Sox. Such as it is Boston still has a better roster than most.
Red Ink for Dodger Blue?
Commencing with the 2015 season has Los Angeles lost money in three of the last five seasons. Even though they won the National League West all five times. Consider that in 2018 the Dodgers went 92-71 but lost -2283 units. Cause by the massive board overlay on LA set by oddsmakers. Hence the wagering public has bet all value out of the Dodgers. Especially dangerous is the 2020 scenario of a short season with increased playoffs.