No two baseball playoff series could matchup opposites like the American League. To illustrate, the Yankees have the largest payroll in baseball betting. Their Tampa Bay opponents operate on a shoestring. In comparison, the Astros and A’s have similar budgetary constraints. Tampa Bay and Oakland are the epitomai of “Moneyball” tactics. They use mathematical formulas to measure peak play efficiency. By contrast, the Yankees just go out and pay record contracts. Namely, Gerrit Cole is the latest and largest example of that.
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yankees | -1½ (+115) | 7 (-115) | -144 |  |
| Rays | +1½ (-135) | 7 (-105) | +134 | |
| ||||
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astros | +1½ (-160) | 8 (-115) | +125 | |
| Athletics | -1½ (+140) | 8 (-105) | -135 | |
| ||||
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Schedule and TV Coverage
Best of five series takes place at Dodger Stadium, Los Angles California
| Game | DATE |
|---|---|
| Game 1 | Monday, October 5, 4:07 p.m. ET, TBS |
| Game 2 | Tuesday, October 6, TBD, TBS |
| Game 3 | Wednesday, October 7, TBD, TBS |
| Game 4 | Thursday, October 8, TBD, TBS* |
| Game 5 | Friday, October 9, TBD, TBS* |
*=if necessary
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Schedule and TV Coverage:
Best of five series takes place at Petco Park in San Diego, California
| Game | DATE |
|---|---|
| Game 1 | Monday, October 5, 8:07 p.m. ET, TBS |
| Game 2 | Tuesday, October 6, TBD, TBS |
| Game 3 | Wednesday, October 7, TBD, TBS |
| Game 4 | Thursday, October 8, TBD, TBS* |
| Game 5 | Friday, October 9, TBD, TBS* |
*=if necessary
2020 ALDS Betting Odds Analysis
On this occasion, we have a Yankees team with a generational fan base. History and tradition make them a sportsbook icon. Houston’s status as a regular World Series contender gives them cache too. While sharps love what the A’s and Rays offer in wagering value. Squares prefer big-name power brands. Thus, the prices we see for the ALDS.
Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros Overview
When Oakland is successful pitching is a big reason why. Overall, the A’s ranked fifth for staff earned run average this year. At the plate, Matt Olson had a team-high 14 home runs. The A’s finished 36-24.
Houston was a subpar 29-31 on the season. In sum, the Astros ranked sixth for quality starts. But they dropped to 14th for runs per game. George Springer led with 14 home runs. Houston committed the fewest errors in baseball.
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Overview
Specifically, when healthy New York boasts one of baseball’s most productive lineups. Luke Volt became a sensation with 22 home runs in the shortened season. Injury-riddled Aaron Judge powered to nine home runs in 28 games. And then Gerrit Cole proved the merits of his contract. Cole went 7-3 with a 2.84 earned run average.
Tampa Bat ace Tyler Glasnow went 5-1 with a 4.08 ERA. Offensively Brandon Low led the Rays. To illuminate Lowe hit 14 home runs with an OPS of .916. Tampa Bay was 40-20 compared to New York at 33-27. The Rays pitching staff ranked third best for ERA.
2020 ALDS SBG Free Picks
Tampa Bay and Houston offer considerably better baseball betting value. Underdogs make the most sense on the American League side. More emphatically the Yankees and A’s are good teams. But their price tags are too high. Houston is better than their record. So too did Rays have a superior record to the Yankees.
2020 ALDS SBG Best Bets: Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros