The Washington Nationals are the defending champions, but it’s the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers that lead the way on the 2020 World Series odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
The Yankees lost in six games to the Houston Astros in last year’s ALCS, but bolstered their starting rotation in a big way in the off-season by signing Gerrit Cole. The right-hander went 20-5 for the Astros last season with a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts in 212 innings pitched. New York is the +350 betting favourite on the odds to win the 2020 World Series.
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The Dodgers, meanwhile, were bounced in five games by the Nationals in the NLDS last season, ending another disappointing post-season for the club. Determined to finally claim another championship, Los Angeles made a major move by trading for outfielder Mookie Betts and starting pitcher David Price in a deal with the Boston Red Sox. The Dodgers trail just behind the Yankees at online betting sites at +365 to win the World Series this season.
The Astros, despite losing Cole and having to change managers due to the sign-stealing scandal that rocked baseball, are third at +650, with the Atlanta Braves (+1400) and Nationals (+1600) rounding out the top five.
The Braves fell in five games to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS last season, but picked up relief pitcher Will Smith to strengthen their bullpen. The Nationals managed to get Stephen Strasburg re-signed but lost third baseman Anthony Rendon to the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent. The Angels, though, are still considered longer shots at +3000 on the futures.
The Minnesota Twins added Josh Donaldson to their lineup in the off-season, and sit at +1800 along with the Cardinals on the 2020 World Series odds. The Twins were swept by the Yankees in last year’s ALDS, while the Cardinals were swept by the Nationals in the NLCS.
The Philadelphia Phillies (+2000), Tampa Bay Rays (+2000), New York Mets (+2200), Chicago Cubs (+2500), and Cleveland Indians (+2500) round out the top half of contenders on the MLB futures, while the Boston Red Sox have slipped to +3000 after trading Betts.
The Toronto Blue Jays, meanwhile, are in the bottom third at +8000 on the World Series odds heading into spring training, and fourth on the odds to win the American League East at +3500. The Yankees lead the AL East odds as -800 favourites, followed by the Rays at +600 and the Red Sox at +1000, while the Orioles are +60000 longshots to win the division title.