2020 World Series Betting Odds Roundup

Pitchers and catchers start reporting in two weeks so it’s a good time for a preseason review of the World Series futures odds.

At Bovada Sportsbook, the current favorite to win the 2020 World Series is the New York Yankees at +325. The Yankees already boasted one of the top offenses in the game featuring Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez, and in the offseason they bolstered their rotation with the addition of Gerrit Cole. With Cole leading a starting staff that also includes Luis Severino, James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees are easily the ones to beat this year.

Despite losing Cole to the Yankees as a free agent and going through a tumultuous offseason punctuated by the sign-stealing scandal, the Houston Astros are next on the World Series oddsboard at +550. With Cole gone to New York, it will be up to veterans Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke to carry the Houston rotation. The Houston lineup still appears stout, led by Alex Bregman, George Springer, Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez, but will they still be as good without the banging garbage can?

Dodgers +600 to win Fall Classic

Rounding out the top three on the World Series futures are the Los Angeles Dodgers at +600. The Dodgers didn’t make any notable additions during the offseason but still boast one of the best teams in the National League led by reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger. Another influx of youthful talent from the likes of Gavin Lux, Julio Urias and Dustin May could give the Dodgers the jolt they need to finally get over the hump and win a World Series.

The only other team currently getting triple-digit odds on the World Series futures are the Atlanta Braves at +800. Atlanta said goodbye to Josh Donaldson but replaced his clout in the lineup with outfielder Marcell Ozuna. Cole Hamels was also added to the rotation while Ronald Acuna remains as a perennial MVP candidate for the next decade.

Nationals +1300 to repeat as champs

The reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals finally check in next at +1300. Washington lost Anthony Rendon but re-signed Stephen Strasburg to maintain one of baseball’s top rotations, which also includes Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin.

A few teams on the odds that bettors may want to keep an eye on include the St. Louis Cardinals at +1800 and the Boston Red Sox at +2200.

Reds could be sleeper pick at +4000

The Cardinals are getting the best odds of any team in the NL Central. They appear to have a leg up on the Chicago Cubs (+2200) and Milwaukee Brewers (+2000) in the division, but the real sleeper may be the retooled Cincinnati Reds at +4000.

The Red Sox may have crashed and burned last year, but they still boast most of the lineup that won the World Series just two years ago. A return to health and form from starters Chris Sale and David Price could make the Red Sox a surprise contender again.