2020 World Series Betting Odds Update

With the start of the MLB season still nowhere in sight, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees remain the favorites to win the 2020 World Series.

At Bovada Sportsbook, the Dodgers are the overall favorites right now at +325, but the Yankees are right behind them at +350.

How will a shortened season end up affecting the Dodgers and Yankees?

An abbreviated season could be a plus for the Dodgers’ veteran pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and David Price, as well as young starters Dustin May and Julio Urias. Kershaw and Price could be sharper come the postseason with fewer innings on their arms, while May and Urias would not have to worry about running into any innings limits with fewer innings to go around.

Right now it looks like a plus for the Yankees as it should allow Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and James Paxton to all be ready for the start of the season. All three likely would have been on the injury list had the season began on time. However, if the Yankees continue to be injury-prone, a shortened campaign will leave less time for a player to return if they are hurt during the season.

Possible realignment could impact World Series odds

The rumors of a one-time divisional realignment could have a major impact on the World Series futures odds. There has been talk that MLB will try to start the season in Arizona and realign the divisions to keep travel times to a minimum between the Arizona complexes. Why could this matter? Think of it this way. What would happen to a team’s playoff chances if they suddenly found themselves in the same division as the Dodgers or Yankees?

Does that mean taking a shot at a World Series underdog is worth it right now in case they get a better divisional slot in the future?

Maybe the New York Mets, currently listed at +2200, get a much cushier division than the extremely competitive NL East?

What if the Tampa Bay Rays, also currently listed at +2200, move into a new division and leave the Yankees behind? That would greatly improve their chances at a division title and a playoff spot.

Twins, Reds could be hurt by divisional shuffle

Of course, divisional realignment could also hurt some teams. A few standouts include the Minnesota Twins and the Cincinnati Reds. The Twins are +1600 on the World Series futures and as residents of the AL Central get plenty of games against pushovers like the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals. Moving to a tough division would be bad news for Minnesota.

The Reds, +2500 World Series underdogs, look like up-and-comers in the NL Central where the Chicago Cubs seem to be stalled and the Milwaukee Brewers falling. Joining a tougher division could throw a wrench in the Reds’ rebuild timeline.