Will there be a 2020 Major League Baseball season? Commissioner Rob Manfred is doing everything in his power to try and make that happen, although it obviously will be much shorter than 162 games. One interesting report last week was that MLB could abandon the traditional American and National League split and instead have a Grapefruit and Cactus League. Divisions would then be split up by proximity of spring camps in Florida and Arizona.
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com
That seems far-fetched (but interesting) and for now we will assume that the AL and NL will stick with their usual divisions.
In the AL East, the New York Yankees are the biggest division favorites in the Junior Circuit at -450 despite some starting pitching concerns even with the addition of Gerrit Cole. Keep in mind that last year’s pitcher with the most wins on the team was Domingo German with 18, and he still has to serve 63 games of a suspension for an off-field incident from 2019. There may not even be 63 games this year.
The Tampa Bay Rays have a far superior pitching staff to the Yankees but nowhere near the lineup and are +350. Then there’s a huge dropoff to the Boston Red Sox (+1200), who have already lost ace Chris Sale for the season to Tommy John surgery.
Three teams could realistically win the AL Central: the defending champion Minnesota Twins (-160), backsliding Cleveland Indians (+275) and up-and-coming Chicago White Sox (+300). The delay to the season could help the Pale Hose as starting pitcher Carlos Rodon had Tommy John surgery last May and wasn’t going to be ready for the original Opening Day. He could be now. Also helps fellow pitcher and Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Kopech, coming off his own TJS.
The Houston Astros moved from the National League to the AL West in 2013. Houston wouldn’t win its first division title until 2017 but hasn’t given up the title since and is a -170 favorite. Playing in front of no fans this year frankly would benefit the Astros considering all the vitriol spewed at them involving the sign-stealing scandal. They were really going to hear it on the road this season from opposing fans.
The Oakland A’s (+230) haven’t won the West since 2013, and the Los Angeles Angels (+550) haven’t since 2014.
