Best Bet to Win the World Series (2020)

The long-awaited start of the 2020 Major League Baseball season is nearly upon us. Baseball will be a bit different this year, with both a reduced regular season schedule and the absence of fans at the ballparks. Even so, the return of America’s Pastime will hopefully bring smiles to many in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, with sports bettors being no exception.

Those looking to get in on the MLB betting action can get started before Opening Day with the myriad of futures wagers being offered at sportsbooks. One of the most popular futures bets is picking the winner of the World Series. The quest to find value amongst the World Series odds is perhaps more challenging this year than ever thanks to the shortened season. After carefully weighing the schedules, rosters, and several other important factors, here is my preseason best bet to win the 2020 MLB World Series. You can also view our consensus odds to win the World Series here.

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

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Henry’s World Series Best Bet: Atlanta Braves | +1400

Winners of the NL East division title in each of the past two seasons, the Atlanta Braves won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year. The team boasts a deep and talented lineup, plenty of established bullpen arms, and a rotation led by exciting young arms. While a third straight division crown is well within reach, Atlanta has its sights set on much more in 2020.

Hitting
Even with the loss of Josh Donaldson in free agency, the Braves once again find themselves equipped with a lineup plenty capable of doing damage. The core three of youngsters Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies and long-time Brave Freddie Freeman will make up the head of Atlanta’s batting order.

Newcomer Marcell Ozuna slugged 29 home runs and had 89 RBIs with the St. Louis Cardinals last year. He should not only provide an adequate offensive replacement for Donaldson, but also gives Atlanta a very good defensive outfield quartet when paired with Acuna, Adam Duvall, and Ender Inciarte.

One thing that Donaldson’s departure has left an unclear answer to is who will be Atlanta’s regular starter at third base. Johan Camargo tops the team’s official depth chart as the start of the season looms, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see Austin Riley and perhaps even Yangervis Solarte get time at the hot corner as well. If one can emerge as the regular starter, Atlanta will be just fine on the left side of the infield when you throw in Dansby Swanson at shortstop.

The Braves also signed catcher Travis d’Arnaud in the offseason. He should provide an offensive boost at the position after posting a .263 batting average last season compared to Tyler Flowers’ .229.

Pitching
The Braves’ starting rotation has talent but may prove to be the team’s weakness in 2020. 22-year old Mike Soroka and 26-year old Max Fried are the young hurlers of the group. Both have already shown what they are capable of, and Soroka figures to head up the rotation after notching 13 wins and posting a 2.68 ERA in 2019, his first full MLB season.

Unfortunately, Atlanta will have to wait on their offseason acquisition, Cole Hamels. He will begin the season on the injured list with no definitive timetable for a return. With Julio Teheran and Dallas Keuchel no longer on the team, the Braves will hope for improved performances from Mike Foltynewicz and Sean Newcomb in Hamels’ absence. Kyle Wright is another name that could draw some starts. The team also signed Jhoulys Chacin for added insurance as the season gets set to begin.

The Braves’ bullpen is stocked full of both talent and experience. Mark Melancon will be in the featured closer role. Will Smith figures to be the primary setup man ahead of him. The pen includes other notable names in Shane Greene, Darren O’Day, and Chris Rusin. The right-to-left balance of the Opening Day depth chart is 6-3, giving Atlanta an excellent blend of relievers who should be capable of navigating even the toughest of late-inning situations.

Schedule
With the revamped MLB scheduling to accommodate for the shortened season, all 60 of the Braves’ regular season games will come against their divisional opponents in the NL East and the five teams in the corresponding AL East. With 40 of the 60 coming in-division, this means 10 games each against the defending World Series Champion Washington Nationals (+1800), New York Mets (+2200), Philadelphia Phillies (+2500), and Miami Marlins (+30000).

The NL East figures to be one of the deepest and most competitive divisions this year. Other than the Marlins who continue to rebuild, the other four teams all figure to have a shot at capturing the division title. While it won’t be an easy road for the Braves, they rightfully have the shortest World Series odds of all the teams. The lack of a glaring weakness is something Atlanta has that none of their division rivals can also claim for themselves.

The other 20 of the Braves’ regular-season matchups will come against the AL East, with four games each against the New York Yankees (+400), Tampa Bay Rays (+1700), Boston Red Sox (+4300), Toronto Blue Jays (+8500), and Baltimore Orioles (+30000). The Yankees and Rays are expected to be contenders this year, but Atlanta should have ample opportunity to pick up wins against the other three teams.

Final Thoughts

While the Braves must find a way to overcome the lingering rotation questions to begin the year, there is too much to love about the team as a whole. With other arms capable of stepping up and an elite bullpen locked and loaded for the latter innings, I expect the Braves pitching to be just fine. Throw in what could arguably be one of the MLB’s best lineups and an enticing price at 14-1, and Atlanta is my preseason pick to win the 2020 World Series.

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Henry John is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Henry, check out his archive and follow him @HankTimeSports.