Cubs’ 2020 MLB Playoff Odds Have Improved from +152 to +110 Since March

• The Chicago Cubs’ odds have shortened to make the 2020 MLB playoffs
• With a shortened season, the ultra-competitive National League Central will be one of baseball’s tightest races
• Get the odds, betting discussion and a pick on the Cubs’ 2020 playoff odds

Back in March, the Chicago Cubs’ average odds to make the playoffs were +152. With the 60-game MLB regular season only a few days away, the Cubs’ average price has dropped to +110, shorter than the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.

The 2020 MLB playoff odds, as can be seen in the table below, suggest that the National League Central will be incredibly close. The Brewers, Reds, Cardinals and Cubs are all in serious contention to make the postseason, and it’s not unreasonable to suggest that any of them could win the division.

The 2016 World Series winners finished seven games out of first place and a few out of the wildcard last season – are they worth backing to return to the postseason in 2020?

2020 National League Playoff Odds

Odds taken Jul. 16.

Dominating Pittsburgh

Fangraphs’ depth charts projections cannot split the Central. The margins for error are minute this year, and depth charts have only one game splitting the top four teams, with the Cubs projected to finish 32-28.

How they get on against each other will be key, but how many wins they pick up against the Pittsburgh Pirates will be significant too. Pittsburgh is in a rebuild, with a roster far inferior to the four contenders.

The Cubs were 11-8 in their matchups with the Pirates last year. Pittsburgh has a weaker roster for 2020 – David Ross’ team will be expecting to dominate the season series this time round.

Close Games

While last year was a disappointment, the greatest frustration for the Wrigley Field management will have been how they fared in close games. The Cubs were 4-9 in games that went to extra innings. They were 19-27 in one-run games.

Some of that can be put down to poor fortune. Some of it is about bullpen depth and having arms who can pitch in high leverage.

The Cubs were six wins below their Pythagorean win-loss – meaning they were arguably a better team than their eventual record. They finished the season poorly, going 13-17 in their last 30 games.

As we look at them as a potential playoff team in 2020, that poor end to last season could be considered a sign of things to come. Just as easily, though, their strong start in 2019 (played comfortably over .500 ball in April and May) might suggest they are a team that will benefit from the shortened season.

Status Quo

It was a quiet off-season for the Cubbies. A Kris Bryant trade was rumored, but it never got beyond that stage. The front office opted to maintain the status quo, and with that comes the same weaknesses that led them to finish third in the Central last season.

Bullpen additions were made, and Steven Souza Jr. was signed after being non-tendered by the Diamondbacks, but this is ultimately a flawed roster.

The refusal to spend could haunt them, particularly after the Reds bolstered their line-up.

They have a very talented core, and an experienced rotation, but second base, the outfield and bullpen are all areas of concern. With a lesser workload and fewer injuries in a shorter season, the lack of depth might not be as problematic as it would have been in a full season, however.

The ceiling for this Cubs team remains high, yet it’s a surprise how short their odds are to make the playoffs. There’s enough downside to back them to miss out.

Pick: Cubs to miss playoffs (-139)