Dodgers, Yankees Have Identical 2020 World Series Odds; Who’s the Better Bet?
By Bryan Thiel in MLB Baseball
Published:
- FanDuel lists the Yankees and Dodgers as co-favorites to win the 2020 World Series
- Both teams lead their divisions, the Yankees at 15-6 and the Dodgers at 16-7
- Which of the two MLB powerhouses is the best bet to win the 2020 World Series?
While the MLB season has seen its fair share of twists and turns so far, the two teams everyone expected to be at the top of the standings are living up to the hype.
The Yankees and the Dodgers, perennial contenders, are currently 16-5 and 16-7, respectively, and co-favorites to win the 2020 World Series at +400.
So who should you side with?
2020 World Series Odds
| Team | Current Record | FanDuel World Series Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 16-7 | +400 |
| New York Yankees | 15-6 | +400 |
| Minnesota Twins | 14-8 | +1200 |
| Atlanta Braves | 13-10 | +1300 |
| Houston Astros | 11-10 | +1300 |
| Oakland Athletics | 16-6 | +1500 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 14-9 | +1500 |
| Chicago Cubs | 13-6 | +1750 |
| Cleveland Indians | 13-9 | +2100 |
| Washington Nationals | 8-11 | +2200 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 9-11 | +2700 |
| New York Mets | 9-14 | +2800 |
| Chicago White Sox | 11-11 | +3300 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 8-9 | +3300 |
| San Diego Padres | 11-12 | +3500 |
Odds as of Aug. 17th.
Since last year’s World Series, these two have been fighting it out for favorite status in the 2020 World Series Odds.
The 2020 calendar year began with a relatively sizable gap; the Yankees hovered around +300 while the Dodgers were around +600. Then the Mookie Betts trade happened.
Since then, they have been bouncing back and forth. Each has spent time as a slight favorite, and they’ve spent plenty of time as co-favorites.
Could the 2020 World Series Be a Slugfest?
We’re actually lucky to be able to compare these two accurately. While the West divisions have been free from COVID-19-related hang-ups, we can’t say the same about the East. But the only team to be seriously impacted in the AL is the Blue Jays.
This is also important to note because the Yankees shouldn’t be worn down by a potential backlog of games down the stretch.
Yankees, Dodgers Offensive Comparison
| 36 (4) | Home Runs | 43 (1) |
| 113 (T-3) |
RBI | 125 (1) |
| 119 (T-3) | Runs | 128 (1) |
| .266 (2) | Batting Average | .243 (13) |
| .353 (1) | On-Base Percentage | .320 (12) |
| .481 (1) | Slugging Percentage | .428 (4) |
In terms of counting numbers, the Dodgers are dominating with a powerful starting nine and a dangerous bench. Their average, OBP, and slugging percentage are lower than in years past. A big reason for that is the slower starts from Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy.
The Yankees are more aligned with where they finished in 2019. They’re buoyed by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton’s hot starts, and big performances from Mike Tauchman and Clint Frazier.
Yankees Surviving Despite Lengthy Injury Report
In the AL East season preview, the Yanks’ dodgy injury history was raised as a cause for concern. And now, just 20 games into the season, there are three significant names on New York’s Injured List.
D.J. LeMahieu is expected to miss about 2-3 weeks, much like he did in 2018 with a similar injury, per Aaron Boone. The Yankees' hand specialist weighed in, but the one who treated LeMahieu’s previous hand injury will soon.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) August 17, 2020
Aaron Judge is adamant that he’ll be good to go by this weekend. While he’s a leading candidate for AL MVP honors, the team was right to take it slow with his calf injury. Stanton’s hamstring will have him missing the month of August, while there’s still no clarity on DJ LeMahieu’s thumb.
Aaron Judge with an injury update and using tennis shoes on the turf. pic.twitter.com/SBM3QLToTf
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 17, 2020
Those are three key bats that need to be monitored and come back at full health. Lingering injuries could sink New York.
Dodgers’ Pitching Elite Again
If there’s one thing LA has been able to rely on during their run of dominance, it’s their pitching. So far, 2020 has been no different.
Dodgers: Starters vs Relievers
| 3.35 (4) | ERA | 1.43 (1) |
| 91 (16) |
Hits Allowed | 62 (6) |
| 43 (10) | Earned Runs Allowed | 15 (2) |
| 100 (7) | Strikeouts | 95 (11) |
| 34 (16) | Walks | 32 (9) |
| 1.11 (4) | WHIP | 1.00 (2) |
The bullpen has locked things down for the Dodgers, but the starters have been just as good. Some of these numbers are actually inflated by would-be ace Walker Buehler, who’s carrying a 5.21 ERA and 6.35 FIP.
New York’s bullpen is slightly trailing LA’s, but the starters are where we start to see the divide.
Dodgers Hope to Get Over 2020 World Series Hump
With the Yankees, it comes down to two things: pitching and health. Their three stars could completely heal from their latest injuries or that cloud hover over Stanton and Judge for the rest of the year. The depth behind Gerrit Cole is also a modest concern.
If you want to bet the Yankees, the smart thing would be to wait and see if their price comes down with LeMahieu hitting the IL.
Otherwise, back the Dodgers. They’ve built a powerhouse that’s ready for the sprint in 2020.
Sports Writer
Bryan has spent the last decade working in the sports industry. From the sidelines in the OHL and Rugby League to behind the scenes at TSN, Bryan has a wealth of experience with a soft spot for props and parlays.
