5 Best Futures Bets to Make for 2020 MLB Season

• Opening day of the 2020 MLB season is July 23, with most teams starting up July 24
• This season will be far from normal, with only 60 games for teams and players to separate themselves from the pack
• For betting advice on picking a World Series winner, an MVP, and more, check out the article below

Believe it or not, Major League Baseball is back next week. With it comes the return of all sorts of futures bets pertaining to teams and players.

There are almost too many to choose from, but fear not! Here’s a look at five of the best futures bets for the 2020 MLB season, all in one place (all odds via FanDuel sportsbook as of July 14th).

Baltimore Orioles Win Total: Under 20.5

Odds as of July 14.

The Baltimore Orioles have been baseball’s worst team over the past two years and they figure to finish right around that position again.

They didn’t add anyone of note in the offseason, they lost one of their best players (Trey Mancini) for the season due to colon cancer, and the altered schedule is perhaps more cruel to them than any other team.

https://twitter.com/Orioles/status/1282444903562215424?s=20

One-third of their schedule comes against the Yankees and Rays, both in the top-six for World Series odds. Another third of their games are against the Red Sox and Blue Jays, two teams with enough star power to make noise on a given night.

Their interleague games are against the NL East, which is arguably the deepest division in baseball. It explains why FanGraphs is projecting 20.9 wins for Baltimore right now, and why we advise the under.

Pick: Baltimore under 20.5 wins (-110)

AL Cy Young Odds: Gerrit Cole

Gerrit Cole could have easily won his first Cy Young last year, but he was working in the shadow of Houston Astros co-ace Justin Verlander. Cole and Verlander top the AL Cy Young odds this year, unsurprisingly, but now Cole has ventured out on his own.

The Yankees signed Cole to a nine-year, $324 million deal this winter. Don’t you think, with that kind of price tag, they’re going to unleash Cole as often and for as long as possible?

Gerrit Cole K strut in midseason form. pic.twitter.com/d8f51I5OD5

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 8, 2020

Cole led the AL in ERA, strikeouts, strikeout rate, ERA+, and FIP last year (all of which are strongly considered in the award voting). He’s healthy, in his prime, and capable of doing it all again. Bank on that.

Pick: Gerrit Cole (+280)

NL East Divisional Odds: Atlanta Braves

As previously mentioned, the NL East is an awfully deep division, which is reflected in the odds. To be clear, if you want to ride the -500 favorite Dodgers in the NL West, I won’t hold that against you.

But part of what make the Braves the “best” bet in this category is the baked-in value. They won the division last year, with a bunch of young stars (Ronald Acuna Jr, Ozzie Albies, Mike Soroka, etc.), who should only get better.

Mike Soroka wants that ROY trophy. pic.twitter.com/Jd0gpuC8e7

— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) August 23, 2019

Yes, they lost Josh Donaldson. But they added Marcell Ozuna and Travis d’Arnaud, among others.

First baseman Freddie Freeman has been feeling better recently after testing positive for COVID-19. He should be good to go for the season.

Pick: Atlanta Braves (+200)

2020 NL MVP Odds: Christian Yelich

Two years ago, Christian Yelich was the NL MVP. Last year, he stood a good chance to repeat, until he missed 30-plus games with injury. (He still managed a second-place finish.)

If you’re missing @Brewers baseball, here’s every homer Christian Yelich has hit in a Brewer Uniform to hold you over: 💣 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kZBPSmTbQr

— Jack (@YelichWasRobbed) June 30, 2020

Yelich has won the NL batting title each of the past two years and led the league in OPS, as well. Health is a question mark for everyone, especially this season, but he has been the NL’s best player the past two years and is in position to stay that way.

Pick: Christian Yelich (+650)

2020 World Series Odds: LA Dodgers

Over the past three seasons, the Dodgers have 302 wins, two World Series trips and n,o titles.

They have the reigning MVP (Cody Bellinger), two strong Cy Young candidates (Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw), and a handful of promising rookies including NL ROY favorite Gavin Lux.

Oh, and did I mention they added Mookie Betts, who immediately became the 2020 NL MVP front-runner?

🚨 🚨 MOOKIE BETTS FIRST HOMER AS A DODGER….THIS IS NOT A DRILL🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/ExvCeUn3xr

— • (@bellingersworId) July 11, 2020

Their title odds are the shortest because they have the best team. It’s that simple.

Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (+380)