MLB: Houston Astros Odds-On Favorites To Win 2020 World Series According To Bookies

The 2019 MLB season only ended a few short weeks ago and we are still in the early stages of free agency. Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg are all still available as are a number of “second tier” players like Zach Wheeler and Josh Donaldson, so fans aren’t really sure just how their teams will look next season.

That hasn’t stopped the bookmakers from taking bets on the 2020 fall classic although it is still 11 months away. Just who do they think will win the World Series next season?

The 2019 champion Washington Nationals don’t top the list despite having just won the Series. In fact, the FanDuel sportsbook places them as sixth-favorites to reign supreme twice in a row. Granted, the odds are obviously affected by the uncertainty around both Strasburg and Rendon but their distance from the leaders is interesting to say the least.

The Nats have a money line of +1400 to win the 2020 World Series. That does give them slightly better odds than the Cleveland Indians (+1500) but they are a fair distance off the bookies’ choice. The leading contender according to the odds makers is the Houston Astros, defending AL champions.

The Stros are facing an investigation into possible cheating allegations stemming from the 2017 seasons until this past fall. However, that hasn’t stopped them from receiving a money line of +500, the best in the bigs. It is also despite the possibility of seeing Cole sign elsewhere this winter.

Two other teams have odds that are close to the Astros, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Both made the League Championship Series last time out and are being linked with major moves this offseason for Cole and Strasburg.

The Dodgers and Yankees both have money lines of +600 from the bookies. The fourth and fifth place teams have comparatively less favorable odds. The Atlanta Braves have a money line of +1100 while the Boston Red Sox have a +1200.

So, according to FanDuel, the ALCS should be contested between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees for the second consecutive season while the Dodgers and Braves will duke it out for the National League title. Theoretically, it would then be the Dodgers and Astros to face each other on the biggest stage.

No doubt these money lines will change as the winter goes on and various free agents sign with new clubs and teams get together and trade players. However, according to the bookies, it is the Houston Astros who are favorites to win the 2020 World Series.