The NL East Betting Preview for the 2020 MLB Season
By: Ryan Gilbert
The Washington Nationals shocked the baseball world by storming through the playoffs and getting the job done on the road while winning the 2019 World Series. Can they do it again despite all the roster turnover and win the NL crown (after not needing it last year), or will the Braves maintain their hold on the top of the division.
Maybe this is the year the Mets turn things around or the Phillies don’t fade down the stretch. Who knows? What we do know is we have all the latest NL East odds and NL Win Totals in Ryan Gilbert’s OddsUSA NL East Betting preview.
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NL East Betting Preview: Atlanta Braves Odds
Atlanta Braves Over/under: 90.5 wins
Atlanta Braves Odds to win Division: +190
Atlanta Braves Odds to win League: +500
Atlanta Braves Odds to win World Series: +1200
The Atlanta Braves have quickly risen back to the top of the NL East. After falling to as few as 67 and 68 wins in 2015 and 2016, they have won 90 or more games in each of the last two seasons. They won 90 games in 2018 and 97 games in 2019, earning them the NL East crown in each campaign.
While the Braves have been bounced from the playoffs in the first round, they are a very strong regular season team. And they’re only getting better.
2018 NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna is only getting better with every season, and he’s joined by fellow youngsters Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson up the middle. Oh yeah, they still have Freddit Freeman at first base and picked up Marcell Ozuna to replace Josh Donaldson’s bat in the lineup.
On the mound they have an up-and-coming ace in Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Mike Foltynewicz, and free-agent additions Cole Hamels and Felix Hernandez. They bolstered their bullpen as well, adding Will Smith and Darren O’Day to help set up things for Mark Melancon.
Having said all of that, it’s a very competitive NL East once again this season. With the Nationals, Phillies, and Mets all projected to get at least 80 wins, the Braves will be in the 80s with them. Bet on the under 90.5 wins for the Braves.
NL East Betting Preview: Washington Nationals Odds
Washington Nationals Over/under: 88.5 wins
Washington Nationals Odds to win Division: +250
Washington Nationals Odds to win League: +700
Washington Nationals Odds to win World Series: +1600
The reigning World Series champions are looking to find their 2019 magic here in 2020. The Washington Nationals enter the 2020 season without the honor of being the favorites to win the division, however.
The Nationals had an interesting offseason after winning it all. After losing Bryce Harper the year prior, the team could only afford one of Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon. They kept the former, in turn keeping their “Big Three” in the starting rotation intact, while the latter left for Los Angeles.
The Nationals have Max Scherzer, Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin anchoring one of the top rotations in baseball, with Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson holding down the final innings in the pen. They lost Rendon, but still have Juan Soto in the heart of the order.
The Nationals have won at least 82 games in each of the last eight seasons, including 93 or more in three of the last four seasons. It’s going to be an uphill climb in a tough division, however, and it could look more like 2018, when they won just 82 games.
Betting to win the division, league, or World Series doesn’t provide value, but the under 88.5 wins seems like a good bet here.
NL East Betting Preview: Philadelphia Phillies Odds
Philadelphia Phillies Over/under: 84.5 wins
Philadelphia Phillies Odds to win Division: +325
Philadelphia Phillies Odds to win League: +900
Philadelphia Phillies Odds to win World Series: +2000
The NL East just does not stop. Not only do the Braves and Nationals have high hopes for 2020, so do the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Philies have failed to go over the .500 mark since winning 102 games in 2011. Now, with a new manager and strong lineup, they’re looking to take that next step.
Bryce Harper is back again – and for the next 12 years – alongside J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins. A healthy Andrew McCutchen is here too, with free-agent addition Didi Gregorious.
Joe Girardi was the biggest acquisition of the offseason, along with Zack Wheeler to give Aaron Nola some help in the rotation. However, their bullpen is still a question mark.
The Phillies have the makings of a great team if they can put it all together. They have a deep lineup and two strong starting pitchers with a few high-upside wild cards in the mix. Bet on the over 84.5 wins.
NL East Betting Preview: New York Mets Odds
New York Mets Over/under: 85.5 wins
New York Mets Odds to win Division: +325
New York Mets Odds to win League: +1100
New York Mets Odds to win World Series: +2200
Remember what I said about the NL East not stopping? Well, they’re still not stopping. The New York Mets are yet another team in the division looking for a big season.
The Mets bounced back to over .500 with 86 wins last year after winning 70 and 77 games the two years prior. They, like the rest of the division, have a very strong rotation with Jacob deGrom, who has won the Cy Young Award in back-to-back seasons, and Noah Syndergaard. Marcus Stroman isn’t a bad No. 3 either, with Steven Matz and Rick Porcello rounding it out.
2019 NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso holds things down in the lineup, with Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto helping him out. The bullpen is deep as well with Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, Dellin Betances, and Jeurys Familia.
All four of these teams should have similar over/unders, but they don’t. Bet on the over 85.5 wins for the Mets.
NL East Betting Preview: Miami Marlins Odds
Miami Marlins Over/under: 64.5 wins
Miami Marlins Odds to win Division: +50000
Miami Marlins Odds to win League: +35000
Miami Marlins Odds to win World Series: +75000
The NL East has four great teams … and then the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins are on a downward trajectory with 79, 77, 63, and 57 wins in 2016 through 2019. They are a hodgepodge group of veterans with a young pitching staff. It’s not looking good for them again this year.
The Marlins haven’t reached 65 wins in either of the last two seasons, and that won’t change this year. Bet on the under 64.5 wins for the Marlins.
