The NL West Betting Preview for the 2020 MLB Season
By: Ryan Gilbert
Oh what an offseason it has been for the Los Angeles Dodgers! First there were grumbling about one possible world series being stolen from them by the Astros… then we have come to find out the Red Sox (thanks Alex Cora) also may have stolen another world series from the boys in blue? What else could possibly go wrong for the Dodgers… oh… players will accrue a full season even if the 2020 campaign never happens? Meaning Mookie Betts might never dress in Dodger Blue?
Well, maybe it’s best to stop thinking about all the offseason story lines and take an optimistic look at the Dodgers and all the rest of the NL West odds for the 2020 season, whenever that may occur.
*All Over/Under Win totals are subject to change due to Coronvirus. Over/Under Win Totals based on 162 game regular season*
Los Angeles Dodgers Odds and NL West Betting Preview
Los Angeles Dodgers Over/under: 100.5 wins
Los Angeles Dodgers Odds to win Division: -1000
Los Angeles Dodgers Odds to win League: +190
Los Angeles Dodgers Odds to win World Series: +400
The Los Angeles Dodgers come into 2020 as the best team in the National League, if not in the entire league – yet again. They are coming off seven straight NL West division titles, including 100-win seasons in two of the last three years.
The Dodgers won 104 games in 2017, “dropped” down to 92 wins in 2018, and skyrocketed all the way back up to 106 games last season. They have yet to turn that into postseason success, so they went out and made some moves this offseason.
The Dodgers made the league’s biggest splash this winter with a trade for Mookie Betts and David Price from the Red Sox. Betts, the 2018 AL MVP is one of the best outfielders in the league. He has averaged nearly 30 home runs and 100 RBI per 162 games in his career, while batting just over .300.
Adding Betts to an already lethal lineup seems unfair. The Dodgers still have 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Joc Pederson, as well as up-and-comers Gavin Lux and Will Smith. Their lineup is silly.
Their rotation is up there as well with Clayton Kershaw and Walker Beuhler as co-aces, with David Price, Alex Wood, and Julio Urias rounding out the five.
The Dodgers have all the makings of a 100-win team, so bet on the over 100.5 wins. I can definitely see them winning the division again and possibly taking that next step but try to bet on that during the season once their odds move in the bettor’s favor.
Arizona Diamondbacks odds and NL West Betting Preview
Arizona Diamondbacks Over/under: 82.5 wins
Arizona Diamondbacks Odds to win Division: +1200
Arizona Diamondbacks Odds to win League: +3000
Arizona Diamondbacks Odds to win World Series: +5000
While the Dodgers are still the cream of the crop in the NL West, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been sneaky good recently. They won 93 games in 2017, 82 games in 2018, and 85 games last season.
The Diamondbacks’ offseason moves weren’t quite as good as adding Betts and Price – and how could they be – but they made a few key additions of their own.
They added outfielders Starling Marte and Kole Calhoun, while picking up NL West veteran Madison Bumgarner to improve their rotation.
Arizona now has a pretty strong lineup with their two Martes – Starling and Ketel –, Eduoardo Escobar, Christian Walker, and David Peralta in the top half of the order.
The rotation doesn’t have many proven aces, but all five starters are around No. 3 starter level, giving them some nice depth.
The Diamondbacks have won at least 82 games in each of the past three seasons and I can’t see why that won’t happen again. Bet on the over 82.5 wins for the Diamondbacks.
San Diego Padres Odds and NL West Betting Preview
San Diego Padres Over/under: 81.5 wins
San Diego Padres Odds to win Division: +1200
San Diego Padres Odds to win League: +2200
San Diego Padres Odds to win World Series: +5000
The San Diego Padres are looking to reach the .500 mark for the first time since 2010. In fact, 2010 was the only season in the last 12 that the Padres won more than 77 games.
The Padres have made an effort to change that, however.
Last offseason, the team brought in prized free agent Manny Machado. This offseason, they traded for Tommy Pham and Trent Grisham. They also have young superstar in the making Fernando Tatis on the left side of the infield. In the rotation, Chris Paddack and Dinelson Lamet have upside as well.
The Padres could be competitive in a worse division, but the Dodgers and Diamondbacks are still above them. They may be able to finally reach .500, but I don’t see it. Bet on the under 81.5 wins for the Padres.
Colorado Rockies Odds and NL West Betting Preview
Colorado Rockies Over/under: 72.5 wins
Colorado Rockies Odds to win Division: +3300
Colorado Rockies Odds to win League: +7000
Colorado Rockies Odds to win World Series: +15000
The Colorado Rockies fell off a cliff last year. After climbing up the mountain with 68 wins in 2015, 75 in 2016, 87 in 2017 and all the way up to 91 in 2018, they fell back down to just 71 wins last season.
They didn’t make many moves this offseason, with their only rumored move being the disconnect in the front office between the team and superstar Nolan Arenado.
The Rockies can still hit, with the aforementioned Arenado as well as Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story at the top of the lineup. However, their pitching staff – especially in Coors Field – is suspect. Jon Gray and German Marquez may be able to hold the rotation down, but the rest of it is questionable.
With all of that being said, 72 wins is pretty low. They should be able to at least improve from last season by two wins given their bats, so bet on the over 72.5 wins here.
It’s an Even Year… So You Can Forget About the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants Over/under: 69.5 wins
San Francisco Giants Odds to win Division: +10000
San Francisco Giants Odds to win League: +12500
San Francisco Giants Odds to win World Series: +25000
The Giants. Oh, the Giants.
It is an even year, but it appears that their even year magic is over. The Giants have been under the .500 mark for the past three seasons, and it’s not looking any better heading into 2020. They won 64 games in 2017, 73 in 2018, and 77 in 2019.
The Giants are in full rebuild mode. Buster Posey is still hanging on as one of their key veterans, along with Brandon Belt, but even with them the lineup isn’t great. They also lost Madison Bumgarner to free agency, leaving a hole in their rotation.
It’s going to be a long summer in San Francisco. Bet on the under 69.5 wins here.
