The Covid-shortened MLB regular season is drawing to a close which means the final push for the coveted Commissioner’s Trophy is near. This will be a playoffs like we’ve never seen as eight American League teams and eight National League teams will contend. Let’s focus on the American League and look ahead at the teams that are expected to vie for the American League title.
To begin to understand this unique post-season, we must first figure out which teams will qualify. First, the three division winners get in. Barring an epic collapse, the Tampa Bay Rays will win the AL East. In the AL West, the Oakland A’s have all but wrapped things up. The AL Central is still up for grabs with Minnesota and Chicago in a first-place tie with Cleveland within striking range at two games back.
The runner up in each division will also qualify. That means the Yankees are assured a spot. The Astros are also poised to clinch the second spot in the AL West. As mentioned, the battle of the AL Central is still raging on. However, Chicago, Minnesota, and Cleveland are all guaranteed a post-season berth because the final two teams to qualify for the playoffs will be the two wild card teams.
Even if Cleveland drops its remaining four games and finishes third in the division, their record would still be good enough to qualify as the wild card. That leaves Toronto as the overwhelming favorite to sneak into the eighth and final spot.
So, let’s see what the bookmakers have to say about each team’s chances of winning the 2020 World Series.
Tampa Bay Rays +700
It looks as if the Rays are going to end the shortened season with the AL’s best record. This is promising for anyone who bet on them at +1800 before the season started. If you are tempted to bet on them at this stage, you can still get some pretty good value at +700. A first round matchup against Toronto would be an interesting best-of-three series. Tampa won the regular season series 6 games to 4.
Oakland Athletics +1000
Oakland started the year at +2500 to win the World Series. They capitalized on a good start and continued that trend into August. Oakland has been very good at home, but their win/loss record on the road leaves something to be desired. Still, the team has the fourth-best record in the AL heading into the closing days of the regular season. With bookmakers having them priced at +1000, they are sure to generate some interest.
Chicago White Sox +1000
There was a fair amount of hype surrounding the White Sox after the team made some aggressive off-season moves. The team is where it is thanks to an 18-6 run in late August and mid September. However, their fortunes have reversed. With only four games to go, Chicago has picked a terrible time to cool off having lost five of their last six games. If they can shake that off, a +1000 bet to win it all still has some value.
New York Yankees +600
The Yankees always have high hopes and this year was no different as bookmakers set their odds of winning the World Series at +350 entering the season. Even though they’re headed to the big dance, their season was mildly underwhelming. They have been money on at home, but their play on the road has been uninspiring. If you still have faith in them, getting a perennial contender at +600 isn’t a terrible bet.
MLB World Series Winners 2020: Best Bookmakers (American League)
Minnesota Twins +1200
Another team that made no secret of their intention to make a championship run, the Minnesota Twins have powered their way to a post-season berth by turning it up a notch through September. After their World Series odds opened at +1400, bookmakers are now offering them at +1200.
Cleveland Indians +2000
Things were looking rather dire for Cleveland in early to mid September thanks to an eight game skid. It’s a good thing they had a decent start to the season or they wouldn’t be in the conversation. They have recovered nicely winning six of their last seven. Having Shane Bieber top a strong pitching rotation bodes well.
Houston Astros +2500
Bookmakers obviously overestimated the much maligned Astros when they hung a favorable +550 beside their name in the preseason. Houston has been tough at home, but they are a sub-.500 team on the road and are now listed at +2500.
Toronto Blue Jays +4000
The longest of the long-shots in the AL, Toronto has played about as well as many people expected. That is to say, they are playing .500 ball. However, they are in total disarray to close out the season after enduring an ill-timed 6-game losing streak. Those +4000 odds aren’t quite as tempting as their +6600 pre-season odds, but it’s still an interesting proposition.