– Last Updated on April 6, 2020 11:30 am
MLB BASEBALL FUTURES ODDS – 2020 AL West PREDICTIONS
Looking for 2020 AL West Predictions? The Astros still represent the establishment out West, according to the oddsmakers. But the A’s and Angels aren’t going to make a fourth consecutive division crown easy for Houston.
MLB Predictions – 2020 AL West Handicapping Insight
Here’s a closer look at the 2020 AL West.
Houston Astros 2020 AL West Predictions
Houston Astros AL West Division Odds: -175
Astros Win Total Odds: 97.5
World Series Odds: +1000
Two of the Astros‘ last three seasons have ended in the World Series; the other came up short in the American League Championship Series. They were the AL West Division champions in all three.
But this season, Houston will have to play fair. The Astros’ cheating scandal was the talk of Spring Training before coronavirus wiped sports from everyone’s collective conscience.
Opponents and fans alike are not likely to forget, nor forgive the Astros for their transgressions once the games finally do begin, however.
As if every opponent coming at the Astros with all their strength won’t be enough for the reigning AL champs to overcome in 2020, Houston will take on this season without its manager and ace of the staff.
Losing Gerrit Cole looms large, especially if Justin Verlander can’t just continue churning out 200-plus innings a season forever. But the loss of Hinch hurts, especially when you consider Houston had to go the diplomatic route and hire Dusty Baker, who may simply not be cut out for this anymore at his advanced age.
Oakland Athletics 2020 AL West Predictions
Oakland Athletics AL West Division Odds: +300
Athletics Win Total Odds: 91.5
World Series Odds: +3500
The Athletics are the team I’m buying. I’ve liked them for a few years now but they were just never able to get over the hump, which has been the gold standard in the American League.
But this team is young with a nice cast of veterans and hungry to make 2020 its year.
A couple nice arm pieces may just push the A’s over the top this season. Jesus Luzardo is a front-runner to win the AL’s Rookie of the Year and Bob Melvin will look to carve out a role for AJ Puk, either as a starter or reliever.
Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas are both decent long-shots to win the Cy Young and all the pitchers on the staff have the benefit of a superb defense behind them.
Matt Chapman and Marcus Semien started getting the sort of national attention they deserve last year but it won’t be until this season they fully break into the spotlight (at least as much as an Athletic can).
Los Angeles Angels 2020 AL West Predictions
Los Angeles Angels AL West Division Odds: +600
Angels Win Total Odds: 83.5
World Series Odds: +4000
I tend to believe all three of the top teams in the West are closer than the win totals suggest.
Los Angeles has a top-heavy roster with Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Shohei Ohtani, as good as hitting trio as there is in the game. Ohtani is an offensive powerhouse who just hasn’t yet had the advantage of finishing a season fully healthy.
If the season is only, say, 81 games, chances of Ohtani and Trout playing a full season go up; Albert Pujols may even produce at a better clip over a less demanding regular season; and the Angels may be able to patch together some arms for a season-long sprint.
The lack of pitching would have me a lot more skeptical about the Angels over 162 games than however many they end up playing, once it’s determined.
Texas Rangers AL West Division Odds: +1600
Rangers Win Total Odds: 75.5
World Series Odds: +12500
Some liken the Rangers to having a shot in the division this season, as indicated by the modest +1600 price.
I don’t see it. The pitching might be okay this season but it’s going to have to carry an offense and defensive arrangement that just don’t stack up to what either the Astros or Athletics have.
I’d be willing to give odds on the Rangers.
Seattle Mariners AL West Division Odds: +6600
Mariners Win Total Odds: 66.5
World Series Odds: +50000
Only the Orioles, Tigers and Marlins have worse World Series odds than the Mariners.
CappersPicks.com 2020 AL West Predictions
Can’t play the Astros at that price. I’m buying Oakland and Oakland only, though I don’t believe the investment offers as good a return over half a season as it would over 162 games.
What do you think of our 2020 AL West predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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