2020 MLB: National League Futures Bets

I am really looking forward to the start of Major League Baseball.  Maybe it’s the total lack of sports, or maybe this shortened 60-game season with the enhanced inter-league schedule and other facets of the game that have been streamlined. This has given tremendous values for futures bettors out there if you know what to look for in a baseball team.  In this article we will now look for value in the National League Pennant futures odds, as posted at Bovada Sportsbook.

I really think this short schedule will help the younger teams, as they are the ones that typically fade as the season wears on, and we get past the all-star break. But none of that will happen this season, and each team's shortfalls will not be as pronounced.  My future World Series bet in 2018 was the Red Sox which paid out nicely for me as I got in on that one in early spring training.  I fell just short with the Houston Astros last season, as they fell to the Washington Nationals, but that was one great series for viewers.

This season, I have circled a few bargains to be had at Bovada.  Let’s first start with the National League Pennant winner.  I have 3 top bets.  One is the Cincinnati Reds at 12-1.  I think Cincy's value is extremely high, as it made a lot of great moves in the offseason.  Another is the always-competitive St. Louis Cardinals at 11-1 odds.  The Cards always seem to be in contention at the end of the year but since this is a shortened season it does take away some value for me.  Last, but not least, on my NL Futures short list is the New York Mets at 9-1 odds at Bovada. 

The Mets are my #1 choice to win the National League overall at 9-1 odds with the key being their starting rotation.  Jacob DeGrom is a back to back Cy Young award winner and just a horse out there on the mound.  New York's #2 pitcher in this fantastic rotation is Marcus Stroman, who had a shaky first year with the Mets, but I look for him to bounce back. Rounding off their Top 3 is Rick Porcello.  Yes, he was a big-time flop in Boston but he would be a strong #2 on most pitching staffs.  I look for him and Michael Wacha to be effective at the back-end of the rotation, and keep the Mets in it all season and into the post season. I will be betting on the Mets as my BEST BET to win the National League pennant.  Good luck!