For seven straight seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers have dominated the National League “NL” West Division. Oddmakers think the ‘Men in Blue’ will make it eight in a row making the Dodgers a heavy -800 favorite to win again.
It’s easy to see why Los Angeles is favored in 2020’s NL west division. They added the former AL MVP Mookie Betts to the lineup and added to their already outstanding pitching staff. For bettors, the question is “can anybody beat the Dodgers?” There just might be a way to profit from a Dodgers collapse.
The Favorite
Even before the trade that netted the Dodgers Betts and left-handed pitcher David Price, Los Angeles was the favorite to win the West division, opposing pitchers must face former Rookie of the Year and reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger (47 HR, 115 RBI), Joc Pederson (36 HR, 74 RBI), Max Muncy (35 HR, 98 RBI), Justin Turner (.290, 27 HR), and another former Rookie of the Year in SS Corey Seager (.272, 19 HR, 87 RBI).
Now, the Dodgers add Betts who hit .295 and smacked 29 homers last year in Boston. The pitching staff is outstanding as well with three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler (14-4 last year), Price, Alex Wood, and Julio Urias.
It’s the Dodgers’ division to lose in 2020.
The Threat
Arizona went 85-77 last year, but they will still have a tough time closing the gap on the Dodgers. With a nice core of Starling Marte, Ketel Marte, Nick Ahmed, and Eduardo Escobar; the Diamondbacks could pull the upset.
What really makes them a contender is the pitching rotation. Yes, the D-backs traded Zack Greinke, but they acquired former Giant Madison Bumgarner. He will go nicely with Kole Calhoun, and Stephen Vogt. Don’t forget, Arizona also has relievers Hector Rondon and Junior Guerra.
In making MLB betting picks in 2020, the Diamondbacks will win their fair share of games. If the Dodgers run into trouble, Arizona would make a nice payday at +800 to win the NL West.
The Real Value Pick
The San Francisco Giants simply don’t have enough firepower to entertain the idea of a division title in 2020. Bettors can forget about the Giants at +4500.
The Rockies have a nice core in Colorado of Trevor Story (.294, 35 HR), Nolan Arenado (.315, 41 HR, 118 RBI), Charlie Blackmon (.314, 32 HR), and Ryan McMahon (24 HR, 83 RBI). The problem for the Rockies is once you get past German Marquez and Jon Gray, the pitching staff is weak. At +2800, picking the Rockies is enticing but probably not wise.
Where the value is at is in San Diego. Most MLB consensus picks have SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (.317, 22 HR, 53 RBI) as the next superstar at the position. The Padres are deep too. Eric Hosmer hit .265 with 22 homers and 99 RBIs last year. Manny Machado (32 HR, 85 RBI) is another Padres star and Tommy Pham (.273, 21 HR, 68 RBI) comes over from Tampa Bay.
If the Padres pitching can keep the team in games, San Diego has a chance to be the surprise of the National League. At +950, the Padres are the real value bet in the NL West race.
