Less than 24 hours out from Game 1, there is no better time than now to preview the 2020 Major League Baseball World Series. With both sides advancing after thrilling Game 7 victories, the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers will face off in baseball’s decider.
The Dodgers are going to the World Series for the third time in four years and are the deserved -200 favourites to claim their first championship since 1988. The Rays will enter the decider as +160 underdogs, as they look to claim their first World Series Championship in franchise history.
Prior to the commencement of the revised 2020 Major League Baseball season in June, the Dodgers had preseason odds of +375, making them the co-favourites for the World Series title, along with the New York Yankees. Los Angeles remained at the top of odds throughout the shortened regular season, as they secured a league best 43-17 record. The Dodgers became just the eighth team to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a League Championship Series and advance to their 21st World Series.
Unlike the Dodgers who have been wire to wire favourites, the Tampa Bay Rays have been underdogs from the beginning, with preseason odds of +2000 in June. Even after recording the most wins in the American League as a result of their 40-20 regular season, it took a 2-0 lead against the Houston Astros in their League Championship Series, to earn World Series favouritism at +135.
Ahead of Game 1, the correct series score market heavily favours Los Angeles. With Dodgers 4-1 (+350), Dodgers 4-2 (+360) and Dodgers 4-3 (+450) the three most favoured options. Contrastingly the shortest odds available for the Rays are +500 for Tampa Bay to win it in seven games.
Despite trailing 2-0 in their recent League Championship Series, the Dodgers are -180 to take out Game 1, with a -1.5 handicap. The Dodgers have loaded their roster with talent in the hope of breaking the 32 year World Series drought. Adding stars like former AL MVP Mookie Betts and former NL MVPs Cody Bellinger and Clayton Kershaw as they look to capture that elusive championship.
World Series Schedule:
Best-of-seven series; All Games in Arlington, Texas
Oct. 20: Game 1: Rays at Dodgers
Oct. 21: Game 2: Rays at Dodgers
Oct. 23: Game 3: Dodgers at Rays
Oct. 24: Game 4: Dodgers at Rays
Oct. 25: Game 5: Dodgers at Rays (if necessary)
Oct. 27: Game 6: Rays at Dodgers (if necessary)
Oct. 28: Game 7: Rays at Dodgers (if necessary)
*Odds are correct at time of publication.
Are you interested in learning more about what other MLB odds are on offer? Then you are in luck, make sure you check out our MLB hub page today!
Image by: Arturo Pardavila III
