World Series Odds, Post Betts Trade
On Tuesday night, the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins made a three-team trade that sent former MVP Mookie Betts to L.A. How did trade impact the 2020 World Series odds?
The Trade
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Tuesday night that the Dodgers were acquiring Betts and starter David Price from the Red Sox. While the deal is currently being held up due to concerns over pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol’s medical review, the trade is still likely to be completed at some point before the season. As part of the trade, the Dodgers sent starting pitching Kenta Maeda to the Twins and outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Red Sox, while Minnesota will be sending Graterol to Boston.
Dodgers World Series Odds
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com, the Dodgers are now 4/1 to win the 2020 World Series. Following last year’s Fall Classic, L.A. opened with 8/1 odds to win the World Series, so the Betts acquisition cannot be overstated when it comes to the Dodgers’ chances to win the World Series, at least in oddsmakers’ eyes. The Dodgers also opened with 3/1 odds to win the National League Pennant, but are now 9/5.
Red Sox World Series Odds
Boston opened with 12/1 odds to win the 2020 World Series but when the Betts rumors started to circulate over the winter, oddsmakers bumped the Red Sox to 20/1. Following the trade of Betts (or the soon-to-be trade of Betts), Boston is now a 60/1 long shot to win the World Series and is 30/1 to win the American League Pennant.
Updated 2020 World Series Odds
Despite acquiring Betts, the Dodgers still aren’t the favorites to win this year’s Fall Classic. That would be the Yankees, who have 7/2 odds to win it all this season. The Bronx Bombers will not only benefit from Betts no longer roaming outfields in the American League East, but also from their major acquisition of free agent starter Gerrit Cole.