Find Value in Longshots to Make the MLB Playoffs

The 2020 MLB season has yet to start, but bettors can get started early. Not long after the Washington Nationals won last year’s World Series, MLB futures for this season could be found. The usual suspects – the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Houston Astros – are among the favorites to win it all in 2020.

MUST SEE: 2020 MLB FUTURES | AMERICAN LEAGUE MVP

What about the longshots?

Remember, the Nationals were a huge underdog to become World Series champions a year ago. Who could it be in 2020? Here is how you can find some value longshot bets on MLB teams to make the postseason this year.

Playing It Safe

The Chicago White Sox are given +165 odds to make the playoffs after some serious offseason action. They upgraded in several areas including at first base and at catcher. Edwin Encarnacion and Yasmani Grandal were both acquired during free agency.

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Chicago also added potential 20-game winning pitcher Dallas Keuchel and traded for OF Nomar Mazara. And, don’t forget the White Sox play in the weak AL Central.

In the National League, the Cincinnati Reds added OF Nicholas Castellanos and 2B Mike Moustakos to add some meat to the Reds lineup. Pitchers Trevor Bauer and Wade Miley give Cincy two big-time starters. At +160 to make the postseason, the Reds are a safe underdog bet.

Not So Safe

The Texas Rangers finished third in the AL West last year. It will be hard to win a division with Houston in it, and overtaking Oakland will be no piece of cake.

The Rangers do have the pitching staff to do it though. Corey Kluber, Lance Lynn, Mike Minor, Kyle Gibson, and Jordan Lyles give Texas one of the stronger rotations in the majors. That rotation gives the Rangers at +325 some value.

Rockies Road 

In 2019, virtually everything went wrong for the Colorado Rockies. They lost all of their starting pitchers and ended up losing 91 games.

Jon Gray, German Marquez, and Kyle Freeland all return. Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon are two of the best hitters in the game, and SS Trevor Story and LF Sam Hilliard are future stars in the making.Pros and Cons of Betting on MLB Spring Training Games

Yes, the Rockies play in the difficult NL West, home of the Dodgers. L.A. is likely to win the division once again in 2020, but Colorado is an excellent value pick to win an NL wild card at +625.

Blue Jays In?

The Toronto Blue Jays lost 95 games last season, but they have a lineup full of young talent.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Cavan Biggio are future stars and the Blue Jays pitching staff was upgraded with the arrival of Hyun-Jin Ryu, Tanner Roark, and Chase Anderson.

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Toronto might be a year or two away from competing for the AL East crown on a yearly basis, but the same was said about Atlanta last season. Remember, the Braves made the playoffs after winning the NL East. The Blue Jays at +625 are worth hoping they do the same.

Pirates Play

Yes, they finished last in the NL Central, one of MLB’s most competitive divisions. The Cardinals, Cubs, Reds, and Brewers all seem like logical choices to win the division or at least capture a wild card. The Pittsburgh Pirates? Crazier things have happened.

Pittsburgh returns three studs that could carry the Pirates to a surprising finish in 2020.

Josh Bell hit 37 homers and had 116 RBIs. Kevin Newman and Bryan Reynolds both hit over .300. It just may be enough to overcome a mediocre pitching staff and at +750 yields an attractive payout if the Pirates make the postseason.