MLB FUTURES REPORT (SEPTEMBER 2, 2020)
The favorites
Los Angeles Dodgers (+350): As advertised, the stacked Dodgers are rolling in the shortened season and have a healthy lead in the NL West over the surging Padres. With the most complete team in baseball on paper, the Dodgers justifiably stood pat at the trade deadline.
New York Yankees (+450): Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are banged up and the Yankees have fallen behind the Rays in the AL East. They still have plenty of depth in that lineup to go along with a potentially dominant pitching staff, but it’s surprising that the rich franchise didn’t pursue another arm at the deadline.
The contenders
Oakland Athletics (+1000): After opening the shortened season with +2000 odds to win the World Series, the A’s have crept up to +1000 while becoming the first AL team to reach 20 wins. They added veteran lefty Mike Minor and infielder Tommy La Stella to provide Bob Melvin with more chess pieces.
Atlanta Braves (+1100): Finally past the mostly idle Marlins in the NL East standings, the Braves appear to be in line for a division title. Their starting rotation has been a disaster, however, and their only move to fix that issue was acquiring LHP Tommy Milone, who owns a 4.51 career ERA.
Houston Astros (+1400): The Astros appear to have righted the ship and are gaining on the A’s in the AL West. They stood pat at the deadline and will look to ride what is still a very impressive starting rotation into the postseason.
Chicago Cubs (+1400): The Cubs are also on the rise after opening the season with +2500 odds to win the World Series. They added bullpen depth by acquiring lefty relievers Andrew Chafin and Jose Osich, and will hope that Jose Martinez and Cameron Maybin can add more right-handed pop to their lineup.
Minnesota Twins (+1400): While the Twins are mashing on a level comparable to their record-setting 2019 campaign, the AL Central has grown stronger with both the Indians and White Sox jockeying for the division crown.
Cleveland Indians (+1600): The contending Indians dealt budding ace Mike Clevinger to the Padres after he violated team rules last month. They received six players in return, including three prospects and RHP Cal Quantrill.
The biggest movers
Tampa Bay Rays (+700): A condensed schedule seems to benefit the Rays with their excellent bullpen and youthful rotation. They’ve moved into first in the AL East and pushed their World Series odds up from +1500 to +700 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Tampa let DH Jose Martinez go at the deadline, adding LHP Cody Reed and OF Brett Phillips.
Chicago White Sox (+1400): Behind a CY Young-caliber season from Lucas Giolito, the White Sox are in the mix for a division title and have seen their odds rise from +4000 to +1400 through six weeks of play. They added speedster Jarrod Dyson at the deadline.
San Diego Padres (+1600): The exciting young Padres added a potential ace in Clevinger along with eight other players (including RHP Trevor Rosenthal and 1B Mitch Moreland) while dealing five top prospects at the deadline. They had opened the season with +6000 odds and were sitting at +2500 prior to their aggressive deadline moves.