Call To The Pen is checking in with ‘The Action Network’ to find value on Win Total Over/Unders for the 2020 MLB season.
After a few years of a dull Hot Stove Season, this off-season has been a crazy one with record deals, stars staying put and changing teams, and trades. There is still plenty of action to be had with quality free agents and teams scanning the trade market. Looking ahead, spring training is coming and then the 2020 MLB season will be back in full swing.
Our partner, The Action Network, provides us with the latest over/under totals to bet on. These numbers will continue to shift as the off-season progresses but there can be value in betting these lines early before more signings or trades. Here are the best value lines available before the start of the new year.
Washington Nationals O/U 86.5 – OVER
The NL East is going to be a blood bath this year with 4 teams going for it and the Marlins. The Nats pulled themselves out of an early hole to win 93 games on their way to a World Series Title. The initial line was at 89.5 but has gone down to 86.5 after losing Anthony Rendon to the Angels. Carter Kieboom will soften the loss of Rendon and the rotation is still anchored by Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin. How many leads the bullpen blows will determine where their final win total lies, but the Nationals will be in playoff contention throughout the year. Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Trea Turner make up a solid Nationals position player core that will push the Nats to another postseason appearance.
Arizona Diamondbacks O/U 80.5 – OVER
Mike Hazen has done an incredible job of retooling this team on the fly. Despite dealing Zack Greinke at the deadline, the Dbacks still won 85 games and were in it till the last weekend. The Dodgers remain the only sure thing in NL West. The Padres should be better, the Giants will probably be worse, who knows what’s going on in Colorado. They signed Madison Bumgarner to a 5-year deal to complement an already solid team. The Dbacks still have more talent from the farm on the way so they should only get better as the 2020 MLB season goes on.
Pittsburgh Pirates O/U 73.5 – UNDER
Neal Huntington is out, Ben Cherington is in, and the Pirates are still cheap. The Pirates only won 69 games last year while going for it. This year the Reds are indicating they want to win now in addition to the Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers so wins will be at a premium for a Pirates team prime to take a step back. Starling Marte is likely to be traded and anyone else of value will be in play by the deadline, further weakening the team. Cherington has built Red Sox teams through the draft so He’ll want the draft/international bonus pool to be as high as possible.