2020 MLB Miami Marlins World Series Odds & Picks

The Miami Marlins: Rebuilding Since 2003

Derek Jeter was supposed to bring respectability to baseball in south Florida. The perennially floundering Miami Marlins have not made the postseason since 2003, and the franchise has yet to post a winning record this decade. When a new ownership group with Jeter as the face bought the team from Jeffrey Loria in September 2017, that was supposed to change. However, the Marlins have bottomed out instead, winning just 120 games over the last two seasons.

Miami is expected to be one of the worst teams in baseball again in 2020. The Marlins’ season win total was listed at 64.5 at FanDuel prior to the season being postponed due to the coronavirus, and they are tied with a few other franchises as the teams with the longest odds to win the World Series at 500/1.

2020 Miami Marlins World Series Betting Online Odds at FanDuel
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2020 Miami Marlins Season World Series Odds Overview

The Marlins might be the most unlikely team to win the World Series this season. Miami has the lowest payroll of any team in the National League, and the front office continues to deal its top talents. This team has cratered since dealing 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich, and the prospects the Marlins have received over the last few years have largely been underwhelming.

National League East

The other four teams in the NL East are all expected to contend for the division title. The Mets, Braves, Nationals, and Phillies all had win totals listed between 85.5 and 90.5 before the regular season was postponed, and all four of those teams have bona fide stars that have the potential to carry them to a World Series title.

On the Hill

Sandy Alcantara posted a 6-14 record last season, but he is the unofficial ace of the staff after finishing last year with a 3.88 ERA and a 109 ERA+. Alcantara was the only starter on the team to finish with an ERA+ north of 100, and the future is bright for the 24-year-old. He was a bit wild with 81 walks in 197.1 innings of work in 2019, and the Marlins are optimistic that is something he can work out.

Sandy Alcantara and the Marlins may be headed to a last place finish in the NL East.
Sandy Alcantara and the Marlins may be headed to a last place finish in the NL East. (AP)

There is a lot of buzz about Caleb Smith. Smith rung up 168 strikeouts in 153.1 innings of work last season, and he was the only pitcher on Miami to record at least 10 wins. He has a 9.9 K/9 in his three-year career, but he could be hurt by the team’s decision to move the fences in centerfield and right centerfield closer to the plate. Smith allowed an NL high 33 home runs in 2019, posting a whopping 1.9/9 HR rate.

Pablo Lopez, Jordan Yamamoto, and Elieser Hernandez are projected to round out the rotation, while Jose Urena and Brandon Kintzler are the top arms in the bullpen. Urena was a starter for part of last season before moving into the bullpen, while Kintzler was acquired from the Cubs to bolster the depth in relief.

At the Plate

Miami’s big signing in the offseason was Jonathan Villar. Villar was an above average hitter with Baltimore last season, posting a 109 OPS+ while hitting a career-high 24 home runs and stealing 40 bags. He was one of the few bright spots on an Orioles team bereft of talent in 2019, and he will give Miami fans something to cheer about in 2020.

Brian Anderson struggled in the first half of last season, but he finished strong. His best years are still ahead of him at the age of 26, and he has launched 20 home runs in two of the last three seasons. Anderson makes good contact with the ball, but he needs to improve when facing left-handed pitchers. He hit .232 with six home runs and 12 RBIs in 112 at-bats against southpaws last year.

Jesus Aguilar had a dismal 2019 campaign. Aguilar hit .236 and could only hit 12 home runs after cranking 35 home runs and finishing with over 100 RBIs in 2018. He was able to limit his strikeout rate though, so Miami is hoping he can rebound this season.

2020 Miami Marlins World Series Projection

The Marlins have only made the postseason twice in their 27-year history, but they won the World Series both times they went to the playoffs. That’s the most curious track record in baseball, but it’s highly unlikely they accomplish either feat in 2020.

2020 Miami Marlins World Series Free Pick

Not a chance at FanDuel