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2020 MLB Philadelphia Phillies World Series Odds & Picks

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

Health is the Biggest 2020 Concern
for the Philadelphia Phillies Entering

It’s been nine years since the Philadelphia Phillies last made the playoffs or even finished the season with a winning record. The front office has tried to make Philadelphia competitive once again, doling out over $700 million to free agents the last few years, but the Phillies have yet to find the winning formula.

The Phillies splurged last offseason, signing Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, and David Robertson to large contracts, but injuries derailed this team. McCutchen only played in 59 games in 2019 after tearing his ACL, Robertson pitched less than seven innings and will miss the entire 2020 campaign as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, and 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta was shut down early due to an elbow injury. Philadelphia is hoping its high-priced free agents will stay healthy this season.

2020 Philadelphia Phillies World Series
Betting Online Odds at DraftKings: +2000

Odds provided by DraftKings (IA, IN, NJ, PA & WV only)
Subject to Change - T&C's Apply, 21+

2020 Philadelphia Phillies Season
World Series Odds Overview

The Phillies are in the next tier of contenders after the Dodgers, Yankees, and Astros. They are tied with the Cardinals and Rays as the teams with the seventh-lowest odds to win the World Series at DraftKings, but they have the misfortune of playing in the NL East. Four of the five teams in this division are legitimate World Series contenders, and at least one of these teams won’t make the postseason.

National League East

Philadelphia is in an unenviable position in that NL East foursome. The Phillies rank behind the Braves, Nationals, and Mets in their odds to win the NL East, and all three teams have had more success in recent years than this organization.

Atlanta won the NL East last season and has three of the best young talents in the game in Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Mike Soroka. Washington won its first World Series title last year, and the Nationals have two aces in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg alongside one of the top young hitters in the game in Juan Soto. Finally, the Mets boast the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner (Jacob deGrom) and last year’s NL Rookie of the Year (Pete Alonso). That will make it difficult to get out of this division.

On the Hill

Aaron Nola has been the Phillies’ best pitcher for the last two seasons. Nola emerged as the staff’s ace in 2018, going 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA and 0.975 WHIP, but he regressed mightily in 2019. He was 12-7 with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.265 WHIP, yet his K/9 increased from 9.5 to 10.2, and he faced more batters than any other pitcher in the NL. Nola’s home/road splits are something to keep an eye on in 2020. In 19 home starts, he threw 117.1 innings and posted a 2.91 ERA, while in 15 road starts, he finished with a 5.19 ERA in 85 innings of work.

The Phillies added Zack Wheeler from the rival Mets in the offseason to shore up a rotation that has failed to deliver. Wheeler has been an above average pitcher during his time in the majors, but he has yet to follow through on the promise he initially showed. He threw a career-high 195.1 innings last season, averaging a strikeout an inning, and the Phillies are optimistic that they can better those numbers after investing heavily in pitching analytics this offseason.

Jake Arrieta could provide a ton of value as the team’s third starter, and Zach Eflin and Vince Velasquez will round out the rotation. Hector Neris will be the closer once more after posting a 2.93 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP in 67.2 innings last season.

At the Plate

Bryce Harper didn’t have a stellar first season in the City of Brotherly Love. After signing a massive 13-year, $330 million contract, he failed to finish with an OPS over .900, and he struck out a career-high 178 times. Harper is entering the prime of his career, and Philadelphia needs the six-time All-Star to hit like he did in Washington to break its playoff drought.

The Phillies rolled the dice with McCutchen last offseason, and the signing was paying off until the veteran outfielder suffered a season-ending injury. McCutchen was second on the team with an .834 OPS in 59 games, and his .378 OBP was tops on the team. If he can return to form, that will boost a Philadelphia lineup that has some decent pop.

Rhys Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto, and Scott Kingery are all solid hitters, and the addition of Didi Gregorius is an upgrade since it will move Jean Segura over to second base.

2020 Philadelphia Phillies World Series Projection

There are too many what-ifs surrounding a team with somewhat low odds of 20-1. At 30-1, the Phillies would be worth some money, but it’s not worth backing Philadelphia at this price.

2020 Philadelphia Phillies World Series Free Pick:
Wait for the right price to rise before betting on the Phillies to win it all


Odds provided by DraftKings (IA, IN, NJ, PA & WV only)
Subject to Change - T&C's Apply, 21+

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