Major League Baseball was the first professional sport to return amid the pandemic, with a shortened season that began Thursday.
While the return of professional sports is a treat for fans, it is also exciting for those who gamble on sports. DraftKings is taking bets on who will win the 2020 World Series, with the New York Yankees leading the pack.
“They had a great team that won 103 or 104 games last year. They go out and get Gerrit Cole, you add more firepower to a stick of dynamite. It makes them even more powerful,” says Johnny Avello, head of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Avello says that other trends include the New York Mets being the most bet on team to win the National League East and Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper the most bet on to win the National League MVP.
Avello also says that when it comes to setting the line for regular season wins, this season will be unique.
“For those season wins this year, for the Mets we put up 32.5 total wins out of 60 games and for the Yankees it's 37.5. So, think about that – 37.5 out of 60 games. You better start off strong. If you start off light, it will be a struggle to get there,” he says.
Avello says that after relying on UFC, golf and NASCAR the past few months, it is exciting to see the core sports return. He says that oddsmakers will continue to adapt to the pandemic world.
“The exciting thing about 60 games is that one or two games are just going to be so important,” Avello says.
The MLB on Thursday expanded the playoffs from 10 teams to 16.