Before World Series Hopes, Phillies Have To Escape The Group Of Death First
When the Philadelphia Phillies open up their 2020 season, it will be against a friendly foe. The (somehow) pesky Miami Marlins.
However, the Marlins may be the weakest team the Phillies face this season. Even though we lose to them all the time.
Due to Covid-19, the MLB has rearranged the league to play only divisional games & the division closest to them in the opposite league. For the Phillies, it is the AL East.
This season the Phillies will only play against the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rays, Orioles, Mets, Nationals, Marlins, & Braves. Which has been named the group of death with 6-teams in the Top10 odds to win the World Series.
Currently, the Phillies sit last in that group of 6-teams with the 10th best odds to win the World Series. (+2600 according to oddschecker)
But, before they try to achieve a World Series title, they must break out of that group of death.
The 2020 playoffs will be the same format as previous seasons. Each division winner will get one spot & the top two wild card teams in each league will fight it out in a “play-in” game for the last spot.
For the Phillies, that means winning the NL East or finish in a wild card spot to get into the “play-in” game. But, bettors don’t seem to have that much faith in the 10th overall odds holder to make it there.
Entering the season, the Phillies are picked to finish 3rd in the NL East. Which is one position higher than their odds are right now to win the NL East. (+350 according to oddschecker)
“Much of the Phillies’ success this year will depend on what they get out of their starting pitching. We know Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, Jean Segura and the rest of the bats will be ready to play; but what can we expect from the arms? If Aaron Nola can return to his 2018 form and Zach Wheeler is a true No. 2, that takes pressure off guys like Jake Arrieta and Zach Efflin. If their starting pitching is strong in a shortened 60-game season, the Phillies could surprise some people and represent decent value at +2600 to win the thing” – Oddschecker Pete Watt
With a shortened season, if the Phillies can get off to a hot start with their first 5-games at home before hitting the road for 8-straight, it could mean the difference between a long-fight to just make the playoffs or a boosted start to a long run.
Depending on their first 10-13 games, the Phillies +2600 odds to win the World Series could be greatly effected in either direction. But, the +2600 odds is great value at the moment for 6th best team in the group of death.