2020 MLB odds, AL Championship picks, predictions, futures: Model fading Angels to win pennant

SportsLine's advanced computer model simulated the entire 2020 MLB season 10,000 times.

By CBS Sports Staff

Apr 12, 2020 at 1:46 pm ET • 2 min read

The Houston Astros are looking to put the sign-stealing scandal behind them and challenge for their third American League pennant in four years. Houston allowed Gerrit Cole to sign with the New York Yankees this offseason, but still has an impressive roster that includes former AL MVP Jose Altuve, reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and 2019 AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez. Should you back the Astros given the latest 2020 AL Championship odds?

The addition of Cole makes the Yankees (+140) the early favorites to win the pennant in the latest American League Championship odds from William Hill. Before you make any American League Championship picks, be sure to see the latest MLB futures predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

This model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, and anyone who followed it last season saw huge returns. The model went 370-291 on its top-rated money line and run-line picks, returning more than $1,400 to $100 bettors.

Moreover, the model went a stunning 14-5 on its strongest MLB win total picks and 4-1 on its five best MLB over-under bets. Now, the model has crunched the numbers on the upcoming season and released its MLB picks to win the American League pennant in 2020. You can only see them at SportsLine.

Top 2020 American League Championship predictions

The model says the Los Angeles Angels are considerably overvalued at +900 in the latest AL Championship odds 2020, as they win the pennant in only 4.2 percent of simulations.

Los Angeles made a huge move this offseason, adding Anthony Rendon to a lineup that already includes three-time American League MVP Mike Trout and two-way star Shohei Ohtani, the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year. Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million contract in December after leading the majors with 126 RBIs last season and winning the World Series with Washington.

Although their batting lineup became more frightening, the Angels' starting rotation won't strike much fear into opposing hitters. They added Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran, who reached double-digit wins for the fifth time in his career last year, to the mix and expect to have Ohtani (Tommy John surgery) back on the mound at some point this season. However, that likely won't be enough to help a team that finished 12th in the AL with a 5.12 ERA last season.