Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox World Series 2020 Odds Amid Sign-Stealing Scandal, Managerial Firings

MLB’s sign-stealing scandal has cost two of the last three World Series winning managers their jobs. The Houston Astros have fired A.J. Hinch, who helped the team win the 2017 title and reach Game 7 of the 2019 World Series. Alex Cora is gone from the Boston Red Sox just 15 months after winning the 2018 championship as a rookie manager.

What does this mean for each team’s chances of winning the 2020 World Series? Houston is still considered to be among the favorites, but Boston is somewhat of a long shot to compete for a title.

FanDuel Sportsbook gives the Astros +550 World Series odds in the wake of Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow both being fired and suspended for the season. Only the New York Yankees (+350) are given a better chance to win the Fall Classic. Houston is ahead of the National League favorite Los Angeles Dodgers (+600) and defending champion Washington Nationals (+1400).

The Yankees have separated themselves as the clear favorites in the American League, though that has nothing to do with the Astros needing a new manager. New York’s odds have improved since the offseason began because they signed Gerrit Cole, who had been Houston’s best player.

No one in baseball achieved more success than Hinch and the Astros from 2017-2019. Houston won more than 100 games each year with three ALCS appearances and seven World Series game victories.

Either the Astros or Red Sox eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs in each of the last three postseasons.

It’s a bit of a different story for Boston, who followed a 108-win season in 2018 with an 84-78 record in 2019. The Red Sox missed the playoffs and haven’t signed any major free agents this winter. There are reports that Boston is looking to unload Mookie Betts or another one of its high-priced stars, making them an unlikely World Series contender in 2020.

But unlike the Astros, the Red Sox have seen their championship odds change in 2020. Boston’s odds have gone from +2200 to +2500 in recent days.

Twelve teams have better World Series odds than the Red Sox. The Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays (+2100), Minnesota Twins (+2200) and Cleveland Indians (+2400) are all ahead of Boston in the AL. The Oakland Athletics (+2800) are right behind the Red Sox.

MLB is still investigating the Red Sox for their alleged illicit use of the replay room in the 2018 season.