MLB teams to fade in shortened 2020 season

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Every bettor knows this upcoming MLB season will be unlike any we've ever seen. But do you know how to exploit it? Some teams are perfectly suited for a 60-game sprint; others will suffer without a full season to get right.

Here are four teams we're fading ahead of the 2020 season:

New York Yankees

At full strength, this roster might be one of the most talented we've ever seen. But it isn't at full strength heading into the start of the season. Luis Severino won't take the mound this year, and Masahiro Tanaka could miss time after taking a liner to the head this week. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are coming off injuries and it could take a while for their timing to come around.

The Yankees are no stranger to injuries - they sent a record 30 players to the IL in 2019 - and they were also among the most profitable teams to bet against last year. Expect that to be the same this year, when minor injuries carry greater significance because of the short schedule. A slow start would quickly tank any bet over 37.5 wins.

Los Angeles Dodgers

It may feel like we're picking on the favorites here - which is also wise in a chaotic season - but the Dodgers in particular have been disappointing in the early stretch of recent years. If the campaign ended after 60 games, L.A. would have either missed the playoffs or been tied for the final wild-card spot in four of the last seven seasons.

A rash of unexplained absences is also worrisome for the Dodgers, who, like New York, can't afford an early stumble if they hope to reach the lofty goal of 37.5 wins. You can find much better value in a 60-game sprint.

Colorado Rockies

The past few years have actually been kind to the Rockies through the first 60 games - they've been over .500 each of the last three seasons. But those teams were also better than this year's group, which did virtually nothing this winter to improve upon last year's 71-win squad.

For Colorado to cash the over at 27 wins - an improvement over last year's record - it will have to overcome one of the league's toughest projected schedules. And that's if management decides against trading star Nolan Arenado, which could happen if the Rockies get off to a bad start - and they likely will.

Baltimore Orioles

No team has been more profitable to bet against in recent years than the Orioles, who have seemingly already punted on this chaotic season. Baltimore only tabbed 44 players for their initial 60-man player pool, and it left off most of its top prospects, who subsequently won't be joining the team for the early days of camp.

The Orioles' main bright spot from last year, Trey Mancini, will also miss all of 2020 for cancer treatment, and the rest of the team is easily the worst-equipped in MLB to handle the inevitability of injuries and positive tests. Even winning 21 games this year - which would barely clear Baltimore's win total of 20.5 - would be an improvement on the last two years. Don't expect a leap forward for this barren roster.

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.