• Bookies
  • MLB
  • MLB Picks
  • 4 Chicago Cubs Prop Bets To Back Going Into 2020 Season

4 Chicago Cubs Prop Bets To Back Going Into 2020 Season

Adam Thompson for Bookies.com

Adam Thompson  | 4 mins

4 Chicago Cubs Prop Bets To Back Going Into 2020 Season

The Chicago Cubs are no longer the lovable losers, but a perennial powerhouse that won the World Series in 2016 and had advanced to the postseason four straight years. A slip last year found them on the outside looking in.

Still, the Cubs won 84 games in their “down” season and bring back their core of starters for at least one more big-time run before free-agency decisions must be made.

Bookies.com reveals four MLB futures best bets for the Chicago Cubs’ 2020 MLB season.

Prop BetOdds
Kris Bryant — Most Runs Scored +2800
Bet it at Unibet
Craig Kimbrel — Most Saves +900
Bet it at DraftKings
Yu Darvish — NL Cy Young Award +2500
Bet it at BetMGM
Cubs — Win National League pennant +1400
Bet it at FanDuel

Kris Bryant — Most Runs Scored (+2800)

Bryant has been the No. 2 hitter in the lineup for the Cubs the last four seasons. Three of those years he managed at least 108 runs scored, including a league-leading 121 in 2016.

New manager David Ross is smartly putting their best scorer and top baserunner into the top spot this year, a seemingly easy decision that former manager Joe Maddon couldn’t grasp. If Bryant can manage 120-plus runs as the No. 2 hitter, we can expect around the same, or better, for 2020.

With Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber behind him in the order, Bryant is going to be rounding the bases with regularity, and we’re getting great odds. Take Bryant to win the runs title at Unibet .

Craig Kimbrel — Most Saves (+900)

4 Chicago Cubs Prop Bets To Back Going Into 2020 Season 1

Last year, Kimbrel converted 13 of 16 save attempts for the Cubs. But it wasn’t easy and the season was mostly a bust, signified best by his shocking 6.53 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 23 appearances. He allowed nine homers in just 20.2 innings.

But we’re absolutely calling that season a fluke. Only one other time in his nine-year career had his ERA been higher than 2.74 (and that was at 3.40). He had just three blown saves, and yet he’s allowed 3.7 blown saves per season the last seven years in nearly three times as many games per year.

In other words, Kimbrel should re-find his form, and he’ll get the opportunities on a team likely to win its fair share of games. The Cubs’ placement in the tough NL Central likely means a lot of close games, which means more save opportunities. Take Kimbrel to lead MLB in saves at DraftKings.

Yu Darvish — NL Cy Young Award (+2500)

4 Chicago Cubs Prop Bets To Back Going Into 2020 Season 2

For the most part, Darvish hasn’t played up to the $22 million salary the Cubs shelled out for him each year. He’s just 7-11 in his two seasons with Chicago.

But he has the tools to be a Cy Young contender. He’s done it before. In seven seasons, he’s a four-time All-Star. Darvish even finished second in the AL Cy Young vote in 2013 after leading the majors in strikeouts (losing the award to Max Scherzer — no shame in that).

While Darvish has struggled to get on track in the Windy City, the second half of his 2019 season gives hope. Over his last 11 starts, Darvish managed a 2.76 ERA, with 118 strikeouts and just 59 hits and seven walks allowed. He averaged nearly eight innings per start in that span.

If he picks up where he left off, he’s in the conversation. A shortened season allows for a dark horse, and Yu should get run support. Find Darvish to win the NL Cy Young at BetMGM.



Cubs — Win National League pennant (+1400)

The Cubs are going to have the lineup. They might have the best 1-4 hitters in the National League. They’ll also have a veteran rotation of steady arms, with Darvish, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Jon Lester in the rotation. A shorter season will certainly benefit those aging group of hurlers. Kimbrel in his usual form will be critical.

The Cubs are just +210 to win the NL Central, the lowest odds of any team, but it’s a four-horse race. The Cubs can win the division or secure a wild card spot. After that, anything can happen. It won’t be easy getting past the Dodgers or any number of teams coming out of the East, but crazier things have happened. Take the Cubs to win the NL at FanDuel .

About the Author

Adam Thompson for Bookies.com
Adam Thompson
NFL writer and expert Adam Thompson joined Bookies.com in 2019 after a successful run as senior handicapper for SportsLine and CBSSports.com. He's long been established as one of the nation's premier handicappers, specializing in the NFL where he's hit on more than 60% over the past three years. Adam's NBA, PGA and horse racing picks have also produced major winners over the last 12 months. His customized NFL and NBA odds for players and teams have been picked up by hundreds of websites over the past year.