The Cubs have easily been Chicago’s best baseball team over the last five years, but the White Sox are surging up 2020 oddsboards thanks to a transformative offseason featuring the additions of Yasmani Grandal, Nomar Mazara, Dallas Keuchel and Edwin Encarnacion. The Cubs still have better odds than the White Sox in the 2020 World Series, division and win total betting markets, but it’s clear the gap between the teams is closing. Here’s where those odds stand at William Hill as of Jan. 6. ## Cubs vs. White Sox 2020 betting numbers <table class="wp-block-table"><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>World Series</th><th>Division</th><th>Wins</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Cubs</td><td>16/1</td><td>2/1</td><td>86.5</td></tr><tr><td>White Sox</td><td>50/1</td><td>3/1</td><td>84</td></tr></tbody></table> The World Series odds discrepancy sticks out, though it isn’t as stark at every book. At the Westgate, for instance, the Cubs are 30/1 to win it all, while the White Sox are 40/1. In addition to the big league talent they acquired, the White Sox also locked top centerfield prospect Luis Robert into a long-term contract extension last week, ensuring he’ll be on the Opening Day roster. The Cubs, on the other hand, haven’t done much of anything this offseason outside of replacing Joe Maddon with David Ross. While there’s more buzz surrounding the White Sox than the Cubs entering 2020, Ross’ squad still has more proven talent. FanGraphs has a [projected 2020 WAR list](https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=23) that’s updated as teams make moves this winter, and the Cubs edge the White Sox 40 to 38.2. With starting pitchers, the Cubs have a collective WAR of 13.4 to the Sox’s 11.3. Bettors who are bullish on the White Sox going OVER their win total and/or winning the AL Central are optimistic on one (or a few of) these three pitchers: Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease and Carlos Rodon. All have top prospect pedigree but have a combined projected WAR of 2.8 for 2020. Kopech and Rodon are returning from injuries, while Cease struggled mightily as a rookie. But if one of those guys pops, that could push the White Sox past the Cubs, if all else goes according to plan. The White Sox’s projected win total improvement (72 to 84) is among the highest in the league, behind only the Angels and Padres. The Cubs won 84 games in 2019, so at first glance, their increased win total is surprising considering they haven’t added any player of note and will likely lose Nicholas Castellanos. But the Cubs were unlucky last season – [they should have won 90 games](https://www.mlb.com/standings) based on their pythagorean record with a sparkling plus-97 run differential. That factors into their 2020 outlook. The lowly Tigers and Royals, with win totals of 54.5 and 65, respectively, bolster the White Sox’s chances to accumulate wins in the AL Central. The Twins and Indians have higher win totals than the White Sox, but neither is a juggernaut. There’s no dominant team in the NL Central, either, but there’s also no one as bad as the Tigers or Royals, and St. Louis and Milwaukee are solid. The Cardinals have the highest win total in the division at 88. Here are odds to win each division in the 2020 MLB season: ## AL Central <table class="wp-block-table"><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Odds</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Twins</td><td>5/7</td></tr><tr><td>Indians</td><td>5/2</td></tr><tr><td>White Sox</td><td>3/1</td></tr><tr><td>Royals</td><td>200/1</td></tr><tr><td>Tigers</td><td>500/1</td></tr></tbody></table> ## AL East <table class="wp-block-table"><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Odds</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Yankees</td><td>1/3</td></tr><tr><td>Red Sox</td><td>9/2</td></tr><tr><td>Rays</td><td>11/2</td></tr><tr><td>Blue Jays</td><td>30/1</td></tr><tr><td>Orioles</td><td>250/1</td></tr></tbody></table> ## AL West <table class="wp-block-table"><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Odds</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Astros</td><td>5/13</td></tr><tr><td>Athletics</td><td>4/1</td></tr><tr><td>Angels</td><td>8/1</td></tr><tr><td>Rangers</td><td>12/1</td></tr><tr><td>Mariners</td><td>100/1</td></tr></tbody></table> ## NL Central <table class="wp-block-table"><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Odds</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Cubs</td><td>2/1</td></tr><tr><td>Cardinals</td><td>2/1</td></tr><tr><td>Brewers</td><td>14/5</td></tr><tr><td>Reds</td><td>5/1</td></tr><tr><td>Pirates</td><td>50/1</td></tr></tbody></table> ## NL East <table class="wp-block-table"><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Odds</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Cubs</td><td>2/1</td></tr><tr><td>Cardinals</td><td>2/1</td></tr><tr><td>Brewers</td><td>14/5</td></tr><tr><td>Reds</td><td>5/1</td></tr><tr><td>Pirates</td><td>50/1</td></tr></tbody></table> ## NL West <table class="wp-block-table"><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Odds</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Dodgers</td><td>1/6</td></tr><tr><td>Padres</td><td>10/1</td></tr><tr><td>Diamondbacks</td><td>10/1</td></tr><tr><td>Rockies</td><td>25/1</td></tr><tr><td>Rockies</td><td>25/1</td></tr></tbody></table> __BOOKMARK US__: [Full MLB betting coverage](https://www.betchicago.com/mlb-betting)