Who Vegas is picking to be the first Astros player hit by a pitch in 2020

A lot has been said and written in the media about Major League Baseball’s punishment (or lack thereof) of the Houston Astros for using an elaborate scheme to steal signs and gain an unfair advantage over their opponents.
Likewise, players around the league have also voiced their displeasure with Rob Manfred’s handling of the situation. Unlike members of the media, MLB players can take matters into their own hands.
Pitchers purposely throwing at opposing batters has always been a part of the game. So, it should come as no surprise that the oddsmakers in Las Vegas are expecting the Astros to be targeted at a higher than usual rate in 2020.
That said, here’s who the oddsmakers at the Westgate SuperBook are expecting to be the first Astros player hit by a pitch in the 2020 regular season.
Odds courtesy of the Westgate SuperBook as of February 20, 2020.
Jose Altuve (4/1)
Altuve had always been well-liked throughout baseball prior to the scandal coming to light. He’s definitely going to be a target of opposing pitchers in 2020, though.
It just so happens that he won the A.L. MVP award in 2017 (the year being tied most closely to the sign stealing), which naturally raises questions about the legitimacy of his accomplishment.
And then there is also the now-viral video of Altuve telling his teammates to not rip off his jersey following his walk-off home run off Aroldis Chapman to send the Astros to the 2019 World Series.
With all that’s transpired, it’s somewhat surprising Altuve isn’t the odds-on favorite to be the first Houston player plunked in 2020.
Carlos Correa (4/1)
Correa has come under fire for saying the Astros won the 2017 World Series ‘fair and square.’ He also came to the defense of Altuve and Josh Reddick, saying they did not participate in the scheme, and engaged in a media war or words with Cody Bellinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
As one of the faces of the Astros, Correa is obviously a prime candidate to be the first player HBP.
Alex Bregman (7/2)
Bregman issued an apology at the start of Spring Training where he essentially admitted guilt. That alone is likely why he was named the odds-on favorite to be the first Astros player targeted in 2020.
Others:
- George Springer (9/2)
- Yuli Gurriel (6/1)
- Michael Brantley (16/1)
- Yordan Alvarez (16/1)
- Josh Reddick (30/1)
- Kyle Tucker (30/1)
- Martin Maldonado (40/1)
- Aledmys Diaz (60/1)
More from The Odds-On Favorite:
- Betting Odds To Be Next Monday Night Football Announcers
- The 5 Biggest Upsets In Super Bowl History
- Betting Odds To Be The First Wide Receiver Taken In The 2020 NFL Draft
- Here’s Who Vegas Is Picking To Win Super Bowl LV In 2021
- Johnny Manziel takes shot at upstart XFL
- Betting Odds For Where Philip Rivers Will Play In 2020
- Here’s Who Vegas Is Picking To Lead MLB In Home Runs In 2020
- Vegas Favorites To Select Tua Tagovailoa In 2020 NFL Draft