Best sports bets of 2020
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We've all shifted our attention to ringing in the new year, but let's take a quick peek back at some of the best bets that cashed in 2020.
If you were on any of these, we tip our hats to you. If you cashed multiple, let us know in the comments section what size yacht you wound up purchasing.
Collin Morikawa to win PGA Championship (+2500)
Congrats if you were lucky enough to cash Morikawa to win the PGA Championship at +2500.
The 23-year-old was only making his second major start but entered the final round in contention, trailing Dustin Johnson by two. After a few early birdies put him right in the thick of things, Morikawa pulled off the shot of the year on the driveable par-4 16th. From 293 yards, he hit a beautiful drive that settled 7 feet from the cup then made the eagle putt to move two clear of second place.
Morikawa shot a final-round 64 to come from behind and claim his first major title, cementing his place among the game's elite.
Lamar Jackson to win MVP (+8000)
Many questioned whether Jackson could even hit an open receiver as he entered his second season and first as a full-time starter. He finished the year as the NFL's highest-rated passer by QBR (82.3) and in February became only the second unanimous MVP in the league's history.
Those who bet on Jackson's maturity - including yours truly - were laughing all the way to the bank from Week 1 when the Ravens star threw for 324 yards and five touchdowns on just 20 attempts against the Dolphins. A week later, he ran for 120 yards against the Cardinals, which somehow wasn't his best rushing performance of the year.
The Jackson-Russell Wilson debate was fun, but it became clear halfway through the year that it was Jackson's award to lose. It may be a while before we see such a fruitful winner in this market.
Leon Draisaitl to win the Hart Trophy (+10000)
Let's be honest, if you were betting on any Oilers player to win the Hart Trophy, it was going to be Connor McDavid. The captain previously won it in 2016-17 and was nominated in 2018-19 after leading the NHL in scoring. Additionally, McDavid was the favorite to win the award entering the 2019-20 season at just +350.
Most sportsbooks were of the same opinion, not even listing Leon Draisaitl on their Hart Trophy oddsboard. You had to search long and hard to find a place to book this bet. Draisaitl rewarded bettors' dedication.
The German posted a career-high 110 points in just 71 games, guiding the Oilers back into the playoffs and offering a monstrous payout.
LSU to win the national championship (+5000)
The long shot never really felt like one.
LSU was flat-out dominant from the first snap of the NCAA football season to the last. From a Heisman trophy-winning quarterback to outdueling Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium to the record-setting offense behind the Two Joes - Burrow and Brady - the Tigers' national title run was a future that few can rival.
Bettors didn't endure much blood, sweat, or tears - they rode the bandwagon of a new-age college football offense that had no regard for defenders' families. The 2019 Tigers were simply sick, and to have a bet on them was equally awesome.
Miami Heat to win the East (+5000)
In a star-driven league, the Heat bullied their way to the NBA Finals with a formula that seems so obvious in hindsight. Jimmy Butler excelled in the alpha-dog role as a two-way star, while the rest of Miami's rugged rotation blended beautiful shooting with tenacious defense against some of the Eastern Conference's top teams.
We didn't know prior to the season if Butler could handle a lead role on a title contender. We didn't know if Bam Adebayo could take the next step in his game, if Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson could emerge as legitimate rotation pieces, or if anybody could stop Giannis Antetokounmpo after Kawhi Leonard moved out West.
All of those were answered in the playoffs with a resounding "yes" when the Heat dropped just three games in their first three series to meet the Lakers in the Finals. Had injuries not decimated Miami's starting lineup in that series, we might be reminiscing about a 100-1 title ticket cashed for Erik Spoelstra's crew.
San Jose State to win the MWC (+5000)
The college football season's been a weird one, and few teams were affected more than San Jose State. The Spartans were constantly operating on the fly as a result of Santa Clara County's strict COVID-19 guidelines, having to overcome training camp at Humboldt State, an unexpected trip to Hawaii, and relocating twice in the season's waning weeks.
They persevered quite remarkably, producing an undefeated record and a Mountain West Conference title - beating Boise State as 6.5-point underdogs in the championship game, to boot. It's the program's first MWC championship and first winning season since 2012. The Spartans had combined to go 4-20 in conference play across the previous three campaigns.
San Jose State isn't the most attractive spot in the world, but it has a coach that wants to be there for the next 15 years. Good for the Spartans and Brett Brennan.
Trevor Bauer to win NL Cy Young (+2000)
Given how sharp Bauer looked in 2018 - he finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting behind a 2.21 ERA and a league-best 2.44 FIP - you wouldn't have thought he'd enter the 2020 season with 20-1 odds to win the award.
It was a testament to how bad Bauer was in 2019, a year that saw him post a miserable 6.39 ERA in 10 starts with the Reds after the Indians shipped him to Cincinnati.
His 11 starts in 2020 couldn't have gone more differently: He led the NL in ERA (1.73), WHIP (0.795), and H/9 (5.1), and he set career bests in K/9 (12.3) and BB/9 (2.1). Any bettors who backed him at 20-1 after a miserable 2019 campaign deserved every cent they were paid out.