Last Updated on April 4, 2010 4:00 pm by Anthony Rome
Cardinals Season Odds
The St. Louis Cardinals are primed and ready to make another postseason run, but do they have enough pieces to get to the World Series? Let’s take a look at their odds.
The biggest move the Cardinals made this offseason was re-signing Matt Holliday to a seven-year, $120 million contract. While they probably overpaid for his services, they needed a quality bat to protect Albert Pujols in the lineup and Holliday was outstanding after the club acquired him from the A’s.
St. Louis also signed starting pitcher Brad Penny to a one-year, $7.5 million contract, as well as infielder Felipe Lopez (one-year, $1 million) and catcher Jason LaRue (one-year, $950K). Rich Hill, Charlie Zink and Ruben Gotay received minor league contracts, while second baseman Skip Schumaker was signed to a two-year, $4.7 million extension.
The Cards parted ways with Rick Ankiel, Joe Thurston, Mark DeRosa, Khalil Greene, Troy Glaus, Joel Pineiro, Todd Wellemeyer, John Smoltz and Jarrett Hoffpauir this offseason.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com have made the Cardinals 12/1 to win the 2010 World Series and 5/1 to win the National League Pennant. They’re also 2/3 to win the NL Central and have an over/under total of 88.5 for number of total wins in 2010.
There’s no doubt that the Cardinals have the best talent in the NL Central and should hold off the Cubs once again this year. But the question is whether or not they have enough pieces to make a series run back to the Fall Classic. One would think that with Holliday back in the mix and Pujols healthy, the Cards have an outstanding chance to play for a World Series title in 2010.
The pitching is excellent as well. Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright headline a solid rotation that also features Penny, Kyle Lohse and Jaime Garcia. The loss of Pineiro hurts, but the addition of Penny will help and don’t forget that the Cards have an excellent bullpen as well, one that features Ryan Franklin and Jason Motte.
The Cards have all the pieces to win this season. Now they just have to get it done on the field.
2010 MLB World Series Odds
St. Louis Cardinals 12/1
2010 MLB NL Pennant Odds
St. Louis Cardinals 5/1
2010 MLB NL Central Odds
St. Louis Cardinals 2/3
2010 MLB Regular Season Win Totals
St. Louis Cardinals Over 88.5 (-130)
St. Louis Cardinals Under 88.5 (Even)
Posted: 4/4/10 4:00PM ET