NL Central Division Betting Odds
(The Spread) – In terms of odds, one of the tightest divisions in baseball this year is the NL Central, where the defending champs are not favored.
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According to oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com, the St. Louis Cardinals are favored to win the NL Central despite Albert Pujols’ current contract situation (a potential distraction all season). The Cards are Even on the money line to win the division crown.
If the club doesn’t allow the Pujols’ contract situation to become a distraction, there’s no reason to think that the Cards can’t take back the Central this year. They have one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, and the middle of their order is dangerous thanks to Pujols (the best in the game) and Matt Holliday.
But if Pujols’ situation and the ongoing feud between manager Tony La Russa and outfielder Colby Rasmus are distractions, then how can you not like the Cincinnati Reds at +300 to repeat? They have the reigning NL MVP in Joey Votto, a solid leadoff hitter in Brandon Phillips and they just added the World Series MVP in Edgar Renteria to provide depth in the infield.
The Reds’ young pitching makes them an attractive team to repeat as well. Their rotation of Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey and Bronson Arroyo is underrated when the group is consistent, and young flamethrower Aroldis Chapman is a weapon in the bullpen.
One team to keep an eye on this year is the Milwaukee Brewers (+350) after they added former AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke via trade in the offseason. Thanks to Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Corey Hart, the Brewers’ lineup will once again be stacked. But the team has long searched for a complement to Yovani Gallardo in the rotation and they may have found one in Greinke (assuming he can rebound from a bad ’10 campaign, that is).
Everyone assumed that the Chicago Cubs (+500) would be in rebuilding mode this year but then they went out and signed Carlos Pena to play first base and traded for former Rays’ starter Matt Garza. If their pitching holds up and they get consistent production out of guys like Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Geovany Soto, they could surprise.
The long shots in the division are once again the Pittsburgh Pirates (+1000) and Houston Astros (+3500). Neither team has enough pieces to make a run this season, although Pittsburgh has some scattered talent.
2011 NL Central Division Odds to Win
Chicago Cubs +500
Cincinnati Reds +300
Houston Astros +3500
Milwaukee Brewers +350
Pittsburgh Pirates +10000
St. Louis Cardinals Even
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